The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-25

Christmas the one great day in the
year arrived in Washington on time.
With both hands of the clock pointing di-
rectly upward at midnight. old Santa
Claus and Christmas of 1906 made their
appearance, arm in arm.
Thousands of people have been prepar-
ing for the event for months. Millions
of children have waited with eager antic-
ipation for the arrival of the one day in
the year which is truly their own.
on land and on sea, and from one end
OF the world TO the other Christmas viii
be celebrated to-day along similar lines.
In Washington ana everywhere the day
VIII be the happiest in the lives of many
and the saddcst Christmas in the lives of
others.
Late last night hundreds Of tired store
clerks trudged homeward. They had com
pleted one of the busiest holiday seasons
in the history of the retail trade of Wash
ington Naturally, they were glad that
the day was at an end. Many of the
stores kept open until il o'clock last night
To accommodate the remaining shoppers,
who had waited until the last minute to
purchase Christmas gifts for the young
and the old
In Washington. within the shadow of
the great dome Of the Capitol of the
United States, the President, the govern
nent employees, and the various other peO-
pie all celebrated Christmas alike.
President Declines Many Gifts.
President Roosevelt does not receive in
discriminate Christmas presents. even il
the name of the sender accompanies the
gift. A large number of offerings were
yesterday declined with thanks"
One-of the gifts returned was a pretty
Christmas tree for the Roosevelt chill
dren. 1t was accompanied by box con-
tanning elaborate decorations. II is eX-
planned at the White House that the
President does not wish To have il under
stood that he means offense in returning
these offerings. but that. obviously. ne
considers it impossible TO receive them
from strangers.
The children made the White House
ring with their merriment last night.
There is TO be a large tree. The President
spent a busy day at the executive offices
until after o'clock when he prepared
for his daily horseback ride. He appeared
TO give no heed TO the biting wind, the
most severe experienced this winter.
Washington Is decorated with ever
greens. holly. and mistlctoe as never be-
fore Tons of these green twigs and
branches have been put into use, IN the
windows IN the paTlor. and everywhere
about the various houses and hotels
throughout the city.
Many of the churches began the cele-
brdtion of the great feast on Sunday
Th0us 8nds of sermons in an parts Of the
city, everywhere in the world. and from
the pulpits of all denominations. viii be
preached to-day on the import Of the oc-
Casion-
Services at the Jail.
The light of Christmas Day viii dawr
on many who viii not be able to take
part in the celebration as heretofore. For
The hundreds whose transgressions have
brought them within the prison walls
three special Christmas services will b,
held to-day. The first sermon will be IL
the morning. Another service will be con
Quoted at noon. and the third during th'
afternoon.
A Christmas day passed in a hospital il
one never TO be forgotten. Although Their
are sickness and suffering in the various
hospitals as on any other day, the spiri
of the season enters these institutions
and much is done to make the day
merry one.
At the hospital where there are childre
special effort is made for the entertain
ment Of Old Kris day. The walls O
the wards are decorated with holly an
cedar, and the patients. the little ones, ar
allowed TO receive their relatives an
friends. There is always an extra dinne1
and for once in the year the regular II