Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-24

tonight at 12 O'clock Despite the cloudy
weather and misty rain which fell all
through the morning and early after
noon countless throngs filled the streets
"f the business section and crowded the
aisles of the stores and shops.
Burdened down with extra sacks and
bags of mail and packages. Washington
letter carriers emerged from the post
office and mingled with the crowds on
the highways Or on the street cars.
Clerks in the receiving and delivery de-
partments of the post office were rushed
from early morning, and indications are
that they will still be busy asserting mail
when midnight arrives
Busy at City Markets.
Scenes of activity that are only visible
al Christmas time marked the day at the
city markets. the Center Market being
packed with late purchasers since dawn
Despite the oft-repeated admonition of
the shop-early'' advocates the same old
rush is evident at the finish.
The clerks at the Union station and on
the whaGves of the steamboat lines that
terminate here are having a busy time
ing from other places.
The steamers Capital City and North
cumberland. which arrived here from river
points yesterday morning, and the steam
trs Trenton and Wakefield, which arrived
last evening, carried hundreds of small
boxes and bundles containing Christmas
remembrances for Washington residents.
All day today the offices of the three
crowded
persons after their packages. and the
clerks were nearly swamped in trying
10 handle the business. Most of those
who called at the wharves went away
happy with their bundles under their
arms. But there were some sad faces
when expected packages did not arrive.
and il was known that the next steam
ers to come In from river points would
not arrive until tomorrow.
The Norfolk line has also had heavy
business in small packages in the last
lew years, but it is said that the Christ
mas business on the river line boats has
been exceptionally heavy. There has
been n heavy falling off in the receipts
of holly mistletoe and other eversreens,
usual quantity.
Services in the Churches.
In all the churches where the story of
the Christ Child is to he repeated in song
and sermon tomorrow everything is in
readiness for the festival. and branches
of holly and mistletoe garland chancel
and nave. Christmas trees are in place
in nearly every home. mansion and hovel
alike, and the thousands of children in
"a who
Santa Claus are eagerly counting the
hours between now and bedtime.
At the missions special plans have been
made for observance Of the Yuletide. and
various fraternal organizations are assist
ing these institutions In caring for the
city's poor by distributing hundreds of
day. The Mystic Shriners are giving
away 500 baskets of good things at the
National Rifles Armory. on G. street near
9Th street northwest: the Associated
charities began to distribute several hun
and also has a fund of $40 which is be-
ing divided between families Who need
clothing, fuel and food
Baskets OF food are also being given
away at the Salvation Army headquar-
tiers, the Central Union Mission and by
parish branches of the st. Vincent de
Paul Society
Thousands of Catholics in this city and
the suburbs will begin the celebration OF
Christmas by attendance at midnigh.
mass, which will be solemnized In pIac-
tically every church Of that denomina-
tion.
Work of the Missions.
Charles ]. Gates of the Emmanuel Bap