Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-26
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
CARDS IN HANDS OF MANY
SMALL BOYS.
Some Touching Appeals Made to Pedes-
TRANS in Holiday Shop
ping Crowds.

Dodging in and out of the Christmas
crowds on the business thoroughfares of
Washington during the recent busting days
Of preparation for the holiday season were
scores of boys. black and white. big and
little, greeting the scurrying pedestrians
with printed Christmas greetings in many
designs and coors and varied styles of
composition. These cards were thrust into
the hands OF men and women with the
request:
CIV wot yer pleas mister, an make a
poor boy happy
The printing of these christmas Greet
ings" has become quite industry In this
city, and cards or slips of paper are fur
nished for so much per dozen to bootblacks,
BARRIERS. newsboys. crpples and blind per-
sons, containing sentiments in verse which
are supposed to appeal to the purses of
light-hearted holiday buyers. There is a
poet-printer in this city who does a rushing
business at this season by selling greet
ings Of his own composition to urchins of
the streets. The idea, was suggested to him
by the New Year greetings which have for
many years been distributed by newspaper
carriers among the people they serve
through sunshine and shadow, rain, snow
and storm.
In these twentieth century days holiday
greetings have come into pretty general use
After you have your shoes polished the
polisher is apt to hand you pink or yell
low card headed in large type. ''Bootblaek' s
Christmas Greeting, which informs you
that
christmas is with us once again
And the bootblack calls on you,
To help him on lis weary way
By giving nickA o. two.
"His lot is hard and his pathway rough,
Yet he sticks to his duty true,
So help him enjoy his Christmas day
By giving ii nickel or two.'
BARRIERS Christmas Greeting.
Then there is the BARRIERS Christmas
Greeting" copies Of which are handed out
by "tonsorial artists in some of the city s
shops to patrons who have just had their
Christmas shave or hair cut. No verbal ap-
peal for a cash contribution to the Santa
Claus fund of the wielder of razor and
shears Is made. None is necessary for the
colored card makes the appeal in cold type
and in rhythmic measure. Here Is what the
patron reads: rt
s''How are you patron? Here take seat
In your barber's easy chair
He'll shave you clean and make you look neat,
And brush and comb your hair
He will pay the greatest attention to you,
g. And wish , you merry r! ,t goo J., time
To help him enjoy this greatest Of all
RI The ,h hSdf ss # the ones ssa feel glad
And filling their hearts with cheer"
The poet-printer has variety of News
boys Christmas Greetings in stock from
which his patrons may select the poetry
of their choice. The little vendors OF news
form the greater number of his customers.
hence his desire to give them just what
their fancies call for.
Last year." he said. II got up something
real nice and touching Gin more senses than
one). for the newsboys. but it didn't seem
to catch them. One Of them said he wanted
something more plain as my special effort
was ''uppish poetry that hat, wouldn't take,
takes like wildfre and hundreds of boys
are selling them:
when Christmas bells are pealing,
And YOU generous ones are treating,
why not turn with fellow feeling
To the newsboy with his greeting?
He serves you late and early,
Though you may not Ike bis capers,
And though you may treat him sury,
You are glad to get his papers.
You have made him very weary,
And don't you think you oughter
Make his Christmas time more CHEEKY
BY q ten-cent piece or 9uarterr'
Carried on by Colored Man.