THE OMAHA ILLUSTRATED BEE.
Ixvembor 17. irH.
Observing
i illK crowded streets an J brilliant
I marts of 'hrl.tniaFtldc, the glow
' I (. hriMmns tree, the inter
change of girts and greetings,
und tho services In the churches
hip tii.- rl.i.f f'-aturfs cf tho Christmas
nlwrvan-o In the United Ftatrs. Whilu
there are many to whom the perennial gift
plvlng Is a burden, there are others to
v-l.otn thlx Is a nur"f of great inspiration
snd dclitht hirausi- tliry get an opportun
ity to contribute to the Joy of others.
The, I'ilgrlm fathers long ngo tabooed
Chris' mas. That was In a revulsion of
feeling agiinut the excesses introduced Into
tho earlier celebration, and duo to both
tho heathen origin of tho festival and the
rude customs of the period. So great was
this feeling that Governor ltrudford in Ills
"History of 1'lymoulh Plantation." under
date of lt,a, thus refers to the attempt of
some of the peoplo of Plymouth to adhere
to the customs of old Knglnnd:
"On ye day called Christmas day, yc
governor called them out to work (as was
usual I, but the most of this new company
excused themselves and said it went against
their consciences to work on that day.
80 the governor told them if they made it
a matter of conscience lie would spare
them until they were better informed,. So
he led away the rest and left them. But
when they came home at noon from their
work, he found them in the street at play,
openly; some pitching; tho bar and some
at stoolc ball and such like stiorts. So he
went to them and took away their Imple
ments and told them that tt was against
his conscience that they should play and
others woik."
Christmas has lived down its saturnalian
and heathen origin and the sturdy
prejudice of the Puritans. Today tho
holiday Is par excellence the home festival
of the American people, and its observance
Is always an infinite sour- of Joy to those
who have homo centers In which to radiate;
whllf It casts tho genial glow of Its perva
sive happiness und warmth upon the lone
liness of those who are set apart among
the flotsam and Jetsam of humanity, and of
those who are the peculiar product of scat
tered und shattered homes.
Throughout Great Ililtain Christmas in
the great week of the year. It is the 0110
week when scattered families are reunited,
when tender memories and old associations
are revived, when friend greets friend with
cheery expansiveness. In striking contrast
with the characteristic reserve of the Eng
lish nature. Iluslness is practically sus
lended In London for the live- days suc
ceeding Chthtmas eve. Then- Is nothing
left of thi obsolete orgies which so olTended
the Puritan element in the times of Crom
well. It would be nn unimaginable. Kng-
How Money Flies
f tlll'.N you peep into your Christmas
box on Christmas morning und
1 I find therein just what you
wanted, don't Imagine you are tho
only prize winner. There are
others millions of them, all enjoying ii
varying degree of emotion the spirit of
the royal holiday. Under such circum
stances It might appear sacrillgious to give
thought to the material side of the holi
day. Yet the material side of It occupies
Just now the minds and hearts of mankind
and womankind to a greater degree proba
bly than any domestic problem of the year.
What does Christmas cost? It is a largo
question and an Interesting one. A writer
In tho Philadelphia Press who assumes to
have Inside Information about Kris Krln
gle's ledger presents some figures to prove
the size of the happiness trust.
Toys null land)'.
The first big Item In tho ledger is toys.
Ono retail concern in New York City alono
sella iJ.iyo.tKO worth of toys for Christmas.
The head of this concern estimates thru
during the year each family in the I'nlted
States averages 2 for children's toys.
As there are lii.imo.oml families In the coun
try, this would Indicate an annual expendi
ture of IIL'.OUVWO. and as 00 per cent of tin
toys ore sold during tho Christmas season,
I'JS.Sno.tJO must therefore be paid out for
them at that- time. This estimate seems
quite reasonable when one considers that
there are JT.ttT toy stores and 6,11 depart
ment stores selling toys in the country.
Then there Is candy. That conies right
along after the toys. Anybody knows that.
