The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1884-01-16
For the Central Presbyterian.
Letter to the Children.
MATAMoRAs, MEXICO, Dec. 26, :

My Dear Little Calico F51ends,-As
early as November 25th, three bundles
came rolling in to me, which we opened
joyfully. Carefully taking down names
of senders, put the goods safely away
In trunk. Next mail brought six and
next nine and so they have kept tumb-
ling in from all States, from Kansas to
New York, without skipping one, until
people on the streets seeing Mr., Hall so
frequently with christmas bundles" be-
gan to call him Santa Claus" and the
merchants to say was breaking up their
trade ! for would you believe it? l have
had bundles from more than 500 chill
dren.
1t has given me great pleasure-this
receiving the calicoes {" Indianas," the
Mexicans say, and to answer notes I re-
ceived at the same time. I had no idea
how many loving hearts belonged to us,
nor how anxious you all were to help me.
thank you many many times, and shall
feel sure that when l have any need
again, have only to summon my In
dianas" to my aid.
Several bundles brought other things,
such as dollies and rabbits, which you
know, are very necessary inhabitants of
Christmas trees, so l was not provoked.
a few letters brought money, which
bought candies, which has to 90 up too,
and as oranges are cheap here, bought
one hundred, taking a stitch in each with
coarse needle and zephyr, so as to hang
them easily. These, with the candies in
pink and white tarlatan bags cut in shape
of baby stockings, and overcast with
bright yarns, looked ever so pretty. If
you had seen the tree you might have
thought it was an orange tree with the
fruit unplucked.
The calico shirts and dresses made up
the best presents they received. We
gave the older girls bright bows of rib
bon besides, and to the little ones the
dollies, together with their candies and
oranges. The scrap books and handker-
chiefs sent made nice extras for the big
boys, and l bought few balls, tops and
jumping apes for the tiny ones.
Little Pancho was there, and Panchita,
and Modesto, and Exiquia, Mignel Apo
LIMO, and Anita, with many more as hap
Ply and bright.
Some ready made clothes were sent at
different times, which made some so pre-
sentable that Miss Dysart said che scarce
ly recognized them as her daily pupils
/ received such an abundance, that
after providing for our school of 70, /
supplied the Mexican Sunday School in
Brownsville, also two rancho Sunday
Schools, and now have a goodly lot to
turn over to our "Dorcas Society" which |
will remain under my care. So you see,
though cannot teed the hungry,
"I'll clothe the poor,
And all will bless you who leave my door"
Three sad notes came from friends of |
darlings who had died, and whose money
bought calico to send me. Some of their |
clothes, too, were sent, which gave right
out to be worn. One mamma wrote that |
her only little one had died since she
bought his part, but in submissive grief
she would try to do for him what would |
have pleased him if he had lived.
We had our entertainment on the 24th |.
We were dreading a whizzing Norther, |
but it did not come. The day and even
ing were lovely. No fires anywhere, and |
no suffering. The church windows were
all up, and sweet roses were climbing and /
twinlng up the trunk Of the tree, and on
the edges Of the platform,
Seeming to say,
Surely lis May,
And not December
The children began the exercises by
singing, Gloria Dios en- 10 alto" which |
/ know you can translate; then some
speeches from boys and girls, then songs,
then speeches, until all were through, !
and the merrment began Of stripping