The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-12-29

Boys and girls, while you eat this Christmas
dinner. thank not only those friends who have
provided it for you, but spare one thought for
the Friend who was born, ard lived, and died
that you might have merry Christmas.
AS soon as Mr.. CLARK had concluded the
children were invited to fall to, and they did
so with relish, but they exhibited table man
ners that might have put TO the blush children
Of more Fortunate parents. There was no
crowding, no examining. but far from that,
some were almost dainty. Not that they did
not like their dinner, or failed to do it full
justice, but ate quietly and slowly with evil
dent enjoyment. When plates were emptied
fresh supplies were provided and good hour
was passed in discussing the dinner.
1t was curious TO note some of the children.
There was one little beauty about seven years
old, with golden hair, great blue eyes, and
lovely complexion with just tinge Of color in
the cheeks. There was little girl
tn most interesting face, who came hob
bling In on her crutch. And here an incident
comes in. A lady, name unknown, sent
beautiful doll to the committee and said, il
possible, she would like--if any were present
to have it given to cripple. The doll, in tbs
distribution of presents, became the propsfty
of this little girl, and there was not head
placed upon its pillow at night so happy DIS that
of this poor little lame child. There were two
sisters, one about ten, the other about five years
OF age, and it was interesting to watch how the
younger sister looked up TO the eldeE before
venturing on a single movement. Bat space
forbids further mention of these interesting
details.
AS soon as the children had finished the
tables were Immediately removed, the pIsses
and debris removed in the baskets, and in q
very few moments the children were all seated
on the settees about the hall while the centre
was devoted to fun. Now appeared the hobby
horse with its strange prancings and curvet-
ings, and the gay, merry laughter of the chill
dren rang through the hall and was infectious.
Then the two Santa Claus appeared in the ira
ditional robes, and made all happy with their
gifts of candies and goodies. Little Ernestine
Leavitt, daughter of Mr.. F. A. Leavitt, a
beautiful child. recited with much dignity and
excellent taste, "Tbe night before Christina
Deputy Collector Moulton followed with ''The
mouse in the wall" and Mr.. George Thomas
sang "Sim N the Cellarer." But when the
Christmas tree on the stage was lighted, one
little girl said to her neighbor, sOhi Bessie, it
looks as if the stars had caught in the tree"
and all the children gave sigh of delight.
Then they were all once more marshaled, as
when they came in, and passing across the
stage to each was handed toy, in some cases
sled, in another chld's toilet set, again
checker-board, or perhaps a doll, and then
marched to their dressing room, and thence
down the broad staircase out of the building
receiving as they left an orange and apple
each. And after they had reached the street
there was great talk of what good time they
had enjoyed, and presents were compared.
To Miss Ella S. sargent is especially due the
great success of the whole interchangeable
no one will dispute-and most ably has she
been assisted by the committees. Mrs. DIR.
Bacon was chairman of the committee on
clothing, Mrs. j. e. Babon of the refresh
ment committee, Mr.. f. B.. Knapp floor
manager, the Bee Minor Club had charge of
the presents and tree, and the Fortnigh+ly
Club of the tables, assistedlby sixty members of
the Christmas Club. To Mr.. M B. Gilbert,
who had charge Of the guests of the club, great
praise should be awarded. He devoted him-
self to the work and the admirable promptness
with which everything went off was due in
great measure to him; also to Messrs. Geo. A.
Thomas and Fred Shaw who assumed the role
of santa Claus, and to Master Elliot Mitchell
WHO took the part of the Hobby-horse