Evening journal., 1902-12-26
Santa Claus Left His
Footprints in the Snow
Which Fell As He Was
Making His Rounds
Streets Were Crowded
About Church Time,
But i4 the Afternoon
Were Deserted

IL has been years since Il showed on
Christmas Day. Clear and balmy. or
cloudy and rainy, has been the record
OF the natal day for the past decade,
without ever vestige OF a mantle OF
snow, however light 10 was In 1892
that Wilmington was last powdered
ith the dust OF Boreas That day the
snow began to fall about Z o'clock In
the morning and continued until noon,
and resumed again at z in the evening.
II was light fall, summing up to but
half an inch.
But the succeeding Christmas DAYS
for the most part were mild, and
though snow was scattered all about the
day, none fell upon II until about in
the first hour OF yesterday, when a fine
anow began outlining the trees I'm
delicate lace work. and covering the
midnight pavemcnts with a down that
made the footballs Of the late wander
ers silent
II was gentle falling snow, gentle
as the drop OF summer dew. that laid
It's virgin fakes over streets. house tops
and fields. IL fell softly until 8 o'clock
In the morning.
In the suburbs, however, and the
the country side everything was
shrouded in the mantle OF white. It
was enough to lend that Christmas
favor TO the scene which has been so
long wanting. Brandywine Park, with
whitened trees and lawns, presented a
characteristic winter landscape.
In the mid-morning the streets were
well peopled with those on their wav
to church, the women wrapped snuglv
IN furs and the men with hands In
oVercoat pockets, stepping brislSly In
the eager air. But like all other Christ
mas Days The afternoon witnessed the
streets comparatively deserted. fire and
liable sides being far more attractive
than the outer air.
Day Observed Quietly
Il was a day OF peace. rest and ham
piness for all. and it is doubtful N the
poor OF this city were ever better treat
ed. There was q determined effort 10
reach all. and IL did not fall very short.
Many a home that did not expect 10
have much 10 make the day a memor-
able one we're made glad by the whole
sale distribution of presents.
Exchange Of Presents
Business was brisk in the big stores
again today, when the annual exchange
OF Christmas presents began. Theirs
will be one merchant who will not ex-
change goods. The Christmas tree
vender quit business Wednesday night
until next December.
There were but few places OF bnsi-
ness open during the day, almost every
one enjoying the occasion In quiet
manner and a spirit OF good cheer seem
ed TO pervade throughout the city.
The local theatres were well filled
10th at the matinees and the night per
fOrmances. It would have been i'm,
possible to accommodate a larger mum.
ber because the houses would not holC
them.
Services in the Churches
In the Catholic, Episcopal and Iaith,
leran churches, as we'll as I'm mano
lothers. elaborate services in commem
loration OF the birth OF the Saviour wer,
held. The services began at early mas
lin the Catholic churches. Many OF th'
lchoirs were accompanied in the musi
eal programs by full orchestras Manr
of the Protestant churches will no
hold their Christmas services unit
Sunday.
business WAS at a standstfll excep
lat the express company offices. Cele
brations had been held at many fac
tories and other places OF business da-
before yesterday.