The Washington times., 1904-12-25
GREAT THRONGS
CROWD STREETS
AND THE SHOPS
Heavy Rain Fails to Ter
rify Belated Purchasers
of Christmas Presents.
ZINE NIGHT FOR DUCKS
Wet Thus Described by
Witty Sufferers From
the Storm.
ZINE NIGHT FOR DUCKS

Lights in Christmas Eve shop win
dows shone bravely out against the
murk and rain last night, and despite
the unfavorable weather conditions, the
stores were crowded and bustling
throng filed the streets.
Those who sought the stores last night
were mostly the belated holiday shop
pers, persons who. through inclination
or force Of circumstances, had post
poned the buying of Christmas gifts un-
til the last possible moment
That there were many such was to be
noted from the number who were to be
seen hurrying home even at a late hour
with packages under their arms.
Charity Abroad.
"A fine night for ducks" was the way
some of them expressed their feelings
about the miserable weather conditions
but that did not seem to deter the
crowds from thronging the streets OF
to cast damper on the spirit of holi-
day cheer that made itself generally
apparent.
In the cold, rain-swept streets many
incidents indicating the good Fellowship
of the Yuletide made themselves appa-
rent. A feeble old woman who stood
on lower Pennsylvania Avenue in The
protecting shelter of an alcove, and who
had Christmas holly TO SELL reaped a
veritable harvest of gift coins, and 9
couple of seedy looking tramps, who
greeted some of the passers-by with
a Merry Christmas, earned the prics
se5f a Christmas dinner oyes and oyer
again.
On account of the raw damp weather
many people stayed at home who would
undoubtedly have come down town to
take part in the usual Christmas bum.
ming parties, and for that reason the
streets were not bright and lively
as Is ordinarily the case at this time OF
the year
One ysell-knewn up town girls school
however. sent a delegation OF ysung
and enthusiastic misses on a hohdaJ
party trip to the shopping section and
the young ladies, with their escorts, al
OF them armed with horns and noise
making apparatus, succeeded In making
things very lively for time.
Delayed by Rain.
At big department store on T
Street the trade was found to be 81
much affected by the rain and tn,
siushy condition of the streets, tha
early in the evening preparations wer
made for closing and the orders wen
out to take stock much TO the deligh
c. the scores Of shop girls who wer
affected by this ruling When the raj
ceased about o'clock, the trade begal
TO liven up again and the clerks ha
all they could do to handle the crow.
OF shoppers that thronged the store.
On Seventh Street the crowd was par
ticularly noticeable. Not only was tn
trade brisk in the stores. but the fakir
who had been brave enough TO hold ou
against the dismal weather, had no diff
Guilty whatever in disposing of thei
wares
Altogether Satisfactory.
Altogether 1t was very satisfactor.
Christmas Eve for trades people, an,
those who take advantage OF this par
ticu;ar time to make their pilgrimag
to the shopping section. Not just sucl
prosperous and lively Christmas Ev
as the streets of Washington are accus
toned to, but then those who stayed in
doors enjoyed it all the more an,
throughout the city many merry partie
gathered about Christmas trees.