davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19
THE HUMAN STRIDE.
Denotes the Character of the Business
Man in Most Respects.

From the New Orleans Times Democrat
There is probably no wider field than that
of the business world in which to study the
different strides of men. There are all sorss
of characters in business in d large city,
and there is every opportunity to study the
Various strides of the business man as ne
daily walks the streets There is no out
side influence brought to bear upon the
man whose STEPS take him ovc- the even
streets of a well-paved city. There is no
occasion for man to acquire any partic-
ular step that is forced upon the sailor or
the farmer the convict, who acquire the
step peculiar to them wholly through habit.
Once these influences are removed the spe-
cifc strides that they acquire in the daily
routine of their lives, whether they be upon
the sea, the farm or in the prison, they
fall back, rather. they adopt the walk
to which they are directed by their indi-
vidual characters. 1t is a scientific fact
that there are certain parts OF the human
frame. certain features, through which the
character of a man can be detected.
The shape OF nose is medium by which
character IS often told The mouth the
lips, also are good bases from which TO
foreteu the character of a person. 1t Is
also claimed that by the eyebrows a mans
character can be sized up. In fact almost
every contour, every line, every bone each
feature OF the human body speaks plainly
for some part of a mans character II
character can be told by the shape of the
nose, by the contour OF a cheek by the lips
a chin, hand, why can character not be
told by means OF mans walk? There are
ali sorts OF men and there are all sorts of
walks. There is the walk of the man who
is conscious of his own Importance There
are hosts of men who have a fine regard
Tor their own Importance, and many Jus .ly
so.
There is the walk of the bashful man
that shy, sef-conscious stride that is seen
SO frequently. A man who walks in this
manner is one of a rather unsta BILE char
acter. man of strong character. who ia
perfectly sure of himself will walk with a
firm steady stride under almost all circum
stances. There is the walk of the horn
bastic man. This man will never hesitat re
In crossing the floor of a public room Ha
VIII walk with a stride that tells Won that
he knows himself. You can spot this sort
or a man almost anywhere by the manner
of his stride. There is the thoughtful man
who goes along with head bent and carer,Ij
stride This man usually walks in exactly
the same even way, unless he happens to be
IN a hurry TO catch street car There ia
the man of careless character who goes
along with arms swinging and legs kicked
out before him as though he did not have
a care In the world. The staggering man
IS easily told by his walk. If a man swag-
gers in his stride it can be generally count
ed on that he swaggeFs all over, in his CON
yersauon. his ideas and in his business
lhefe are other kinds of walks besides
these mentioned, and each style of stride
tells something about the mans Character.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19
AFTER SCHOOL.

began to arrive at the stores in August
and July. when their purchasers were swell
tering in the heat
How the big stores make ready for
Chris mas was told to a reporter for The
Star by the manager of one of Washing
toms largest establishments.
I'VE started In he i'd for the COM
ing Christmas in October of last year. We
looked over samples of toys and fixed
up our orders. You know most of the toys
made in Germany. In February last
our orders were in. and In scores of
the little German hamlets the people were
set TO work making the toys
THE work of these German peasants is
one of the most interesting features of
Christmas. though it is done a long time
before Christmas. For instance, one of our
buyers may have ordered a thousand dozen
of a certain kind of dolls. Those one
thousand dozen, every one of them alike,
We're made probably, In five hundred diff
ferent homes In the mountains OF Germany.
the makers being men and women. old and
young, and in some cases. children
Here are some of the facts disclosed by
the manager:
THE buyers dispose OF the toy question
by May / preceding Christmas. Novelties
in jewelry, etc. are ordered many months
in advance. Books are made up in new
style of binding, odd types of paper being
used. The great problem is to present new
things, or articles which have been used
many years in novel way.
For instance, the umbrellas displayed
must have some distinctive mark to make
them different from umbrellas sold all the
year round. Scarcely had the recipient of
an umbrella gift last year received his
gift when men and women began to coddle
their brains to figure out new conceits.
THE works In the clock remain substan-
tally the same. but the body OF the clock
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19

