New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-12-27
NEW ORLEANS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2z 1870

Christmas at the Boys House Of Refuge.
Christmas was celebrated at this institu-
ton on Sunday in the most becoming and
pleasant manner possible to the one hun
dred and twenty boys who have become in
voluntarily the wards Of the city.
To the truly humane and philanthropic it
is always pleasant work to make the poor
and unfortunate happy-as happy as cir
culnstanees will admit-and to this end
have all things tended at the Boys House
of Refuge since it has come Hnder the
charge OF its present worthy .Superintend-
ent. Major Henry.
With view Of having the boys properly
clad for the season, and that they might
present uniform appearance, Major Henry
obtained authority, through Colonel Lewis,
the Administrator of Police, for having
each boy furnished with new uniform suit
ON Christmas day. This propitious thought
on the part Of the superintendent inspired
the boys with hopeful visions Of what was
in store for them, and arrayed in their new
uniform suits the morning observances Of
the day were appropriately commenced by
the celebration of high mass.
After these religious ceremonies bad been
performed in most impressive manner by
members of the Roman Catholic Church, a
large number Of medals, with proper in
scriptions on them, were distributed among
the boys, to be worn around the neck. After
the performance of religious duties, another
scene was in store for the boys that did not
fail to gladden. their young hearts and make
them feel that they had true friends.
Messrs. McCafrey, McCabe, Burns, and
other gentlemen of the st. Vincent de Paul
society, came prepared to furnish them with
presents, in the way Of toys, and all the
requisites for o most bountiful dinner. Al
though ample arrangements had been made
| by the city fathers for Christmas dinner
for their wards, the superintendent, Mr.
Henry, very properly accepted Of the din
ner so kindly provided by the gentlemen
named, and had it properly prepared.
| In the meantime, the presents we're dis
tributed and the gentlemen who gave them
entered into game Of football with the
boys, and the utmost happiness seemed topper
wade all present until the hour for dinner had
arrived. The boys were then arranged BY
the superintendent in marching order, and
marched to a most sumptuous dinner, the
gentleman friends accompanying them and
assisting in waiting upon the table. AL
though the boys enjoyed themselves hugely
and showed every sign Of real happiness
we doubt whether they had more pleasure
than the kind gentlemen who assisted il
bringing joy to their young hearts. Afte1
dinner, apples, oranges and candies were
freely distributed, and it really seemed thai
the boys had more good things than they
knew what to do with.
1t is the intention Of Major Henry to giv'
the boys q New Years dinner with tn,
money appropriated by the City Fathers, ant
thus, through the goodness Of kind friends
they will be enabled to enjoy the incoming
of the new year in spirit of gladness.
There was quite a large number of visitor
present, beside the gentlemen named, ant
after the boys had been properly cared for
the superintendent and his amiable wife
who makes IN excellent matrOn, found tiin'
to entertain few friends in most agreea
! Ill. r,,ouuar around tho festiva hoard