The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-27
More Money Spent for T fireworks.
Probably Than Ever
Before.
RELIGIOUS SERVICES
LARGELY ATTENDED
s1hc Music Was Excellent and
Brilliant-Bonfrcs and Pyro-5
tcchnic Displays the Fea-y
turc oithc Eveti11g Among y
the Members Of the
Rising Generation.
Rising Generation.

Christmas Day wns most satisfying.
Hardly ever was there Christmas in
Richmond SO generally observed. Every
place OF business was closed every church
&: worship was opened. and bright fires
blazcd in every home.
Tho rain doubtless had much effect
t.rons the manner OF the celebration. Dur
ing portion OF the day the streets were
tEinly populated. Umbrellas and over
shoes were then the necessary accompani-
rrents. The homo was the place delight
ful. a{
sumptuous dinners, all manner Of de-
lightful fruits and nuts. bright open iires,
reunions OF long separated loved ones,
these wcro some OF the contributions
which made the day ,feet-footed and en-
scyablc In passing, and now set apart
!. In the c-calcndari as an enduring menl-
ory.
Tho rain began about Z In the morning
and while In the afternoon and evening
little rain fell, the clouds never lifted. :.
lit would he Inaccurate to say that the
gloom was not lifted There was no
gloom, even behind prison walls. There
was sunshine In the hearts OF all which
no gusts OF rain-wct wind could drive
cut Thousands OF little acts OF kindness
4 made tho day happy for tho givcr and
for him who received. hill
In Gods Houses.
+ Religious services were swell attended,
despite tho weather. Earnest dscolrses,
an OH the birth and mission OF tho Sa-
viour. and bright and very beautiful music
are memories cndurable which thousands
srrled to their homes and will carry Into
their lives through all coming years.
After church tho visiting period OF the
day came. Friend dropped In to SEQ
<r;rnT tn hIna inadoi u.tfhs praSent tS yyere
admired. Every ono kept open house.
Later In tho day in many homes families
and friends began to gather for the an
l,lal reunion. Dinner was served from
4 to o'clock and around heavily laden
trblcs happy families woro reunited. chat
ted and laughed. and made prandial ef-
fcrts which would have been renowned
Lad they not been so universal.
The social clubs were scenes OF many
brilliant gatherings. Hardly a member
OF any OF tho clubs who did not drop
around some timo during the day for a
chat with friends. The fine, cheerful
feeling among all satisfied to Il degree not
often experienced. Christmas is tho
greatest holiday tho South knows. 1t Is
the day on which one often feels that he
is wasting .imc unless In n high state OF
excitement and engaged upon something
far out Of the ordinary. Friday 1t was
f.nterent. Many were heard to say they
felt ~ II nothing were lacking. They
were doing Just what they wanted to do.
An atmosphere, too subtitle to define. per-
vadcd all. Every prospect was pleasing
and man wasntgso vile, after all.
Blaze Of Fireworks.
Family reunions and little house par
ties extended far into tho night, while
large audiences filled the thcatres.
Perhaps never before in many years
have expenditures of money for Christ
mas pyrotechnics and fire crackers eX-
ceeded those of this year, At many
points In tho streets the snail boys.
aided and abetted by some large ones.
collected all the old barrels, garbage
boxes and everything IN nflanmnl1le they
could get, and puilt bonfires, which were
kept blazing far into the night. Around
these swarms Of small boys were gath
cred, firing pop-crackers and Roman can.
dies. ana In many cases toy cannons and
al manner OF explosives. In many cases
the boys would put large pop crackers
under empty flour barrels, and thus add
to tho reVerberation OF thes explosion.
Many a garbage barrel was missed from
its accustomed place yesterday morning,
people begrudged them their fun. how.
over. ana in almost Inll cases he loss OF
tile barrel was taken phIlosophically.
Family Reunions,
Christmas In Richmond was conspicll-
ously n season of family reunions. Jan
hundreds OF cases long sundered members
of family gathered around board
laden with the best to be had IN the line
OF edblcs. notwithstanding the scarcity
and high prices of turkeys, many tables
were adorned with handsome birds IS ] II
the afternoon and evening calling was IN
order, and was indulged in by many. Al
4 hundreds or homes egg-nog OR wines was
served to guests. Generally, however
Young and old like spent tho day Huietly
around the home fireslac. .