The Portland daily press., 1876-03-14
what Children Cam Do.

In January, 1874. five children, about twelve
years of age, desiring to be useful, formed
themselves into society, took the name of 'iSt.
Nicholas Circle" and have, since that time,
met together nearly every week. From the ear
liest start they earned the money to buy all the
material for their work, and during the two
years have received only about three dollars as
donations lin sums from five cents 70 one dol
lar.) In April, 1874, they held Drawing Room
Fair, from which, after paying all expenses
they realized the sum of one hundred and sixty
dollars, one hundred and forty of which they
gave to the Portland Fraternity. They then
put into the Savings Bank 500 to start fund
or to use at any time if needfu in the future.
The success which attended their efforts and
the kind patronage of friends gave them new
courage. These little people were determined
to go on with their work. They asked the priv
lege of furnishing a room in the Maine Gene
raj Hospital. 1t was granted.
Again in April. 1876, they held a Parlor Fair
and, although the proceeds were less than be-
fore, they were enough tc encourage them to
keep on with their work. AS these children
were the first to propose furnishing room ),
they were allowed choice. Their plan being
to make their offering at Christmas time, their
room was to be called the ''St. Nicholas Room
for their Patron Saint good Old st. Nicholas,
whom the children all love. Everything was
ready in December, but owing to some delay in
the carpenters work at the hospital they were
obliged to wait. Still it is their Christmas offer
ing all the came, notwithstanding the delay, a
Christmas offering to the Maine General Hls-
ba c.
that our readers may see what these jealous
children have done, we append list of the ar
ticles furnished: Walnut chamber set, China
chamber set, calico comforter, white mar
settles quilt, pair blankets, sheets, ~ pillow
cases, 20 towels, Turkish wash cloths, 1 rub
ber sheet. 1 rubber water bag, cushion and mats
for bureau, cornucopia, match safe, cologne
stand, Loving Words for Lonely Hours, vase,
carpet. The whole cost $218 So, but as all of
the articles which were bought were furnished
at cost, $500 is Eear the value.
AN INTERESTING TRIAL.--The suit of Edgar
S. Brown, Esq, member of the Cumberland
Bar, against Deputy Sheriff Adams, to recover
$4,000 for alleged malicious imprisonme ut, is
now on trial and is quite interesting. Mr.
Brown was arrested by Mr.. Adams on an exc
cution for about $35 and costs, and committed
to Jail. The plaintiff claims that the officer
was actuated by malice apd consequently did
not give him an opportunity to get bail. The
case was opened for the plaintiff by G. E. Cliff
ford, Esq, and Attorney Brown was the only
witness who testified. Gen. MatGocks appear
ed for the defendant and subjected the witness
to a very searching and at times dissgreeable
cross-examinaton. He could only recall one
pretext for malice on the part of the sheriff
and that was conversation some time previ-
ous Mr.. Brown was in Jail about
twenty hours, but in that time his nervous sys-
tenn received such shock that he was unable
for some weeks to sleep without light in his
room because as soon as his eyes We're shut in
dark room, he saw the bars Of the Jail win
dows Tie case will be continued to-day. 1t is
quite interesting for the spectators