Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-12-29

Work as the members desired, but through the hard
labors OF several committees OF both sexes. among
.e aduit friends OF the children the main objects
were most successfully accomplished The first
ldea was TO give dinner to the poor children of
this section of the CITY, but at meeting OF the club
over week ago this was abandoned for several rea-
sous, one OF which was that many of the children
sought 10 be benefited were SICK and would be Iln-
ape % attend dinner party. Another was, that
though the parents OF many OF the children are
POOR vet they would not like to have their children
ClasSed among the poor and needy in public way:
out the main objection was the fact that there ar
mn 'athonG families among the worthy poor of
isdJihe OF meat Oh Friday. SO it was thought
t rs n.1' 20 D. e, give an entertainment in the
NE nan OF the Jefferson school building In lieu OF
the dinner, consisting OF music, rotations &C. an
tAteiieht program OF which was arranged by q
cot4l5tee OF ladies appointed for that purpose,
anu the performers drilled in their several parts for
the occasion. Another feature was the adornment
vi an immense CHRISTMAS tree planted in the mid
Gle or the stage, which was loaded down with every
thlng pretty in the way OF nice little gifts and
sweet with everything In the way OF candles and
The preparations which had first been made for
the suDStantlals necessary for good Christmas
dllnef Were by no means lost.
DISTRIBUTING CHICKENS.
The dressed chickens, which had already been
donated for the dinner, were not cooked but care
iuy laid aside, and others added to the number by
| purchase and further donations. until they were
counted by the BARREL and proved sufficient to fur
nish every poor family represented at the enter
tainment with from one to four good fat chickens,
winch were distributed TO and taken home by the
children, together with other good things.
The business men OF South Washington and the
citizens generally In that section, as soon as the
club was organized, set to work in good earnest to
| make 1t success, and seemed to vie with each
other in contributing their time and means to that
emu ME- Burt on 9TH street, and Mir. WeX, on Az
| tr1butionS
THE HALL.
When the doors OF the jefferson building were
thrown open the children were directed to the hall
#here the Christmas tree was in full decoration
Inc guests were arranged with the boys on the
lett tier OF benches fronting the stage the girls In
the center tier and the musicians and speakers on
the right tier, with spectators in the rear of those
named. The little guests were generally bright
looking SET and behaved themselves with much
propriety. Several feeble looking boys and girls
mtIe AotCed as they nled In; one father OF sick
until the close or the exercises when he was loaded
WIN Toys ana appeared as happy as the rest;
10 GOOD seat, where the bright scene before her
appeared to cheer up the little Invalid amazingly
THE ENTERTAINMENT.
The exercises were opened without ceremony,
ana the following program carried out to perfection
by the young ladies OF the grammar school, under
the direction OF Mrs. NJ E. Martin the teacher:
Chorus recitation by Katie Davidson solo by T1llie
koehler; Frog Song" a semi-chorus; recitation,
Envy Richold: duet, Misses Richold and Mcconnell.
recitation Blanche Hipkins: Jtncle RelIs chorus.
iHstl uinental duet; recitation, Emma Crook solo
win piano accompaniment, by Katie Carol, clos
ing with the Grow Song,' by John Davidson,
which was very amusing.
NEW ARRIVAL.
AS soon as the applause evoked by the last per-
romance died out the footsteps OF some one running
up the steps outside heard; the door was flung
Wide open. and in marched Santa Claus hale and
hearty, with long gray beard and hair red cheek
and nose, and heavy Oyercoat buttoned to the chin
He proceeded TO his work amid the shouts of the
Children. The jolly Old chan, without ceremony
mounted the stage an took approving surveyor the
Christmas tree as he walked around it, s;oDpnp to
cast Jolly wink at the children and to laugh so as
TO Jingle all the bells attached to him. the boys
We're brought up TO the stage nplatoonsof dozen,
ana each was supplied by the delighted old chap
WIN toys and bags of candies. nuts, cakes &c
stands fuli OF candies and sugar pulns. boxes OF
anu wooden carts, horses wagons and every con-
CtlHahl6 TOY, We're drawn upon by jolly old st. Mex
unI All were fully supplied. Then the little
girls turn, and the same thing was repeated But
the stock on hand did give out at all and Santa
Si>slS delegated committee Of ladies' 10 distribute
what he had left TO the poor little children who by
SCsEeaS, insufficient clothing or other causes We're
unable to attend the party.
