The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-12-25
Into ali Homes Christmas
Brings Good Cheer.
APPROPRIATE CHURCH SERVICES.
With Song and Praise the Natal
Day is Observed by People Of
All Denominations Fea-
lures Of the Day.
Merry Christmasl"
Same to you!"

Same to you!"
These words were on a hundred thou
sand tongues in Washington today. It was
the same old greeting. the same good
cheer, perhaps intensifed-for each sue
ceeding Christmas seems to be merrier
than its predecessor. Il. such thing is
possible. Today good feeling everywhere
predoninates; there is JOY in hearts
which are more accustomed to sorrow
han to mirth. and. indeed, unfortunate
are they VINO this day are not affected by
the prevailing spirit OF YuIetide.
The wheels OF industry are stil!ed. the
marts of trade, 50 congested and busy. Of
late, are deserted, and a reverentiaI hush
is over all. broken only By the gladstone
strains OF Christmas carols. the ripping
laughter Of happy children, and the Oft
heard salutations Of Merry Christmas
and Same to you"
All Business Suspended.
Nearly all places Of business. The
stores, the shops. the banks. the Offices.
and the departments are closed and those
who tenant them are rejoicing in the
sports, the Tecreations, and the big din
ners for which this day is celebrated in
grateful remembrance Of al that Christ
mas commentaries
Even the grey uniformed carriers Of the
Postoltiee Department, whose duties are
always most 7ardUous at this season of
the year, are today having a half holiday
The employees OF the express and delivery
companies worked until early morning
distributing the tangible evidences OF
good cheer that they might rest today.
JOY and Good Cheer Abound.
The day slawreI with skies overcast
and cloudy. but this did not affect the
general feeling OF joyousness. The dav
was balmy and warm, and occasionally
the golden orb broke forth from behind
the hazy veil. and smiled upon the scenes
below where radiant faces reflected the
happiness IN which almost everyone re-
joiced- The little folk were up long be-
foTu rI1e uzTn ana scaupeTTGg -
deshabille 70 the places where hung the
well flied hosiery. for old Santa had be-
slowed his donations with generous and
unstinted hand
There was JOY in almost every home. in
the palatiaI domiciIes Of the prosperous
and the humble cottages Of the pool. for
by organized ana individual effort sweet
charity had done her utmost to make glad
those who otherwise would have aad no
Christmas cheer # any were overlooked.
and there we're doubtless some Isolated
cases. it was not because the good peo-
pie Of Washington had not IabOred with
untiring energy during the past few. weeks
to search out the needy and remember
them with suitable and useful gifts.
work Of Ehe Churitiex
The Associated Charities, the Central
Union Mission, the Horneward- Bound
Mission, the AInas Temple Of Mystic
ohriners with their donations OF 500
riehly-stocked baskets Of provisions. and
dozens Of other organized societies scat
tered bounty with lavish hand. Thous
ands Of proud birds have been sac
rihced in order that the hungry might be
fed; that their palates might be tiekled
with unaccustomed deIeacies.
Hundreds of business concerns present.
ed their employees last night with tur-
keys; others bestowed their gifts in
money, and it is estimated that the money
gifts OF the business concerns Of Wash
ington for the Christmas exceed 5000. Gee.
Every empIoye OF the Adams Express
Company yesterday received a ten-dolIar
Treasury note; the Capital Traction Com
pany presented each man upon It's rolIz
with a 50 bill; but these were only minor
incidents Of the generosity Of tnase who
had the means 10 give.
Day FittinsIy Celebrated.
The day was dttingIy celebrated In all
of the churches there were appropriate
services where thousands gathered, and
listened to the story of the Christ child
told in song and sermon. Holly ana ever
green and mistletoe. those mystic sym
bols Of the YGletide season, were every
where to be seen. for a Christmas Day
without these decorations would have
seemed most singular
At most OF the embassies and legations
there were appropriate observances OF the
day, in some cases there were big din
ners, at others Christmas trees
Even among those who do not accept
tne tenets of the Christian faith there
we're evidences OF desire while in
Christian city to do as Christians de-
Therefore Christmas was celebrated at
the Chinese Legation, the Turkish Lega-
ton, and at the homes Of the japanese