The Washington herald., 1907-12-25
SHOPPERS IN RUSH
Christmas Eve Buyers Crowd
the Downtown Stores.
GREAT JAM AT LAST MINUTE
jolly Vigil of Street Statesmen
Among ScurryinG Human Tide-PO-
ing People Hurry Home with Gifts.
Many shoppers in the Streets.


night in the last rush before Christmas.
II was a well-behaved crowd. There
was the absence OF the bells and noise.
which signalize the festival OF Hahow-
cen, but the hesviness Of Thanksgiving
was not there either. so that the crowd
was merry 10 the right degree.
All seemed TO have a purpose. Perhaps
it was the purpose. more than anything
else, that rendered it attractive They
were bent on some errand or other
whether II was TO buy a Teddy bear or
railroad train for the boy. a doll for
the girl or a rocking chah for the mother
The restless feet beat the same Ameri-
can tattoo Of hastiness that they beat on
common ordinary days at work. although
this was the nigat preceding the one
holiday common to more than half the
world.
Down the Avenue.
They streamed down Pennsylvania ave
nue. along and C streets and in the
other quarters of the town. which has
SO much to attract the spender and the
happy Christmas buyer. All kinds Of
stores, from those that sell anything
from a cotton mask TO "A grand piano
10 those that deal in Christmas postcards.
we're filled long before S o'clock. and kept
hlling faster and faster until few hours
before midnight
The oyerworkcd clerks. thinking posi-
bly, Of their own day Of rest and its ac-
companying pleasures. We're not too
grouchy or grumpy. in spite of their
long week of toll Everywhere was the
spirit Of the evening; the spirit Of a
nation ready TO give and to receive on the
best OF all holidays.
The crowd itself was a study. Here was
man half drunk. celebrating, in his own
way, the coming o. Christmas Here
We're a man and his wife, stolen away
from their children, 10 return at mid
night q make that yearly visit dear 10
the childish heart.
Girls and their SWANS. from the city
itself or from the country from which Il
draws. stopped before the windows
laughingly bought misteltOe or holly and
entered other places 10 purchase some
trinket 70 bind their first love more
closely
Down on Pennsylvania avenue. near
the market, rows Of negroes, well sup
piled with misteltoe and holly. not 70
speak Of Christmas trees. kept a Jolly
vigil among the scurrying human tide.
Little fires, around which We're grouped
negro men in overcoats and negro women
with many colored shawls. and beauti-
fully besmoked clay pipes. 1T up the old
historic street as II isn't lighted up in a
years length Of days
Around the Big Stores.
The crowd became thicker around The
big stores and in them il soon became 2
thing OF moment 10 get 10 a counter TO
make a purchase. The spirit Of the
evening. however. kept all those there
who really wanted to buy until the last
toy had been safely tucked away in hub
by's unresenting arms.
Even the old green and blue street cars
that do not usually look Ike the personi-
fication Of beauty. or grace. assumed a
more pleasing appearance when the
Christmas air surrounded them. Police
officers, stationed near busy corners. to
prevent too much congestion or too much
rowdiuess. had but little 70 do. as the
thousands who were out were quick
themselves. and in but little need Of tie
spur
The shop windows, dressed for many
weeks beforehand. were aglow with
lights. The reds Of shaded lamps.
mingled with the finer shades OF a silk
gown brought from ten thousand miles
70 grace a lady Of America, made the
street alleys lined with pictures The
flower stores. dressed in the hues OF the
country and the greenhouse. looked in
I deed the embodiment OF holiday.
But above and around it all. the peo-
PIE who make Christmas. and for whom,
4 was made, looked their best. For the
>cOntentment that comes with forgetting
self in the attempt TO make others happy
I can't but lend a glow to even the most
hOmely face and make il shine with a