FOR LITTLE LAME GIRL.
An extra-szed doll baby, nicely dressed was con-
trbuted BY sick girl, with wish that it be sent
10 little lame girl who could not attend A fine
Wlcker-WOrk cane armchair for the doll was sent
with it. Some OF the little ones could hardly hold
IN their arms the loads of toys, nuts and fruits
given them. One diminutiye fat boy while exhibit
Ing his treasures in the aisles, dropped pretty
orange, which rolled dowu to the front seat but he
Went for it, Scrambling over seats and under seats
until he got it. Many funny scenes took place dur
ing the distribution. All were happy and satisfied
santa Claus, having finished his work mysteriolsIy
ais While al were absorbed with the fun
MI MI Baum ana MI Petty who were very active on
that the sight OF so many bright faces and twnkl1ng
eyes more than repaid them for their labors.
THE SCENES IN THE HALL
being ended, the little guests were ushered out
through tpto ha
scended the stairways to the basement, where In
one OF the large school rooms were ranged long
benches piled with the substantials to be taken by
the children to their homes consisting OF dressed
chickens, nice white bread cut In large pieces, |
apples, oranges, candies, sweetmeats pound cake
1llt CAKE and all other kinds Of cakes known to the
bakers. These were made up into lots and placed |
INTO new chip grape baskets, each one containing
from one 10 four chickens, according to the number
IN the family, and heaped up with other nice |
things The children, when they received their
baskets were dismissed for their homes.
On the committees OF ladies who labored most |
FAITHFULLY for success were Mrs w. H. Baum, Mrs.
n E. Martin, Miss Sarah Henning, Mrs Smith, Miss |
Mona Thomas, Mrs Kate Thomas, Miss Ella d. |
I Davidson and others The committee OF gentle
thompson. santa Claus was unprecedented by Mr. |
W. Ii. Byers, janitor OF the Amidon school building
The Fourth District Club.
Hooray for the Christmas club" shouted a |
ragged little urchn on bus that was leaving the |
the sentiment met hearty response, for when he |
threw his tattered cap In the air. half hundred
little voices ch1med Ia with shrtu s'hooraysn and |
half hundred hats and caps were swung aIoft
such Fat turkeys lifting up their Drowned legs as If
1nplor1ng TO be eaten at once, such plump oranges
ana red apples, such vast treasures OF cakes and
COOKIES, from The rich coinage OF the baking pan.
such beautiful groves Of celery, besides serene lakes
OF cranberry sauce such mountain ranges OF hams
oVershadoW;ng tablelandS OF SavOry mince pies
and such wh0ie biographies of nuts and canfies'
and preserves. the guests OF the CLUB were ready to
AGGREGATION.
Eight long tables were placed In the halls In the
lower part OF the building, and loaded with good
things TO eat. By each plate was placed paper
napkin, little tray filled with nuts and candies
lumber OF milk, and within easy reach patters and
dishes, heaped up with slices OF turkey, cold meats
sdndWlches, sauces, celery. cakes, and everything
good thal hungry boy or girl could dream OF.
reserve, sufficient TO provision small army was
kept In one OF the adjacent school rooms At one
end OF the hall were the letters sc. C. c." and at
worked In eyergreenS.
THE DOORS OPENED.
At half-past 10 O'Clock the doors were opened to |
the swarm Of little boys and girls who were wait
Ing outside, clutching Invitation cards In their
hands. There were little boys and girls OF all
Sizes from that very small stature COM
monty described 'knee-hlgh-to-a- grass-hop-
PERI up to tall, lank lads, who had
grown so fast that their clothes could not
keep up with them, and consequently had consid-
cradle shirt exposed between the bottom OF their
Wa1stc0atS and the top OF their trousers and good