Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-12-25

name on the front of the card, with the
giver's name on the back.
For three days before the festival, these
little guests" could come to the clothing
loom and from the donations made by the
members" receive boots, shoes, hoods,
dresses, trousers, and jackets-whatever
they needed TO enable them to present a
neat and orderly appearance at the fes-
tival.
Let US look into the City Hall at half
past one on the afternoon Of Holy Inno-
cents Day, Dec. 2S, the most fitting day
for this children's feast.
The gallery is reserved for those mem
bers Of the Club who have no work to do
during tha, afternoon. But, beside these,
no other spectators are admitted TO the
hall; no grown persons, except the CON-
mittees who are TO assist during the fes-
tival in various ways. The stage sup
ports lofty tree, decorated that morn
ing by the members, while, on tables be-
hind, are heaped presents for 600 chill
dren. Around the edge of the hall set
tees have been placed for the guests,
while the entire centre is converted into
banqueut 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 stand
ing at the foot Of every table 4; a men,
Der Of the Club stands at either side as
waiter" to see tha, no guest lacks any
thing.
In the an,eroom, the Reception Com
mit,ee, consisting Of fifteen boys and fif-
teen girls, under the direction Of gen.
tleman 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 Of twenty,
each line headed by one of the Reception
Committee. The doors are thrown open,
the band plays march, and the long
procession file, 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 today; grimy 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 goodwill and love
radiating from every face.
Among the presents sent in was large
doll, handsomely dressed, to which was
pinned his note:
IL there Is any little lame girl at the fes-
tival, this doll is for her.
As the line wound along, tender
murmur ran through the hall, for there,
leaning upon crutches, came little girl,
and every little boy and girl whispered
on the instant, THAT doll is for her
The ch ildren stood around the tables,
the leaders taking their places at the
head.
The musicians lay aside their instru.
ments and deep quiet rests upon those
ranks of children, as the President Of the
Club rises and extends the Christmas
greeting Of the Children's Christmas Club
to its guests.
After that, clergyman took them
back to that day, eighteen hundred and
eighty-two years before. Then the great
and cruel King Herod sent out his decree
that every child under two years or age
should be put to death, and his execu-
TONERS went forth and slaughtered every
one; but the little Christ-child was
saved. Saved for what: To live to
teach people that little ones are precious to
their Heavenly Father, and that liz every
little child is something that will live
forever-the price of which is far above
rubies.
The band then played gayly, and the
guests who had waited so patiently and
respectfully were invited to partake Of the
feast.
Every plate had been previously filled
with generous supply Of turkey or chick
en-, and every table had an unfailing
source of ham, tongue, pickles, cake and
pie, and for nearly an hour the little hosts
and hostesses served their guests before
conducting them to the settees awaiting
them.
You can judge best whether the dinner
vas appreciated, by my telling you Of