Taking as a basis one big store in New
York that m ils llHO.iinO worth of candy dur
ing the month of December, one may get
something of an idea to start on In this
great business
For Instance, there are 'JS.M confection
ery stores and 3S1 department stores that
sell candy, making a total of U.7S5. During
the month of December 9.000 of these stoies
sell $'.'.rHj worth of candy each, or f!,5fl0.noo
altogether. Fourteen thousand sell
each, or JT.ooO.OoO altogether, and t!,78." sell
$100 each, or JiiTS.WO. a total of $30,17S,5 to.
Ninety per cent of this candy Is for Christ
mas day; tl.at Is. $T.ltiO,i".
Work of Busy llitada.
Vnelc Sam's bright young men who come
round every ten years and ask you all
kinds of questions have figured that there
are 37,144.115 females In tho I'nlted States.
Ten millions of them can sew, more or
lews proficiently. Each sews on an aver
age five days on Christmas gifts.
If you don't believe It, ask your pastor,,
who received fourteen pairs of slippers, or
your I'mie Tom, who Is BO If ho Is a day,
and who plucked off from tho evergreen
tree In the liasement of the Sunday schorl
st the Christmas celebration a week before
Christmas seventeen "Bachelors' Compan
ions, or Every Man His Own Seamstress."
Well, anyhow, those lO.fno.uOO women, in
sewing, menage to keep busy for tOiOni)
days in their efforts to make somebody
happy. And with an average earning ca
pacity of cents a day tach considering
that a good many of the women do not
usually work there is an expenditure of
energy worth H-VioO.Cno. Right along here
should come the item about tho fancy gifts
bought at the dry goods, the department
and the 1 ticket stores.
All together there are i2,K3 of these
stores. There are ten stores that do 11
business of U.uXf.tmO each annually that's
Tj0,0u,i t. There are 6.000 that average 150,.
U0 each that's Hoo.foo.om, and there are
36,e00 In round numbers that do a business
every year of $:',o each, making all to
gether $7.,ino.i0. and a grand total of $ir,
OfO.OuO annually. If they were open every
day that would n-.ean a business of ll,lG,
164 for one day.
People who have watched such things
say it it a modest otlmate to treble the
figures of the business for the one day of
Chrbtmas. That would make the sales of
fancy goods and novelties for Christmas
$3. 4'. 49.'. In uduklon to the articles tho
women make with their own clever hands.
1!one- fur Flow era.
With the possible exception of Earner,
Christmas Day
lish monarch who would forbid any ob
servation of the l.'.th of I'cicmbcr. The
example Is sit by the royal family of the
ideal way In which to spend the happy,
merry Chiistmastide which the tngllsh
people cherish. It Is the custom of King
Kdward VII and Vjueen Alexandra to pass
the holiday quietly at Saodrlngham, and
there to give personal supervision to the
distribution of gifts.
Their majesties observe the best Kuglish
traditions by attending service on Christ
mas morning at Sandrlnghani church, which
is prettily decorated with How-era anil ever
greens. The choir sings Gounod's "Hethle
hem," and familiar hymns, such as "Hark!
the Herald Angels Sing" and "O, Come All
e Faithful." The religious service is fol
lowed by a quiet family reunion, a proto
type of tho gatherings In humbler homes
throughout the t'nited Kingdom. It Is said
that nothing creates a better Impression
in Great Ilritaln than that the sovereign
and royal family should observe national
customs In the national way.
The Christmas customs of the English
speaking people are drawn chiefly from the
fatherland, where tho Joys of tho holiday
season are ushered in on Christmas eve.
To Germany we owe tho Christmas tree
and the maintenance of the best of the old
customs. Throughout the Fatherland the
d"coratlon of tho house begins as enrly as
the morning of December 24. One room
from which all save "die Mutter" are rig
idly excluded contains the Christmas tree.
Greens are hung from window to door and
garlands are placed upon tho walls. On
Christmus eve, promptly at 6 p. in., at tho
ringing of the bell, tho doors of tho
"Christmas room" fly open and the treo
is revealed to tho impatient, admiring fam
ily in all the glory of its candles, tinsel,
sweetmeats and gifts. They find not only
the adorned Christmas tree, but each ono
of them a, special table set for him.
lieforo Christmas everybody In the house
has his secrets. Now these secrets are be
ing revealed, and tho children luialen to
their different tables, curious 10 see
whether their hopes and wishes have been
realized. But theSo tables are not limited
to tho children In tho German hom-s. Not
only the imniedialo family, but the whole
household, meets under tho Christinas tre.