ents yet unbought. There is no time to
stop and exchange friendly gretLng and
inquire about the family. Instead of the
customary How are you?' the Sinsle word,
''Shopping?" is merely spoken. with only
a slight suspicion of d rising infection, for
the question Is needless
Wagons tear through the streets packed
high with all kinds of queer shaped pack
ages Furniture wagons, those delivering
glassware, some carrying only dry goods.
and others ladeaed with all kinds and de-
scriptions of articles from tooth brush to
a sealskin sack, leave the stores and rush
on to their dest nations.
Loading up times are ones of confus on
at the stores, overseers and men become
nearly frantic, as with Sill s of paper ana
pencil they endeavor to create order out or
the chaos which reigns on all sides Of them.
The sidewalk is packed from W II to curb
with solid mass of Christmas gifts
The men who run the delivery wagons
and the hardworked expressmen have
about the same troubles at tbs time or
year The express offices are. during
Christmas week scenes of great confusion
much shouting and general hustling-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19

causing the drivers of wagons of wholesale
and retail business houses, express COM
panies. letter carriers and others who de-
liver goods and mail matter TO bewail the
one feature of the Yuletide season which
obliges them to give additional time to
meet the demands made upon them in the
delivery of unusually large loads of pre-
cious and anticipated holiday gifts.
The animated scenes thus presented on
the streets and about the large business
houses cannot but attract and command
the attention of the general public.
Now that the great American festival OF
Christmas is approaching the express com
panies In every city of the Union are doing
a rushing business, which taxes to the fun
their forces of men and horses and wagons
and keeps their checking clerks so busy
that they work on hour after hour as un-
conscious of their surroundings as so many
machines Through the hands of the pale
faced clerk pass the orders for all pack
ages sent through these companies, and it
is theirs to see to IL that everything finds
it's way to the proper channel through
which to reach its destination.
The expressman. with his wagon packed
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19

than In the amount as indicated by tho
record of receipts or of weight in tons
handled that makes the holiday season
dreaded by them.
1t Is Just as easy practically to make n
sale of two or three hundred dollars worth
of stamps to one purchaser, a transaction
of daily occurrence, by the one order. Ss
to give out three fives a two and a one to
some single buyer.
From now on the sales of stamps at tho
large city post offices will reach four or
five times the figures of any day during
the summer season.
The Familiar Line.
After the tide once sets in 1t is no I'M
usual thing fer hundreds of people TO be-
in line all day long. blocking the corridors.
They gather like a swan OF bees about
these buildings blocking the passaseways
to the entrance.
The department for the reception of pack
ages In each post office also presents busy
scene previous to the Christmas holidays.
and means much additional work for the
tired employees.
are weighed and handled. and not only do
the bundles at this time increase IN num-
Der. but also in size
The men who make a business of loading
the delivery wagons of the big department
stores have their own troubles. Three, four
or even five times the usual number of
trips have to be made, extra wagons are
put on. more drivers are employed, and
still there is a rush. and shoppers who
leave their purchasing to the last day or
two before the great day find it advisable
TO take many as possible of their pur-
chases with them, in order to make sure of
having them in time
All is hustle and excitement on the
streets, the densely crowded thoroughfares
filled with people. bundle-laden, blocking
the way and forming a confused mass.
Everybody Hurries.
In and out. back and forth, from one end
of the store section to the other, these
shopping friends push and jostle Friends
are met and passed with a quick nod of
recognition and a preoccupied smile which
bespeaks of thoughts of Christmas pres
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19

