The Washington times., 1902-12-24

kringlc. Everywhere good checr ana
the desire to make others happy pcrvad-
ed the atmosphere. made fragrant by the
odor OF the everEreens and spruce trees
which dealers conspicuously displayed.
a single glimpse in any one Of the big
stores was enough to convince the most
skeptical that all the money in the pocS-
cts of Washington houscholders has not
been expended in an cndeavor 10 keep
warm without hard fuel Clerks busy
selling wares, purchasers busy paying for
them. foorwalkers busy directing custo-
mcrs. and an innumerable army Of small
boys and girls wrapping parcels and de-
livering bundles made things lively
enough in the stores for the most ardent
lover OF the city rush and hurly- burly.
II there is any one thing that always
stands out prominently and pre-eminent-
ly in a Washington crowd il is refine
ment-in dress and IL demeanor. Silks
and satins. foulards and furs. with here
and there a sprinkliug Of less expensive
goods. none the less dainty or effective.
topped with hats Of brilliancy and
matched by the chic high-heeIed low
shoes now prevailing, made the groups Of
women gathered here and there before
some window a sight only equaled by
those seen at the Horse Show.
Equally as Happy.
Occasionally woman on whom the
rays Of life had not shone as brightly as
on her sisters wended her way through
the crowd, gowned IN a more modest
manner, but none the less refined. her
face beaming with kindly smiles. more
than compensating for the lack OF high
priced raiment.
Then. too. the children today-just as
the children OF one hundred years ago
cvinced the same keen delight for the
more modern toy that was shown for
the common rag dolI with painted face
by their grandparents years and years
back. They gathered in swarms about
the shop windows displaying toys and
looked with wistful and hopeful faces
wondering what Kriss KringIe had in
store for them on Christmas morning.
According to men interested in the
loisasy trade the present season II any
thing surpasses that OF last year in
crowds Of shoppers and in sales "Thc
aggregate amount this year may not foot
up as large rs last year" said a men,
Der OF one Of the largest firms. be
cause people this season are buying
smaller articles and less expensive ones
While people are naturally anxious undei
vne prevailing conditions to save as mucf
as possible for the heating problem
yet that characteristic habit Of Amcri-
cans not to be outdone by anything Of
anybody has led them to invent littl.
ways Of procuring Christmas presents
on a less expensive scale.
Run on Drums.
tour OF the stores reveals the pc.
culiar fact that there is q run" OF
drums. Inquiries at several leadini
marts of trade for the noise makers ant
nerve-rackers eIicited the response that
we're nearly out or else we sol,
them all out yesterday" For the girls
there seems to be prevailing fashion
this season for paper dolls. and thes,
articles have been sold in enormous
quantities.
The crowd in Washington in the shop
ping district is densest between 4 an
O'Clock. This is probably caused b!
tho closing Of the various Government
departments. which lets out thousand
OF clerks TO make the rounds Of tn
stores. There Is a slight lull betweei
and O'Clock in the evening. and theI
the night crowds begin 10 arrive. Th'
night crowds in Washington. however
are nothing in comparison to those @
cities where mercantile man1facturin
prevails. and it may be truly said tina
the great majority OF the shopping fl
this city is done by daylight
+ Street. from Ninth 10 Fourteenth
the Avenue. from Thirteenth to Sixth
and Seventh Street, from the Avenue &
the northwest section. constitute the par
OF the shopping district where tn
crowds appear thickest. Seventh Stree
in particular. being the narrowcst G
ALI appears the more eongested.
Electric Cars Crowded.
Within the past few days. and hi
afternoon. IL was almost impossible q
obtain a seat in the electric cars any
where. while tTaversing the shOppin
district These are busy days for th
conductors. while the motorInen are cor
tinually given rights by the needles
and willful small boy. the timid womal
who FIRST darts part way across the trsc
and then back. and the venturesom
road-shouldered man who thinks I
can buck a street car any day.
The clerks and employees in the b
stores are showing the signs Of wear
ness and fatigue hat come from q
perpIexing answering OF the question
How much is this. please:" sometim'
uttered without The kindly and poll
please on them falls a large burd,
Of the making Of others happy. and
one appreciates the end Of the "rust
more than they.
"One more day OF this said demut
litblc miss 10 one Of the stores IN
morning. and then we're done"
What's the price OF this iron wagon
interrupted stoutly built woman. wi
Two children tagging onto her skirt
Before the saleswoman could reply the
came the following query from a mai