For each of the servants Christmas boxes
are provided on a big table. Sometimes
the servants prefer receiving money, but
even then some Christmas token is added
In order that the table may be full. After
the distribution of the gifts there follows
a distinctively German custom. Every one,
both large and small, indulges in .1 hearty
embrace and an affectionate kiss. No 0110
is exempt. Young and old, friend and rela
tive, rich and poor, take part In the cere
there Is no day In the year when flowers
are in as great demand as on Christmas.
Included with the flowers should be the
evergreens and the trimmings in the
churches and the houses. Those who buy
flowers Just before Christmas know how
tho prices Jump. The florists think noth
ing of adding 100 or 200 per cent to their
usual charges.
Roses, for instance, sell about Christmas
time for .!6 a hundred, while usually J.1.60
to 6 a hundred Is considered a good price.
Carnations sell for tG to $10 a dozen, and
so on for all the others. But ono must re
member that tho 2.34G florists In the United
States, who do a retail business, must live
so that they can have a littlo bit of the
good time themselves on tho L'ith of De
cember, Street Car Companies Com In.
In getting all these presents for the chil
dren and for relatives and friends, and In
going about to sec tho attractive things in
it he shop windows, there is a great deal of
extra riding In the street cars. This is one
of tho expenses of Christmas. In the
I'nlted States the annual receipts of tho
street car companies from passengers are
$2a3,l,54. The receipts for a day would,
therefore, be $ii40,i7.
At least ten days are devoted to tho pur
chasing of gifts and looking about. Dur
ing these ten days fi,40ti,lft) will be ex
pended for street car faro. Ten per cent
Tersely Told
Marked Originality.
1 1 1.' !..,.. Hannrfll luaan T Wietnv
I I of Philadelphia had a multltuda
I rtf Dn,.l,itH tliut hA nntill fll:LW
on when ho desired to score a
point or to illumlnato an idea.
General Wlstar was for a number of
years tho president of tho Pennsylvania
Academy of Natural Sciences. At one of
the academy's meetings a rather odd and
original method of reaching tho north polo
was siiKKested. Of this method tho presi
dent said, smiling:
"It reminds me of tho way two 8au Fran
cisco friends of mine once took to get lid
of some guests.
-These, guests came to tpend the evening
ami didn't know when to depart. My
friends wero patient with them, vey pa
tient; but when 11, 12 and finally 1 o'clock
struck, the husband realized that some
thing must now be done.
"Ho was an original chap, and, in Ms
original way, ho looked over at his wifo
and said, mildly:
" 'My dc-ar, hadn't we better get up to
bed? Our friends may want to be going.' "
New York Tribune.
Getting Tedious.
' Captain P.yan, tho new Itritlsh naval at
tache, said at a dinner in Washington:
"The strength of the heads of some of
our old school farmers Is quite incredible.
"At a harvest supper, a feast similar in
Its way to your Thanksgiving dinner, thera
was an old farmer who drank a good deal
of champagne. The moment his glass was
rilled he would toss it off, and then, of
course, it would be filled again.
"Hut tho old fellow grew quieter and
quieter the more champagne he drank. A
frown settled on his forehead. His eyes
flashed angrily under his heavy gray brow s.
"Finally, when tho waiter tilled his glass
with wine for the twelfth or thirteenth
time, he shook his head and said:
" 'James, when are you going to put tho
whisky on the table? These minerals are
getting tedious.' "Washington Post.
Tbeoloalcal Ammunition.
The Kev. F.dwaid IJoyd Jones, a Man
chester (Fng minister, tells a etory of his
experience In Fenian days. He was travel
ing from a Welsh village to Hrecon and
had with him a strong wooden box filled
with heavy theological books. At Shrews
bury the detectives, who were on the look
out for explosive machines and the like,
suspected this heay box and word whs
mony. Even the rmpt ror dots not forego
this feature of tho observance. Merry
making, supper and dancing follow.
