The Washington times., 1909-12-24
Good Will Prevails Among
All Classes on Happy
Occasion.
MIDNIGHT MASSES
IN MANY CHURCHES
Thousands Of Catholics Will Gather
At. Stroke Of Twelve 10
Worship.

The Capital tonight ushers in the mosi
prosperous and happy Christmas season
IN years
Every secticn OF the city breathes
this spirit today The streets are alive
with shoppers. thousands Of them in
the final lap Of the gift-seeldng Nara
thon: merchants are jubiiant over the
return OF General Better Times; chill
dren anxtously count the minutes un-
fn niEhtfau. when St Nicholas can be-
gin his rounds; good cheer prevails
among all classes.
Christmas, 1909. Is going 10 be In real
ity a memorable one.
For the first time in tho history of
Yuletide celebrations practically every
Catholic church in the city viii observe
midnight masses. Heretofore these Bery-
ices have been the exception rather than
the rule.
Crowds on Streets.
The barometer Of Yuletide joys and
conditions is the shopping district The
utmost optimism prevails today along
the marts Of trade. The Avenue, + and
G streets, Seventh and Ninth. and other
thoroughfares where the good things OF
life may be purchased, are chock-a-
block with the bundle-laden ones. From
the street "fal1ir'' who offers you a
bright red balloon to the proprietor Of
the largest department store-everybody
seems happy.
Natur lly. there are the same old wor-
RED looks, because a lot or people didn' {
start shopping earlier. But even these
VIII wear away before midnight, when
the spacious stockings are drawn from
their hiding places and are made TO
~
Ssnta,s pack.
To good weather should be attributed
some Of the credit for the present sea
son Of gladness. The elements never
have been more kind 10 those who had
shopping to do.
An ideal Christmas Eve IS in sight
IN decided contrast to the snowy, dis
agreeable ones Of scme recent years.
A great voE,me OF money in circula-
tion. early shopping, and an Unparal-
leled Christmas spirit, deserve credit
Tor some Of the other good features
OF the present Yuletide.
Merry ChristmasI
Merry Christmas" IS going to be the
slogan. Perhaps il VIII be shouted at
you a hundred times before you go
home tonight; undoubtedly there will
be a grand chorus all day tomorrow.
Everybody. it seems. feels just that
way
But a cursory investigation is needed
TO demonstrate that the rich never
seemed more inclined 20 be cousiderate
Of the poor than now. This has been
evidenced. IN one way. by the generous
response 20 the appeal Of The Times
St Nicholas Girl fofr gifts for the little
children OF the city TO whom Santa has
never come. Hundreds OF dollars
worth Of toys, candles. and provisions
have poured into the Office, and a dozen
automobiles, directed by Santa Claus.
arc now on their house-to-housc good
cheer canvas OF the city.
Although tomorrow will be one OF
Sabbathuke quietude in the business
sections and in the Government de-
partments generally, Il is announced
that the National Museum will be omen
for the inspection Of visitors from Q
a. M 20 4-30 p. m, the usual hours.
Regular Sunday service will be main
tained at the Library OF Congress both
tomorrow and Sunday. All other di-
visions except those known as the Sun
day divisions, viii be closed at 4:3O this
afternoon and remain closed until
Monday
Owing 20 police regulations, the Cant
tals Christmas celebrations are never
Continued on Second PageJ