under one roof anything from a fve-cent
rubber doll to s. 600 automobile. The de-
mands made by the public upon this class
of stores in recent years have forced the
development of a system of preparation
which in its scope IS tremendous.
It may seem strange. but the great
masses of holiday goods which are being
exhibited are the results of efforts which
were begun in October 1902. Many weeks
ago initial preparations were made by sew
eral of the large stores for getting holiday
goods for the Christmas season of year
hence. That statement alone gives an idea
of the immensely Of the task involved in
putting one of The big modern stores on
a Christmas basis
So involved is the task that a staff of
welI-trained men is maintained by each
store who practically labor on the Christ
mas problem from one years end TO the
other.
1t is simply a pleasing mystery to the
average person. wondering where all the
Christmas goods come from, how the
stores get them, all seemingly at the same
time and in such endless quantities, but
behind the mystery there is nothing mag
ical-only long months of hard work on an
elaborate scale.
Some of those cases of Christmas goods
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19
BEFORE CHRISTINA
Scenes of Human Interest on
tbs Streets.
MEMBERS AND FAKIRS
CURBSToNE MERCHANTS WHO
MAKE SUCCESSES.
Letter Carriers and Expressmen Work
Day and Night to Keep Up
With Demands.

Scenes of human interest, incident to the
approaching Christmas holidays, are now
noticeable on all sides in the business world
OF every large city in the Union. immense
volumes of merchandise of every character
being sold, shipped. delivered and handled
by large armies of men, women and chill
dren representing gifts destinAu to cheer
and make happy millions of recipients in
every part Of the country during the joyful
season.
With Christmas near at hand. shoppers
are thronging the streets and stores eagerly
seeking appropriate articles to purchase,
the variety and beauty of the holiday goods
displayed in the windows of the big stores
making really attractive and artistic pic
lures.
The Christmas shoppers are now rushing
frantically from one counter to another,
making purchases for relatives and friends,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19

bleakest places IN the world. The ranch
house stands alone, surrounded by miles OF
life OF sheep rancher IL not a happy one.
He In looked down upon by other ranchers.
On one of these ranches little girl lived
the only child for miles and miles. She
played with favorite lamb. Her only
book was an old story book that some
traveller had left. In It was story Of
Christmas. and the turkey figured prorni-
nently.
What does # mean about the turkey7"
"oh. It's a way they have back east of
eating turkey for Christmas dinner" he
said
rs it good?"
Cant we have a turkey?"
mo way to get one"
Becky thought deeply, then she said, II
know. Well have the beef for Christmas
dinner Promise
What It Really Meant.
Her father promised. This meant great
deal to sheep rancher. Day after day.
week after week, month after month. NUT
ton constitutes the bill of fare. Mutton
stewed. roasted fried-always mutton until
the palate wearies. Beef is one of the
RAJ est treats imaginable
For weeks little Becky thought of the
premise. She was quiet little body. and
she Kept her thinking to herself. She
1 m to have beef for Christmas dinner
father promised she told the lamb
she was fairly trembling with excitement
Whep she came to the table on Christmas
Gay AT last the roast appeared.
Recky locked curiously at it,
~ looks like mutton" she said
IT Is mutton-why not2'' responded her
mother.
Father promised" began Becky Then
In Hood Of tears she ran from the room
Great scott, that's rightT' her father
exclaimed I'D forgotten it was Christ
1t yet
"A storm was rising with gusts of hurry
ing snow but he started out. He was
pcGnd to reach the nearest cattle ranch
The storm grew as the day wore on and
1t was nearly midnight when he returned
ohoer MS arm was huge cut of beef
Kept His Word.
Come on Marie and roast it." he shout
ed TO his wife. beating the snow off. We've
got to have our Christmas roast as soon as
we can. Better late than never
so Becky helped roast it. basting it and
shifting the fragrance of it. and the Mon
taha Family sat down to celebrate their
ShristfnaS when the clock had already
passed on to the next day.
OUTSIDE the four walls that the world is
accustomed to concede TO Uncle Sam he
mas some big and little folks who seem TO
belong to another world. In Alaska. where
% NUT Oh the year Is night and snow and
Ice, Christmas is a merry day TO vounp
hearts in spite of what the Inhabitants Of
the states are used to call a dreary life
there Many Christmas turkey had been
eaten from tin can. but Santa Claus man
ages 10 reach Nome with his boxes Of TOYS
ana goodies that go by way of the slow
steamer journey ~
But In Manila comes the greenest Christ
mas OF al, Where under a tropical sun. the
boys and girls and their elders in the army
Ior that matter, watch for the mails as if
Trey We're cast on desert island and were
waiting FOR ship to save them.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19
EXPRESS WAGONS LINED