In some parts of Germany, Hcandinavi.i
and Holland the custom is for nil the cl.il
tlr n to offer a petition nt the chimney
coiner on Christmas eve to Kriss Krlngle,
asking him to till their stockings for
Christmas morning, and many hopes anil
fears are confided to him. "Kriss Knngb"
is a corruption of "Clirist-Kindlein." who
Is supposed, to descend tho chimney with
gifts for all good children and has In tier
many superseded St. Nicholas, or Santa
Claus, the patron saint of children. Tho
way of observing Christmas In Holland is
of peculiar Interest. In all the towns ami
villages at midnight on Christmas eve tho
men, in varied costumes, meet In the prin
cipal squares, chanting the "Gloria in Ex
celsls." A large 8tar, In which there are
several lighted candles shining us one, Is
mounted on a pole. This Ftar Is symbolical
of the star that guided the Wise Men of
tho Eiut. The scene Is deeply Impressive.
As the long procession, chanting tho
"Gloria." marches slowly along the star
casts Its radiance in tho dark, winding
streets.
Christinas In Paly centers around the
church. Nearly all tho Unman Catholic
churches have a reproduction of the stable
of Hethlehem, with all the prominent fig
ures of the nativity. Before tho rrseplo.
as this representation is called, the moth
ers gather and urge their little ones to re
cite their hymns of praise to the Madonna
and tho Child. Roman children receive 110
gifts on Christmas day. Tho children of
tho evangelical churches have lovely
Christmas trees, their green, aromatic
branches laden with yellow oranges, sil
vered halls and strings of gilt paper, bright
with lighted candles of red, white and
green, the colors of Italy, and with mimic
mow. The Sunday schools generally have
Chrlstmns trees also laden with gifts.
On Christmas even In many Italian homes
a family festival is held where the old and
young to the third and fourth generations
meet at a supper of fish, eels, nuts, cakes
nnd fruit, or vegetables. No meat is in
cluded in the mugro, which is, however, a
satisfying repast. It Is followed the next
day by the sumptuous dinner, graced neces
sarily by a fat capon, and ended by pau
glallo, a sort of coarse nut end fruit cake.
It is the perennial holiday custom of the
Italian tradesmen, ns well na the German
ami Htissian, to send to their patrons com
plimentary gifts nt Christmas-time. Those
tokens nre recognized in ftaly by the
mancie, or small sum of money given in
return.
In Frunce, as In Italy, Christmas has not
the same status in popular regard as in
During the
of this, or $(j40.o7, is on account of Christ
mas business exclusively.
To ull these Items should be added tho
money valuation of the actual time lost
to all persons In the country who are en
gaged in earning a livelihood.
The census enumerators say there aro
29,WiO,OCO persons In tho United States en
gaged in gainful pursuits. It may be esti
mated that on an average they earn $1 a
day each. Therefore the losses on Christ
mas day in this line of action would be
$J9,000,000.
Eating; aud Drinking.
And the feasting. What is Christmas
without a good dinner? The mere mention
of It brings to mind turkey and plum pud
ding and pic and cake.
Next to Thanksgiving, tho number of
turkeys consumed in one day is greatest
on Christmas. Fifty per cent of too tur
keys are used for Thanksgiving. Twenty
five per cent are served on Christinas ta
bles at a cost of $1'5,X),000.
But man cannot live by turksy alone.
Tho bakers do a land office business the
day before Christmus. There aro 29.800
bakers in the country. For the extra
amount of business that they do for Christ
mas $10 each is said to bo a conservative
estimate. That would make this expendi
ture $2'8,000, to say nothing of tho sweet
meats concocted in tho private and hotel
and restaurant kitchens.
Besldo tho eating, there is drinking. And
Tales Both
sent on to I5recon. When the young min
ister stepped out of the trnin ho was as
tonished to find a sergeant and several con
stables awaiting him. "I think you have
a box with you," said the sergeant. "Quito
right," said tho preachor, who begin to
scent a joke. Out came the box, and Its
weight excited fresh suspicion about lis
contents. "This Is your box?" "Yes." "It
contains ammunition?" "It does." "Very
well, consider yourself in charge. Open
tho box." The company stood away whilo
the lid was cautiously wrenched off. When
ttiH sergeant found it contained nothing
more explosive than Adam Clarke's "The
ology" ho expressed his Indignation freely
to the ministor. All that ho got back wm
the soft answer: "Why, bless my soul,
man, you ssked If tho box contained am
munition. That Is my ammunition. I'm ii
Methodist parson, and that's what I shoot
with." New York Tribune.
