The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-12-23

Watch is the watchword Of the sea-
son.
The children watch the chimney in the
expectation Of seeing a little fat man
with white whiskers and a genial req
nose who will bring them the desired
drum or doll. Mother, sister and brother
watch the postman as he makes his daily
rounds loaded like a carthorse and father
watches the shrinking wallet The fire
department watches as nearly as posi-
he every Christmas celebration in the
city to prevent blazes that come with
candles and infiammable evergreen boughs
and the police watch principally the
crowds in department stores and street
cars to catch Christmas robbers and
watch those alluring palaces where the
rot Tom and Jerry lives, breaths ana
has its being to prevent trouble from
Oyer-conviviaIity.
There was a time said Fire Chief
Wagner, speaking of the Christmas sea-
son, when we had a busy time. That
Vas when candles were generally used
toT decoration. But that day has passed
To a large degree. The people have been
educated and now stick pretty well TO
electricity for lighting Christmas trees
and the work of the department has been
l;ghtened appreciably. Just the same, ad-
heranCe TO some general fire don'ts is
necessary to avoid danger OF loss OF life
ard property
Police ALSO Watching.
The police can hardly say as much for
their labors The world is still the same
old sphere, and where crowds with full
pocketbooks gather there are still utili-
tarians ready to tighten the burdens of
their felIow-man by helping to carry the
pocketbooks. Maj. Sylvester's depart
IT,, 81 loct
by a series of petty robberies in the
stores And there still is a popular idea
that the inner man should be thoroughly
warmed and cheered at the chilly Christ
mas season which means more work for
the police.
But it is a jolly time when every one
is gay, and close observers have noticed
that the piles of evergreen trees and
wreaths of holly and mistletoe at the
grocery stores and on the street corners
are gradually diminishing in size There
remains only two days in which to stock
up and make ready the trees and dec
orations.
Many of these decorations will go into
the hotels of the city. AS a general
rule, hotel dwellers are travellers far
from the home where the Christmas cele-
bration is and every effort is made to
supply that want The decorations are
always elaborate and this year will be
no exception to the rule.
Hotels in Holiday Attire.
Not only are the hotels now taking on
their holiday garb the quick lunches
at which many of the city's unfortunates
unfortunate whether they have much
or little money to spend on their Christ
mas dinner-will dine. are bedecked with
holly and spruce and display temphngly
fat turkeys with ribbons tied on their
knee joints and their bosoms decorated
with brilliant cranberries. Long rows of
puddings and pies are laid out. and the
windows are full to OverfiowinG with
oranges, apples, and nuts.
The Christmas preparations have kept
an army of workers busy for the last
month or two One branch of this army
that probably has worked harder, longer,
and at more discomfort than most is the
late, in all sorts of weather. They have
been cut and slashed by vicious winds
and deluged by unkindly waves, but the
world must have its half shells and
oyster dressing for the turkey, and they
have had to stand for much misusage at
the hands of the elements
But the time for them to quit for a
short spell and with the rest of the world
gather around the table for a heartening
Christmas feast is near, and Tuesday
there will be flash of sails in the oyster
feet on the Potomac and the sailors will
start their race for home.