The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-12-25
NOISY BUT SANE
How the Crowds Put in
the Christmas Eve Time
on the Streets.


passed off-not quietly-but decently.
The frequent PRONUNCIATION of the
police that the ordinances of the city
with repest to the discharge of fire
works and the carrying of revolvers
would be strictly enforced, was gener-
ally effective The rule laid down was
in some cases disobeyed, but not fla
GRAVITY The crowds were orderly
and there was no rowdyism of Sc
rious character. The stores were full
of belated shoppers and did a Dig
business. and the streets were crowded
from dusk until late at night with
merrymakers.
Drunkenness was at a decided dis
count, and this despite the fact that
there was plenty to drink. Hundreds
of men were walking bar-rooms, their
pockets fairly bullying with black
TASKS, but curiously enough, there
were scarcely any "drunks" visible
The obviously inclined cOntented
themselves with calling their friends
into the various drinking places and
indulging in Christmas toastS before
gong on the streets to take up the
same amuSementS and in no more dis
orderly a manner than those INDUCED
in by the strictly sober The holiday
lark consisted as a rule of good
deal of talk and chaff, the shooting
of a bunch of fire-crackerS and the
frequent popping of the torpedo sticks
and the blowing of paper horns. The
police were on the watch but found
little to do, seeming to enjoy such
festivities as were INDUCED in by the
crowds almost as much as the partici-
pants. Altogether, the lid was taken
off, without display of rancor or ugly
spirit, the people were happy and
sober and the evening one that will
leave a pleasant taste in this morning s
mouth. AS a contrast with the scenes
attending Christmas eve of last year
the night, while noisy, was as lamb.
At the hour OF twelve the noise,
which has been incesSant since early
evening of course trebled in volumn,
but lasted for only short while until
the people all over the city settled
down finally to wait for the coming
of Santa Claus.
The only citizen seen who was hors
du combat during the day was a resi-
dent of the country who had incau-
tiously carried holiday load into
close proximity with the hot stove in
the office of the Register of Deeds
The result was naturally q deep SUM
Der from which it was with difficulty
that he was awakened by the office
force when they started out late in
the evening to do their Christmas
shopping. This citizen presented a
fine spectacle for a lurid passage in
q temperance speech. He would have
made a fortune for a platform rum
chaser. He had a face with peren-
NAL growth of two weeks beard, a
Napoleon lock athwart his forehead
and red eyes that opened with the
sleepy SagenesS of drink upon a world
which he had learned by experience
was soft hearted enough to attnd to
those who could not help themselves.
Consequently, this individual was not
worrying. When the office was closed,
he shut UP like q jack-knife and per-
mitted himself to be carried. He was
deposited in the dark on one of the
benches in front of the grand jury
room and left to cool off. After an
hours stay in that location he
aWoke at length penitent and dry and
proceeded to his home where let it be
hoped he can today enjoy his turkey.
One of the sights of the week has
been an original genius known to all
Raleigh people who has devoted two
days to the amusement of the public
With a complicated brass horn which
must have seen service with the first
"darkville" band he made ambitious
musical finger play while he sang pop
ular ditties and local hits into the
mouth piece. In appearance, this
gentleman relied upon his hats for
distinction, wearing on Friday a straw
cart wheel affair four inches across
the brim and on yesterday a derby not
three inches wide; in manner he pre-
served his dignity with only an occa-
siOnal smile; and he justified his ex-
istence by a never falling wit.
Nobody WAS too important for this
party to assail and his illusions were
of a delightfully."- personal character
that amused the crowds and also the
victims-when they had tarried to
hear the next man catch it where the
rooster celebrated Christmas.
Mr.. Joseph IL. PoGue, for instance
his chest thrown far out with Christ
mas JOY. was walking rapidly along
Fayetteville street when he was hailed
by the citizen with the horn. Mr.