Blue Dors with Pink Tails.
"I will never forget my first experience
In hospital work," said Chief Surgeon Mil
lar of the Central Emergency hospital.
"There was a green nurse In the detention
ward and we had a very violent case In
I hero a man in tho worst stage of de
lirium tremens. I was awakened In tho
middle of the night by the head nurse, who
requested me to come at once to tho pa
tient. When I got there I found him rav
ing and very violent, with tho new nurse
scared out of her wits. I said:
" 'Why did you let him go so far? I left
you some medicine to give him as soon as
he tot delirious.'
" "Yes, doctor,' she replied; 'but you told
mo to give that to him if he saw any more
makes, and this time he was seeing blun
dogs witli pink tails.' "Chicago Inter
Oceuu.
Turned the Tables.
John Philpot .Curran, the famous Irish
lawyer, ranks among the wittiest men the
emerald isle has ever produced. His wit,
however, was sometimes turned against
himself by the Intended victim, the follow
ing story furnislu s an amusing example of
how Curran was once outdone. A brisk
young widow. In some part of Ireland, used
to presld at the table of a coffe house
patronised by Curran. Her name was Honor
and one day theVe was some disputed
charge. Curran slyly winked at the frl, nd
who hapined to be dining with htm and
proposed "Honor and Honesty." "fly all
means." added tho widow, briskly, holding
in Foreign Lands
other lands. Yet Paris, it is stated, uses
5n.n1) Christmas trees each year, tho result
of Gorman suggestion. In 1S70 the famous
old cathedral of Notre Paine was made the
scene of the German Christmas celebra
tions, which have 1. ft a permanent Im
pression. In the convents of France Christ
inas eve Is a very beautiful festival. Tho
sweet custom of making gifts for the poor
Is carried out. The children all receive
Christmas boxes. .,,,,1 usually tho first gift
taki n from these is placed in the basket
for the poor. If Clirh.tmaa week Is a great
week in Great Britain, the Pnlted States
and Germany, It Is greater still In Ilussln.
The c lebiatlon of Christmas in the cxnr s
dominions is an exti nsive nnd unique cere
mony. Tho Chr.stmu holidays comprise
two entire weeks. Beginning with Decem
ber 14 there is one long lineal' successive
holidays till January S. Work is stopped
In factories and school is closed. Every
body takes a vacation, and this condition
of tilings Is attributed to the fact that the
Russian peasant Is not possessed with tho
fever of money-getting, and has not yet
reached that stage of civilization where
nionoy is everything.
The business streets of Russian cities bear
the aspect of a brilliant fair In gay decora
tions und thronged with crowds of different
races Tartars, Armenians, Circassians and
many more, In their varied national cos
tumes. The Christmas tree laden with gifts
is the prevailing feature In tho homes of all
classes. Largo sums nre expended In pres
ents. A quiet family reunion marks tho
first day. This Is followed by a day of
congratulations, when both front and back
door bells are l;ept constantly ringing by
friends both rich und poor. Carriages and
cabs fly through tho streets bearing callers
to extend tho national form of holiday
greeting. "Sprasdn.kom," "With the holl-'
days," which is the Russian way of saying
"Merry Christinas." Tips are expected by
all classes of servants and dealers, and
visits from tho clergy involve an invariable
donation.
Tho Russian society man Is bound during
the holidays to kiss the hand of the women
whom he greets. But the custom of Chrlst
mns calls, like the former New Year calling
of the United States, Is becoming obsolete.