mountain-high. is kept on the jump from
early morning until late at night In a vain
effort to keep up with the awful Christmas
rush and promptly deliver all packages
consigned to his care.
Uncle Sans Express.
In general post Offices of the country the
work OF the sorters and carriers OF the
mail has quite doubled and will remain uB-
usually heavy until after the first Of the
year. All the departments are now show.
ing great activity.
1t Is In the stamp and money order and
parcels departments that the Christmas
rush Is felt 1rgt and where 1t keeps up the
longest. even to the cinse of business on
Christmas eve. OF course. the increase In
these branches indicates . corresponding
burden on the whole postal system, 20 that
altogether the three weeks before the 18th
may well be called strenuous
The volume OF business In the post omces
throuehout the country that precedes the
holidays consists to q great extent OF the
smaller transactions.
It y this difference In the kind rather
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19
"A MORNING DELIVERY FROM A LOCAL STORE.

must be different and in many new de-
signs.
Then" said the manager new styles
in frames must he worked out for the
pictures and the most attractive subjects
produced.
Everything in silverware must be new
to appeal to the Christmas buyer, and after
the designs have been worked out the guam
titles to be ordered have to be figured on.
The Christmas stock of musical instru-
n1ents also include attractive novelties.
Christmas time handkerchiefs must b. put
up in fancy ribboned boxes. Silks and other
dress goods are cut in suitable length for
waists, a skirt complete gown put up in
boxes. This is done to simplify the task
when man goes Christmas buying.
And in furniture something new has to
be obtained for Christmas long before the
holiday season is thought of. To get some
thing novel for Christmas men were sent
months ago to tlN orient to study designs.
If q manufacturer deyiseS some eXcep-
tionally handsome pattern in the early part
of the year exclusive use of the design is
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19

sight of those things that make the hearts
of the youth glad.
A visit TO toylaud will ever be a feature
OF the rounds OF the Christmas shopper
Ihere IS no end to the new things that are
to be found this year In this realm of the
small boy and girl. There is everything
imaginable, from the noisy squawker that
awakens in the older person a desire to do
something awful. to trains of cars that run
by real electricity.
The toys Of his age because of the won
derful progress N everything. Oftentmes
prove instructiV" 10 the youthful mind as
well as Il diversion. This is particularly
true of the electrical and mechanical toys
The stores Of Washington present an eX-
ceedingiy attractive appearance The holi-
day business throughout has been of enor-
nous volume, The people as Il whole are
thrifty and happy and that is why the
Christmas or 1903 promises to be one of
JOY and liberal giving
Nine-tenths Of the Christmas shopping is
done nowadays in the big department
stores where the gift buyer can purchase
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19
IN THE CITY SHOPS
With the Throng of Christmas
Gift Buyers,
PRACTICAL PURCHASES
CoUNTRY's PROSPERITY INDICAT
ED IN LAVISH EXPENDITURES.
The Big Department Stores Began
Preparations Over Year
Ago.
isn't she sweet? ?"

