Evening journal., 1913-12-26
XMAS JOY
DESPITE RAIN
Entire City Joins in indoor
Celebration Of the Ma
tlVity
SICK ARE MADE
GLAD WITH GIFTS


downpour Of rain. has oass-d and is now
as far of as ever. Owing to the dis
agreeable weather the local celebration
was spent indoors. The Attendance az
the church services was not interlered
with. as fortunately the rain held of
until after the noon hour. The church
services, especially in the Catholic
churches. were elaborate and of an inn
prcssive nature
As usual Christmas brought more
cheer TO the children, whose eager eN-
pcctations were fulfilled by the long an
ticipatod visit from old Santa Claus.
The bad weather did not affect their
pleasure. and il is safe 20 say that many
of them, unless they had a new coastcr
wagon which they wished to try out
outdoors, did not even know it was rain
ing.
Thanks to charity, the poor Of the city
shared in the Christmas cheer, and II rs
believed that through the various agen-
cics but few of the deserving poor, II
any. were overlooked. The Salvation
Army. the Associated Cha-ities and the
st. Nicholas Girl have done good work,
tho extent of which would be difficult 60
estimate The poor children who were
not otherwise remembered were made
glad yesterday by the presentation oi
gifts az the County Court House, and
altogether it was a Joyous Christmas, SO
ID nattered not If the rain fell without,
there was 10y and gladness about the
family iresidc
Christmas trees were numerous
lthroughout the city, and were even
more handsome and elaborate than
ever. due TO the latest novelties that
have been invented TO show on the
trees TO greater advantage. Many a
parlor that ordinarily on a stormy
day would have been dark and gloomy,
was frightened by a beautiful tree
with glistening balls and decorations
The Christmas dinner, graced by the
tasty roast turkey, was the big feat
uro of the day, and family reunions
were numerous. Mince and pumpkin
pies and candy were other popular
dainties of the day.
Not only in the private homes we're
these things enjoyed, but in the state
and county institutions as well, where
special Christmas dinners were served
and presents distributed to the IN
mates. These institutions were gaiiy
trimmed and the unfortunatos confined
within them were greatly cheered by
the Yuletide spirit The inmates OF
the delaware State Hospital and
County Hospital. at Farnhurst and
the Delaware. Homeopathic, Physi-
clans and Surgeons Hospitals in
this city and the County Workhouse,
at Greenbank, were treated TO dinners
and we're the recipients of presents
from friends and various charitable
organizations.
The theatres we're literally patron
ized and each had prepared holiday
bills for the benefit OF their patrons.
Christmas Day came as a great re-
lief and rest TO the merchants and
lthcir sales forces. The strenuous
days prior TO the holiday we're great
strain to them. despite the shorter
hours that prevailed.
The large number of very young
men who were seen intoxicated about
the streets on Wednesday evening and
yesterday morning caused much COM
lment.
Taken. altogether. while yesterday
was undoubtedly very merry Christ
mas indoors. and was enjoyed by many
persons. il was probably the most un-
pleasant and dismal Christmas out
doors the city has experienced tor
many years.
To add to the disagreeable weather
that prevailed, there was sharp
drop In the temperature, and at mid
night the thermometer had gone
down to 40 degrees. Theatre crowds
that had gone into the playhouses
early in the evening when the at
mosphere without was danE and
mucky emerged into a cold, chilling
might that caused those who had the
/ forethought to bring their heavy
wraps appreciate their warmth.
With daybreak yesterday morning,
/ the sky was overcast with dark,
heavy clouds that foreboded rain or
snow before nightfall. The weather
indications did not fail, for early In
the afternoon rain began TO fall and
thereby spoiled the hopes and antici-
Ipations of residents who had been
looking forward TO a bright. CHEEKY
day. AS the day advanced. the storm
increased, and before evening the
storm was raging in all its fury.
The rain came down in torrents and
was carried along on the crest of a
high wind that lashed about with all
the sting Of a whipcord
Last night the wind increased IN
velocity until II was next TO impos-
sible 20 walk along the streets. An
umbrella was an encumbrance instead
of a protection. for cne could not be
held against the gale. Hats seemed
the particular sport of the wind and
the antics OF many unfortunate pos
SCISSORS of headgear were amusing in
the extreme. Men, and women, too
, could be seen at almos. any corner
along Market street chasing franti-
cally after a flying bonnet or derby
which had been snatched from the
head of the owner and sent swirline
into the mud and water that covered
the streets.
5 SANTA AT SALVATION ARMY.
Santa Claus, in his round Of pleas
ure giving did not forget the Saliva
ton Army barracks, and many men
women aid children we're made hap
py yesterday.
There were 100 we'll filled basket
y sent out among the needy. and toy
and candy, nuts and clothing. ver