It is now looked on ns tiresome, useless
and expensive. The third Christmas day is
marked by the court reception, during
which Nicholas II receives the higjiest
councilors of state the senators, tho rep
resentatives of tho synod, the army,
navy, and other chief subjects. Among tho
Russian common people the Christmas
time, has customs of local and peculiar
significance. That Is a typo of the early
English custom when peasants gather in
groups, singing carols In front of the
noblemen's houses, and eagerly accept the
Christmas Season
such thirsts ns some people develop on
Christmas! There are 44.7J7.244 gallons of
domestic wine and 5,017.1j9 gallons of Im
ported wine consumed In this country in
ono yenr. The domestic, at an average of
tt) cents a gallon, costs $2.S42,3 111, and the
imported, at an average of $1.25 u gallon,
costs $t!,271,4IS.
The expenditure for domestic wine for
one day is, therefore, $73, MO, and for im
ported $17,182, or for the total for Christ
mus, estimated at three times the usual
amount consumed, $.'72,lti(j.
The amount expended for beer, although
much cheaper, reacle a higher figure. Tho
annual consumption of beer In the United
States Is $G9,0i.T71. For one day U is $19,
Mti, and for Christmas $Gti9,b3$, or about
7 mills per capita.
It Is easy to learn that the daily sales
In whisky amount to $.',2:i.2a7, and that the
total amount expended for Christmas may
be fairly figured at ' $0,898,711, or about 8i
cents per capita for the day.
Then there ure tho "soft diln'cs" used
In some places, like the Subway 'fa-.erii of
Bishop Potter fame, as "chasers."
There are 4.371 pop and soda bottling con
cerns in tho country, with total annual
ales of about D.OeO.OOO. One hundr-d per
cent of this Is profit, and to tho consumer,
therefore, there Is an expenditure of $10,
ono.iioo, or $27,397 dally, or $S2,191 on Christ
inas. Tho vast quantity of tobacco consumed
In all parts of the world indicate Unit most
Grim and Gay
lier glass to be tilled, "let us drink to Mr.
Curran's absent friends."
Not the Itlght One.
Iniring the National Civic federation's
convention in New York Samuel Gompers,
apropos of a mistake, said:
"It might havu been embarrassing as
embarrassing as tho position of a young
man of Toledo whom I heard about the
other day.
"Ho hud bei ii calling now and then on a
young Toledo lady, and one night, as ho sat
In the parlor waiting for her to come down,
her mother entered tho room instead, and
asked him, In a very grave, stern way,
what his intentions were.
"lie turned very red, and was about to
ttamnicr some incoherent reply, when sud
denly tho young lady called down from
the head of the stairs:
" 'Mamma, mamma, that 1h not the one." "
On the Trolley Car.
A group of trafflo managers and auditors
of tho convention of street railway men In
Philadelphia was telling stories of street
railroading. Irwin Fuller of Detroit said:
"A pretty Irish girl, fresh from tho old
country, sat in a trolly car looking at tho
stiango American country with modest In
terest. "Sho had soft gray eyes, a face like ropes
and lilies, beautiful hair and white teeth.
" 'Your fare miss,' said the conductor,
paublng before her.
"She blushed and bit her Hp.
" Your fare, miss,' ho repeated.
"Sure,' said the girl, 'an' what if I be?
You must not bo repeatlu' It like that be
fore folks.' "New York Tribune.
I. arse Knough.
Senator Foraker was talking about a poli
tician whoso erratic conduct had estranged
him from his part.
"This man," said the senator, "was show
ing a visitor over his new house In Wash
ington tho .other day.
"He exhibited the large drawing room, In
white and gold; the spacious dining room.
In mahogany; the vast ebuiiy hall, with its
on; x pillars, a"d then he led his visitor
into the lUtlcst bit of a room off the hall
a mere cubby hole, containing but a table
ami two chaiis.
" 'Not very l uge, eh?" he said. "Small
and coxy, isn't it? Hero I entertain my
political friends."
" 'Ah,' said the visitor, 'it will l.e large
nough for that." "-Washington Post.
gifts of coin thrown to them from the
windows. This is called in Russian the
Kolenda. It always precedes a quaint
representation by the peasants of all ages.
They dress themselves In the style of dif
ferent animals. This Is done to commem
orate Christ's having U-en born In a
stable.
