GAVE IT A DIGNIFIED WELCOME.
New Year's Arrival Not the Signal
for the Usual Noise.
The new year came in comparative quiet. Usually, whistles blow and bells ring and everyone who has a revolver shoots it. This year, however, there were few bells and whistles, and practically no revolver shots in the downtown part of the city. It was a quiet, dignified sort of a reception that was given to 1909.
Everybody wished everybody else a "Happy New Year." It was the greeting of even the conductors on the owl cars, and the bartenders celebrated it by buying eggnog for their customers.
Today everyone who writes letters will have a hard time remembering to write "1909."
All over the city and in the cafes many "watch parties" greeted the coming of January 1.
More than 1,600 persons ate and drank in the new year at the Baltimore hotel. It was the formal opening of the Baltimore's new addition.
Every dining room was filled with brilliantly gowned women and their escorts. They began coming soon after 9 o'clock The most of them came in after the theaters. Each party was provided with a ticket that entitled them to their table, which had been reserved. No one who had not reserved and ordered in advance was served there last night.
The tables and dining rooms were decorated. The coming of the new year was celebrated by drinking toasts and by waving flags which formed part of the table decorations.