isn't she sweet?'
Perfectly b-e-a-u-t-i-ful.'
Il wish l were young again. 1 know l
should be happy with it,
They were standing near the doll counter
IN one OF the big department stores, They
were stylishly dressed young women OF the
Kind who will never get too old to appre-
ciate the pleasures of their childhood.
CLARA Will go into ecstaces when she
gets that doll" said one Of them, as the
ssIeswoman placed it in box and care
fully tucked about 1t numerous pieces Of
tissue paper.
Don't fail to have it delivered on Christ
mas eve" the purchaser continued.
NO it Will he there without fall the
young woman behind the counter replied,
and she Strengthened things about Tor
probable purchasers who were waiting to
be shown the latest creations Of dolldom.
Dolls are a staple commodity about
Christmas time. The little girls of today
are the wives and mothers of tomorrow,
To them their families of "dollies" are as
precious az the children that Will bless
their homes in the years to come.
There has been an enormous sale of dolls
IN Washington for Christmas presents. The
sale thus far, according to one of the man
ayers in a downtown department store, has
been much greater than for a number Of
years.
A tour Of the stores of the national cap
ital Just at this time will thoroughly con-
Vince one that Santa Claus must find him.
self a very busy man this year. For weeks
the places that make specially of Christ
mas gifts have been crowded with shop
pers>
The general prosperity that has attended
the people of the United States has inn
bued them with a spirit of generosity.
Washington has been extremely fortunate,
in common with other cities OF the coun-
try. and her people are attesting their
appreciation by liberal purchases.
What People Are Buying
There is demand this year in excess Of
former years for gifts that are useful. In
fact. there is a growing tendency to elm
mate foibles and other pretty things that
IN the olden days were considered the
proper thing for Christmas presents and to
substitute those things that are of praC
teal value. such. for instance, as wearing
apparel household utensils and jewelry of
the substantial kind
"A few years ago, comparatively, it was
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19
MATCHED ORDERS.
A Stock Exchange Phrase, What It
Means and Why It Is Done.

From the New York Evening Post.
The expression matching of orders,
which has frequently been literally used in
describing operations on the stock ex-
change during the present week. conveys
popular impression of fictitious transac-
tions. Fictitious transactions are specific
ally prohibited under an article of the con-
stitution, and the extreme penalty for its
violation is expulsion for year. Matching
of orders, however, does not fall IN this
category. In the CT Sc of matching" all of
the orders are executed.
The purpose of matching orders Is to
create semblance of activity without any
real addition to the manipulator's holdings.
A capitalist can order broker to sell
1000 shares of given stock and broker b
to buy 1UOO, both for his account: the same
block of stock can be used over and over
for the requisite deliveries, and will prob
ably end in the same vaults from which 1t
came. This week, for instance. there was
an upward movement In Rock Island stock
IN which blocks of 10O0 to 5000 shares
charg ed hands, giving to gullible people
the impression that somebody was taking
large amounts for investment After 35 900
shares had changed hands the price came
back to where 1t started. The stock ex-
change believed that the buyers were all
they tried to sell again, nobody else was in
sight Tie scheme was too transparent
An important recent instance Of match
ing down" was the campaign against Penn
sylvania, which involved the "matchine
down" of thousands of shares day In
addition to the matching, there was a great
deal of short selling and liquidation; but
the volume nominally reached In the trad
ing was ridiculous. The most wholesale
application Of the matching" principle
ever achieved was made by the stock-job-
bling agent OF the ''first Steel syndicate''--
q past master In tricks Of this sort. He also
did pretty well In the matching process
with the new Steel bonds this autumn.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19
AWAITING THEIR LOADS.

Boxes. packages and cases, In all stages
of dilapidation, cover the floors and reach
high up along the walk They come in
from all of the states and are marked for
all sections Of the city.
Racks the Nerves.
It is nerve and brain-racking work TO
sort the stack of stuff and bill it fer the
man who waits impatiently to be on.
From one end of any city to the other
there reigns an air OF general excitement
not to be found at any other time OF the
year. Even bY-strests. which from JAM
uary to the end OF November are quiet and
peaceful become during the two or three
weeks previous to Christmas day busy.
thoroughfares: Ia fact It Ii almost imposs.-
BILE to get Tar from the maddening
crowd"
Another feature Of the holiday season in
every large city IL the presence and promi-
nence OF the street falkir, who can be seen
for two or three weeks preceding Christmae
day.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19

purchased by some store, and an order
given for a large number of whatever it
may be. When the order is filled the arti-
Giles are packed and put carefully away III
some secluded place until the time comes
TO present them for inspection to the Christ
mas buyers.
"Or If a furniture designer in the employ
Of store works out an attractive conceit
a manufacturer early in the summer is
given an order to make number of the
articles and they are kept packed away
until Christmas time
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19
Not So Had.

From the Chicago News.
The great man rushed out and grappied
with the wild-eyed intruder.
What have you tSsref' demanded the
great man.
"A gum Kissed the stranger.
oh. then. It's not so bad. thought you
had camera"