In most countries Christmas is observed
In a measure religiously. To tho natives
of tho Philippines. Christmas Is largely
a religious ct-rtniony, as in Italy and
France. All over the islands Christmas
bells ring out for hours. A grand linn is
celebrated In the early morning. The
churches are profusely decorated with
palms and fragrant blossoms. Great wreaths
and chains of cut flowers arc carried by
tho children, who sing songs and parade
through the streets. A Filipino band leads
the procesion. In Mexico, too, Christmas
is a fiesta much like others on the calen
dar. Us distinguishing features Is the
Christmas eve market of small booths lin
ing the thoroughfares, where everything
marketable Is offered for sale candles a
foot in diameter, and others scarcely larger
than matches; pottery, baskets, rebozos,
eraMs, huge tissue paper ornaments,
candy, fruit, nuts, sausages, mirrors, knives
and cigarettes.
In Cuba, where the sun shines fiercely at
Christmas time, there Is no holiday crowd
on the streets. I'ig takes the place of
turkey. The Christinas dinner is a supper
and part of a religious feast at midnight on
Christmas eve. Whenever English, Ameri
cans or Germans dwell, the world around,
the Christmas customs of tho home land
have been introduced. Wherever there Is
an American man-of-war there is an
American Christmas. This Is equaly true
of merchant and passenger ships of all
nations.
Tho cosmopolitan character of the Christ
mas holiday is best illustrated In same for
eign port where half a dozen ship of differ
ent countries are anchored eldo by side.
On- Christmas day tho crew of tho Russian
ship, for example, will Intone the stately
chant of the solemn Russian hymn. At Us
conclusion there Is a silence. Then the
sailors on a Dutch trading vessel will chant
the inspiring national air of the Nether
lands. The next ship, perhaps a British
man-of-war, and its crew lift their voices
in "God Save the King." There is pretty
sure to be an American ship or two. The
blue-coated sailors all Join In, and the
"Star-?rangled Banner" drifts across tho
sparkling waters. High from the signal
yard flutters the glorious message which
has rejoiced tho hearts of men for ages:
"Peace on earth, good will toward men."
From tho foreyard files the universal
friendly salutation, "A Merry' Christmas."
Jano Stewart in Leslie's Weekly.
ni 11 aro habitual smokers. Take it in the
t'nited States, for instance. Iast year
there were e.TSC.fc'o.SM large and CH',499,870
small cigars smoked. That means an ex
penditure of about Jju9,8i2,3J8, or il,S)6,937
a day.
Tho Christinas money that goes up In
smoko from the ends of cigars is placed at
$4,190,811. And that doesn't Include tho
cigarettes, of which there were 3,Otl,573.u6d
smoked in this country in 1903, tha cost
being $110,277,157 for the year and $53,533 for
one day. The Christmas sales, therefore,
being $105,6G9.
The good people of the United States
having eaten all these tempting things and
drunk all these hard and soft drinks, and
smoked all these flue Havanas and ropes
and Turkish and cheap cigarettes some
thing is pretty sure to happen.
Consider the Doctor.
. Wd you ever think how many stomach
aches there are after the big Christmas din
ners, how many colds and coughs there
are after the decolleto costumes at the
Christinas balls and the rides in the street
cars after the Christmas entertainments?
Now, the average doctor's fee Is $2 a visit
and the average annual Income of physi
cians' is $1,200. Tho average number of
calls a day is two, for which $4 is received
as remuneration, making the doctor's fees
for the wek $2S.
If the illness is increased one-third dur
ing Christmas week, Santa Claus must add
to his debit account $9,o3 for each physi
cian in tho I'nlted States. There are 127,700
doctors In tho country, and tho total amount
paid out in doctors' bills as a direct result
of tho Christmas festivities must be un
less tho figures aro wrong-$l, 191,141.
Credit Wide of the Ledger.
When When Santa Claus comes to add
up the figures ho will find that It has cost
the people of the United States always
providing that thero has been no hocus
pocus on the part of the statisticians or
the mathematicians J141,321,&91 for Christ
mas In the, way of extra expenditures.
