Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-12-01
them to present neat and orderly appearance
at the festival

Der 2Sth, the most fitting day for this children's
feast
The gallery is reserved for those members of
the club who have no work to do during that
afternoon. But, besides these no other specta-
tors are admitted to the hall; no grown persons
except the committees who are to assist during
the festival in various ways. The stage sup
ports lofty tree. decorated that morning by
the members. while, on tables behind are heaped
presents for six hundred children. Around the
edge of the hail. settees have been placed for
the guests. while the entire center is converted
| into a banquet hall.
Thirty long tables are loaded with all that
makes Christmas dinners the best in the year.
Ten plates are laid at each side of those tables.
! A lady is standing at the foot of every table: a
member Of the club stands at either side as
waiter" to see that no guest lacks anything.
| In the anterOOm, the reception committee,
consisting of fifteen boys and fifteen girls,
under the direction of a gentleman who has
consented to take charge OF the guests, await
the arrivals.
Looking down the broad staircase, we see the
| lower hall filled with children, whose eager
upturned faces are reward enough for all the
labor.
Soon the six hundred have had hats and caps
and clOaks safely checked and are marshaled in
thirty lines oftwenty, each line headed by one
of the reception committee. The doors are
thrown open. the band plays a march, and the
| long procession files in-twenty girls. then
twenty boys; up and down, in and out, through
the six long aisles. between the tables, and
twice around the hall before the last one has
| entered.
Such line of faces, beaming with Joy or
timid with bewildered awe; rough hair smooth
to-day; grmy hands cleanly scrubbed; no harsh
words, no jostling. no disorder, as rank after
rank enters, and the quick eyes take in the
beauty of the Christmas garlands the towering
| tree, and, best of all, the good will and love
radiating from every face.
Among the presents sent in was a large doll,
handsomely dressed, to which was pinned this
note:
IF there is little lame girl at the festival this
| AS the line wound along, a tender murmur
ran through the hall, for there leaning upon
'crutches, came a lame girl, and every little
boy and girl whispered Oh the instant, THAT
| doll is for her.
The children stood around the tables. the
leaders taking their places at the head.
The musicians lay aside their instruments.
and a deep quiet rests upon those ranks of
children, as the president of the club rises and
| extends the Christmas greeting of the Childrens
Christmas Club to its guests
! After that. a clergyman took them back to
that day, eighteen hundred and eighty-twO wears
before. when the great and cruel King HerOd
sent out his decree that every child under two
years Old should be put to death, and his exc
Cutloners went forth and slaughtered everv one:
but the Gttle Christ-child was saved. Saved for
what? To live to teach people that little chill
drcn are precious to their Heavenly Father and
that IN every little child is something that will
live forever--the price Of which is far above
rubes.
The band then played gayly and the guests
who had waited SO patiently and respectfully
were invited to partakc of the feast
Every plate had been previously filled with a
generous supply OF turkey or chicken, and every
table had an unfailing source of ham, tongue
pickles. cake. and pie. and for nearly an hour
the little hosts and hOstcsses served their guests
before conducting them to the settees awaiting
them.
You can Judge best whether the dinner was
appreciated. by my telling you of one little girl
who when asked If she preferred chicken or
turkey replied. Il Amt never tasted chicken"
and OF the boy who put aside, in a little pie
beside his plate. the incest part of everything
given him. When asked If he did not want to
eat that he looked up shyly. SAYING please
may carry that home to mother? She's Sick
While the children are marching around to
their seats, those thirty tables disappear as if by
magic. caught up by ready hands leaving the
floor clear for games and amuSenents
Where were the most eager faccs-amOng the
'.menibers in the gallery Of the guests about
tne nan: Which were the happier?
think there was no difference; for when our
hearts are full to the brim with JOY. they can
hold no more, and if screams and peals of
laughter. and quick clappng of hands, mean
loyousnpss: they were both as happy as they
could be.
There was so much TO enjoy!
A little girl rected beautifully Twas the
night before Christmas;' a queer hObby-hOrse
as large as lie curveted and pranced about the
hall, taking fright at everything, and conyus-
ing the house with laughter as he waltZed i'm
time with the music; some gentlemen sang
funny songs and told the most amusing stories;
and suddenly who should appear but Santa
Claus himself. He was clothed all in fur from
his head to his feet" and carried on his back q
rack containing six hundred bags of candy
AS the sunlight faded. a tiny raw suddenly
flashed from the highest branch Of the Christ
mas tree, and a little voice cried "Oh, Bessy.
Sc" the star" Then another and another twink
ing light crept out, till the graceful! Christmas
tree stood TRANSPORTED, all ag.eam with light
pretty device had been to tie among the
branches ''sun-bows," as wee one called a
prism. and the tiny candles were reflected in q
hundred swayng mirrors.
a quiet awe had rested upon the children as
they brcathcssly watched the stars creep out;
but as flood of light burst upon them from the
ceiling grand hurrah went up. Then a strain
or music came, soft at first. but soon swelling
into mighty chorus
Praise God" from whom all blessings flow"
Where are the presents all this time? Safely
waiting on long tables behind the tree. where
now each rank of twenty is led by the hosts who
have SO cordially done their duty through the
afternoon.
Up the flight, at the lett of the stage, goes the
long procession, on to the stage and near that
gtterng tree whose broad arms stretch ont as
ITO welcome them. Then present is laid in
every hand, and on goes the line down the steps
at the right, out into the dressing rooms, and
then home.
The lame child. whom we saw when she came
In receives the doll sent for her; and among the
fathers and mothers there not one can keep back
the tears.
"They slung me a pair o. skates!" cried one
boy who literally could not restrain his iov
1t seemed to be always the right thing for the
right child. Was it because they have So few
that any gift is precious?
But even this is not all: for, after thew are
wrapped in their outdoor garments (Which are
all too thin) apples and oranges are slipped into
their pockets and packages of food for sick
mothers are put into their hands
Thus closes the happy day.
Looking up the deserted staircase. a little
later, a gentleman saw, all unconscious of time
or place. child sitting there, with do-her
hrst doll, probably-tightly clasped in her arms,
gently swaying to and fro, grooming soft
lullaby.
VIII you print all this. st. Nicholas?
VIII You ask your readers if there shall rot be
other Christmas clubs this year? If all the
children in every city, every town, and every
village. Shall not have one good dinner, one
happy day. every year?
If you Will do this, dear st. Nicholas. I am
sure may give you the thanks of all the men,
bcrs of the Portland Christmas Club, who have
learned by experience that there is no way so
sure OF making their own hearts glad "a to make