Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-23
STREETS THRONGED
Christmas Spirit Is : Rife
Among Shoppers.
WINTER ASSERTS HIMSELF
Skating on Small Ponds Gives Hope
Of Better Things.
LETTERS TO SANTA CLAUS
Hundreds of Children Send Missives
to Patron Saint-Little Eleanor.
Irelan Asks Aid for the Poor.
LETTERS TO SANTA CLAUS

| With the streets and shops filled with
busy people: and all of the spaces about
the market place piled high with fattened
fowl and other good things Of life, not
to mention the stacks of holly and mistletoe
and laurel and Christmas" trees, even the
hardened cynic, who processes that all of
the days On the calendar look just alike,
must have an inward consciousness that
this is the season of seasons, and that
there is some subtle sentiment attached
to the holiday time which makes the great
majority of people happier and better
King Winter has been doing his level
best for week past to give all out-of-
doors Christmasy feeling, and the only
boon which yet could be asked of him
would be a mantle of snow for the
ground. 1t is understood that Jack Frost
weather man to produce enough snow
for Young America to use to try his new
sled. though a real storm with drifts
and snow to spare for forts and snow
men does not seem to be on the cards.
Skating on Ponds.
The cold weather already has permit
ted skating to assume its rightful place
az the leader in winter sports. Each day
VI tiiC past WcSh llc SuTldCS u Tie river,
with the exception of the very center of
the channel. has been coated with ice
from shore to shore, and the tidal basin
also has been well covered with King
Winters mantle. But several more days
of Christmas weather will be necessary
before these surfaces will be safe for
the skaters.
and the madding crowd Of common, or
garden skaters. have been getting con-
siderable practice, however. on all OF the
ponds in and about the city. The old sea-
lion pond at the Zoo has been open for
skating all Of this week, and Chevy Chase
lake also. bears a heavy covering of
smooth Ice.
Christmas trees and green's of all sorts
are fairly plentiful. but the prices de-
manded for such decorations are soaring
higher aud higher as the passing DAYS
make 1t obvious that the local market is
not overstocked. Virginia pine trees. from
nearby groves may be obtained today for
prices as low as 80 cents, but any sort
of pine or balsam from the woods of
Maine commands from 81 to 81. Turkeys,
too, another necessary adjunct to Christ
mas, are rapidly climbing into the class
Of luxuries-and prices as high as 80
cents per pound were reported at the
larger markets this morning.
Toyland Delight.
Toyland is the continuing delight OF the
little folks. some of whom are permitted
to accompany their parents into Santa
Claus supply departments in the down.
town stores. These visits have inspired
many letters to that patron saint of
childhood-Kris Kringie. One letter, adj
dressed to Mr.. Santa Claus at the
North Pole,'' and marked Important"
was mailed up the chimney at the family
home in Summit Point, W. Va, by Miss
-
Irelan, former chief clerk at the patent
Office, and 1t came down in Washington.
Miss Irelan's missive was full Of the
spirit of Christmas, the joy of giving
pleasure and comfort to others. and it
Is printed so that Santa Claus may know
that it Is desired particularly that he help
the poor:
Asks Santa Claus to Aid Poor.
Dear Santa Claus: I want a sled.
a doll with brown hair and blue eyes,
a pair Of slippers for Julia and a new
dress for Helen. my little doll: but. now.
don't forget I want a box of candy. too.
But, now. 1 want to tell you something.
Don't forget the poor would help
them If could, but I am afraid can't
Hearts Delight, summit Point. W. Va.
SO. as 1 said, don't think we can do
much. But II i can do one blessed thing
write and tell me, and Eli do my very,
very best. Try and help the worst ones
of. Now, If you'll have to give part
of the things you are going to give to
me to the poor little children, why, please
do so. Well. Pn have to say goodbye.
Your little tE!fasi 1REnAs.
Summit Point. w. Va
The following letter to The Star speaks
for itself:
"Will you kindly allow space in your
valued paper in which to thank the
"Neighbor' who sent such a generous
donation of toys to the children Of the
Washington City Orphan Asylum, 1879
18th street northwest?
1.-THE gift was deeply appreciated, and
as we have no way of knowing the name
OF the donor, we take this method of
acknowledging the courtesy.
IN r., SOJrIRE,S Natron