Santa Claus, however, has a credit side to
his ledger. Moreover, he balances his
books each year. And on the credit sldo
ono muy find the good that Christinas
brings. The material things are thoso that
should be first considered. In tho United
States there are 640,60 manufacturing es
tablishments, with a total production an
nually of $13.059.50,920. One jier cent of
this production Is estimated to consist of
fancy goods and novelties, and 10 per cent
of this amount Is said to be sold for gifts
at Christmas. Thus, to the credit side is
added the item of $13,069, sM. Then there
are the export Christmas goods. Tho ex
ports of the country amount to $1,420,137,619
annually. One per cent of these goods are
exported for the Christmas trade and foot
up to $14,210,376. The profits of the liquor
distillers during the Christmas trade
amount to t7:, -91, and malt distillers'
profits at that time are $1,9;,379.
Other credit items not so tangible, to be
sure, as some of those enumerated, but
which exist just as surely go to the credit
account. Nearly every one knows that the
rest and the enjoyment and the happiness
that come into one's lite better fits him
for the stern realities tiiat are encoun
tered each day.
Tho holiday or the half holiday gives
zest for better work, better thought, bet
ter action. And Christmas is the most
blessed of all these blessed days. It Is the
day when love is paramount when there
is "peace on earth and good will toward
nuji." Y'ou cant reach It; you can't touch
It with cold figures. In casting up his
credit side to Ids ledger tho nearest Santa
Claus comes to it is to average up the
general good done to men, women and
children
Supposing, then, getting It down to a dol
lar and cents bans, so as to tit the d.-bit
side of his bonk, Santa Claud should say
that the general guod done to mankind by
Christmas had Its effect on tin ir earning
capacity for the far In a 2 per cent ratio
on their earning capacity. If he d jes this
there will be these tigures presented:
"Item: Happiness. $W,0uu,Gti."
i
Christmas Gifts of Quality
lionutiful lviiHMiibTniKVs such ns gootl taste tlictates.
Hare conceptions out of the common desijms from
art workers in gold ami silver, who have left the impress of
a skill that stands for real merit.
Watches, Diamonds, Rings, Cuff Buttons, Bracelets,
Gold Beads, Stick Pins, Brooches, Opera Glasses,
Lorgnettes, Hat Pins, Fountain Pens, Lockets, Chains,
Crosses, Collar Buttons, Vest Chains, Collar Pins,
Emblem Pins, Toilet Sets, Manicure Sets, Military Brushes,
Whisk Brooms, Chafing Dishes, Clocks, Table Silver,
Spoons, Knives, Oyster Forks, Meat Forks, Berry Forks,
Salad Forks, Serving Spoons, Carving Sets
And hundreds of other Christmas suggestions.
Spend a Few Minutes In Our Store,
S. W. LINDSAY,
Jeweler,
1516 Douglas Street.
GLOVES,
UMBRELLAS,
FANS and CANES
VOR-
Afen, Women
and Children
ED F. PICKERING
105 South 16th Street
?- '-
Coal
1
14
Involves something more than correct weight. There's the
matter of fairly representing the coal, 1. e., telling the full,
frank truth about It. Then there's tho very serious and
short-sighted error of substitutlne. When we have not tho
kind of coal you want. WE SAY SO ALWAYS, and when
our delivery ticket calls for "Ozark," "Economy" or any
other coal, you may rest assured that Is what the driver has
in the the big yell-o wagon.
No Counterfeit Money
Will be accepted bv us and you are equally Justified In re
fusing to receive COLXTEUKK1T COAL.
A "square deal" also includes delivery When Promised.
With our own teams and big, yell-o wagons (plenty of
them) wo can promise quick delivery and Koop Our Promise.
Ozark Grate. $8.50
The very best Arkansas Anthracite used In place of eastern
hard coal. Burns clean, strong, hot and long. Especially
good in furnaces. "Ozark" is sold by us ONLY.
Sunderland Bros. Co.
1
1.
1608
Here Since 1883.
2Z
llTi'i : .- lli fH .Vj r
mm
tt?mwm
Embossed
Commercial Stationery
Letterheads, Envelopes, Business Cards, An
nouncements, etc. Write tor estimates.
A. I. ROOT, 'JgRPOWATEP
1212 HowarJ St., Omaha.
A fine room with a vault heat
light water janitor service in a
fire proof office building for $18.00
The Bee Building.
Ill
leal
HARNEY.
'Flume 252.
s
C3EDS
IONEK