The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-25
Childhood Awoke From
Dreams to Reality of
Presents.
YULETIDE SPIRIT KEEN
Churches Open. Offices
Closed, President Happy,
and People Rejoicing.

In the gray dawn of the early morn
ing. when the great city which is the
capital of the nation lay quiet and
asleep. undisturbed by the rattle of
noisy milk chariot in the distance, the
rumbling of the bakers brougham. or the
shrill call Of the chanticleer over on the
Virginia shore. a huge automobile with
trinkets and games and confections and
all the products of toyland. and guided
by the firm hand of white-bearded old
citizen. glided swiftly up the Avenue
IT turned into a numbered street and
a home where the evening before a
pair of bright little eyes might have
been seen peeping out into the dark
ness. The eyes now lay closed in slum-
Der.
With silent tread. for his feet were
muffied with softest wool. and in a man
ner most mysterious. the white-bearded
individual entered. He might have been
burglar. but If so he was welcome
one. He entered bearing boxes and
none.
In an instant he was again in his
electric vehicle and speeding away.
Here and there. it seemed at almost
every house. he stopped. but for period
Of time so short as TO be we'll nigh
incalculable.N
Then he was gone. and no one could
tell where. any more than they could
guess the place from whence he came.
Finding the Stocking.
But he had no sooner vanished than
childhood Washington awoke from it's
dream and myth OF Santa Claus 70 the
realization OF the unquestionable fact
that this was Christmas morning. for
the stocking suspended from the man.
tel piece on the night before had been
flied TO overfowing. so full in fact
that many OF the gifts had 10 be placed
upon the floor beside the hanging
hosiery
The silent. mysterious. quickly vanish
ing old gentleman in the automobile was
kriss Kringle. There could be no doubt
of that, for there were the beautiful
presents he had brought
An Up-to-Date Santa.
Santa may be old and gray. but he is
still 1.-THE and agile. and moreover. up
tO-date. For this cline he has discard
ed the old fashioned sleigh and string
Of ieetfooted reindeer for the more
modern auto. His sealskin coat and fur
cap are preserved in moth balls. and
he now makes his rounds clad in a rag
Ian OF latest pattern and wears an opera
hat, but he is still to the little ones the
same dear old fellow with rosy cheeks
cd -
toys and dolls and candy and ali the
good things which delight the small folk
as he was in the days OF yore when the
now old bald pate was young and
dreamed the most delightful dream OF
childhood's innocence. the dream of the
mythical Santa Claus
The Christmas Spirit.
For weeks Washington has been pre-
pairing for this day. as il does every
year-but Washington is no different
from any other city whose citizens ac-
cept the doctrine taught by Him who in
Bethlehem of Judea was born .9O4 years
ago. The fruition OF all the effort put
forth for the past month or six weeks
20 make this day the most joyous OF all
the year is fully realized today.
Everywhere the spirit of Yuletide
IltNaiAt. Nit NFA- dAAlDHbifit - lDuttg
filed with it, It is echoed I'm the shouts
and laughter of merry children. it is re-
fected I'm the smiling countenances OF
older persons. # is illustrated by decor
atiOns OF holly and mistletoe and ever
green. wreaths hanging in the windows
OF CHEEKY homes. trees gIistening witt
tinsel and with boughs laden with gifts
standing in corner OF the parlOr: Il is
evident from the depleted shops and
bare counters of the retail stores and
the bursting Golfers OF merchantmen; II
exudes from the culinary department OF
the household from whence comes the
appetizing aroma OF the bountiful Christ
mas dinner: IL Is apparent in the relax
(Continued on second PaeeD