Evening journal., 1918-12-26
CITY ENJOYS BEST
OF CHRISTMAS DAYS.
continual From First page.

put no hlndrances In way of Old Chris
Dad brings out tree trimmings with
such noisy Joy that youngsters run tc
! the stairs, and mother has to scolc
dad and the kiddies.
7i5-Trlm the tree. Dad plays toy
plano and has TO be suppressed.
720.-Dad breaks three glass balls
Kids want TO know II II is time 10
get up.
8 o'clock-Mother finishes tree while
dad plays with Tinker Toy Kids want
TO know II Santa Claus is there yet.
9 o'clock--NeighbOr come In TO see
tree. Kids want to know whether rein
deer eat holly berries.
10 o'clOck-GO to see neighbOrs' trees,
locking parlor doors before going out.
II o'clock-Dad wants piece Of grand
mas mince pie. Serve pie and coffee.
Kids want 10 know II II Is morning yet.
~ o'clock-Christma bells and choir
singers going past singing Noel. Kids
shout frantically that there is a parade
o'clock-Dad and mother, each
thinking TO smuggle the others pres
ents into the parlor. catch each other
with arms full Of parcels labeled Dear
Wife" and Dear Husband" Kids asleep.
2 o'clock-More Christmas carols.
Riddles wake up and rush downstairs
to find parlor door locked. Coax them
back to bed.
o'clock-All hands asleep.
o'clock--More carols. Kids want TO
get up. Kids want 10 know If Santa
Claus has spectacles. Kids want to
know how old Santa Claus is. Kids
don't want to go to sleep.
4.30 o'clock--Church bells. Carols.
Everybody up. parlor open. Old Chris
has been there. Shrieks OF Joy. Every
body talking at once. Dad plays with
FISH pond game.
o'clock-Church carols. Breakfast.
The beginning OF a perfect day.
Never has there been so much out
door singing Of carols in the city,:
beautiful custom worthlly carried out.
Before O'Clock the city streets were
nlled with people hurrying towards
brightly lighted churches, to welcome
the newborn King with prayer and
praise and thanksgiving for peace on
earth. There was no time from
o'clock until noon, In which church
services were not going on.
The Christ mass was celebrated hourly
In the Catholic churches, accompanied
by beautiful music, and on richly, dec
Grated altars.
Services in most OF the Protestant
churches began at O'Clock, and many
had services later In the morning.
Calvary Episcopal Church held a mid
night service.
One Of the earliest groups OF musi-
clans was a portion OF the Harlan band,
who rode through the city in an auto
mobile. playing Christmas hymns. Later
In the morning they gave a concert TO |
lhe prisoners In durance at the police
station. Union Church choir was also |
Dut early and visiting the shut-lns to
sing carols.
One OF the prettiest sights Of the day !
was the huge police headquarters !
tree for the little poor chill
iren. gay with colored balls and cleo I
tric lights. Mrs. Mary Davis and Mrs. |
Annie Opdyke. police matrons, sent out
out hundreds of gifts from police head |
quarters to the poor children Of the |
city. Sometimes they found family |
with ten children on their list, whose |
mother could provide no Christmas |
cheer for her little ones. II was happy |
lay for the big, kind-hearted police
men, who much preferred distributing /
presents TO their little friends than ar
esting the grown-ups who had done
90 much celebrating.
The Volunteers Of America and the
salvation Army sent out hundreds Of
yell-nlled dinner baskets, one of the
iindliest Of the many charitable deeds
lone during the day by church and So
iety organizations.
The theatres of the city were packed
nd jammed with holiday crowds, and
rain, trolley and boat were filled with
jostllng trippers. The
idewalks were a mass of smiling-faced
eople laden with tissue-covered pack
ges. Many pretty girl was trying
lot TO look too conscious of her new
urs, and many young fellow tried to
asst a wOuld-be careless glance at a
handsome new necktie.
HOspitable Wilmington was careful
o see that the soldiers and sailors in
Ter midst who could not get home for
should have a happy day.
he Red Cross, the YIN. C. A. and
rivate homes entertained them.
Christmas dinners were the gathering
olnt for families. The big turkey was
arved amid many scenes Of merriment.
Christmas joys will last a number of
lays, for many Sunday schools stlll
ave Christmas entertainments 10 be
iven, and parties of small and great
ize viii I'LL up the evenings until after
lew Years Day.