Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-30
MERRY CHRISTMAS FOR POOR
CHILDREN.

the ground OF nlleged fraud and corruption.
MERRY CHRISTMAS FOR POOR
CHILDREN.
The Dinner In the Second District.
SCENES AT THE CHRISTMAS CLUB ENTERTAINMENT At
THE NATIONAL RIFLES HALL To-DAY-sIx
HUNDRED AT TABLE.
The annual dinner Of the Christmas Club of the
second district to the poor children was given to-
Gay at the National Rifles hail. and in point OF
attendance nd in the character of the entertain
ment1t exceeded that given last year. The ladies
and gentlemen who have given their time and
attention to the preparations were hard at work
all day yesterday in arranging the hall. In the
drill room down stairs six tables ran the length OF
the room, and at the head was another long table,
places being thus provided for 600 guests At
each plate was placed an orange, an apple, a roll
and glass of water: On the plates which were
spread was 6ountiful supply of cold turkey and
apple sauce. Paper napkins were furnished the
little ones Upon the tables at intervals were large
plates OF cake. Potted plants, in gold and silver
stands Sent by President Arthur added to the tasty
appearance presented by the white tables and their
appetlZtng menu. Five hundred tickets had been
printed, which were distributed by the police from
lists furnished by members OF the club In addi-
ton Lieut. Guy distributed some hundred slips, and
SO the number OF guests reached 600. To provide
entertainment for this large number 1910 had been
received by private Subscriptions, including s96
which were LETT from last year. besides, gener-
Gus donations OF food clothing and toys were sent
very few were sent in The members OF the club
began to arrive at IL O'Clock, and among the first
was
MISS NELLIE ARTHUR,
who has taken great interest in the Christmas club
OF which she Is president After they had laid
aside their wraps and donned their cute little white
aprons and caps they were ready for their little
guests. Some Of the latter in their anxiety to be
present In time had left their homes early in the
morning and were found waiting about the armory
entrance hours before the time designated. When
o'clock came the doors were opened and the little
ones flOcked in. Capt. oyster, the commanding
officer OF the National Rifles, with number Of the
members, volunteered their services to the club and
gave very efficient aid In marShaling the little ones
In the hall Tney poured In by twoS and threes, the
older ones leading the smaller by the hands. BY
half-paSt one the tables were all full, over 600
children having entered the hail. There were some
twenty-five or thirty children left outside, and
these were finally admitted and given places in the
window receSseS.
THE DINNER AND THE CHRISTMAS TREE
MIR. Andrew Bradley then called for order and In
voice that made his words heard distinctly in all
parts OF the hail. Rev. Dr. Bartlett the pastor of the
New York avenue church, said grace. Then MI
is to with WIS you a All he po 6os
things had disappeared or rather, as there was an
abundance, when the children had finished their
there they saw a most beautiful Spectacle e,ci
The hall had been darkened and the gas
lit, .o and md, in the e, center Of the platform
tree fairly gttering and glowing with all sorts Of
beautiful things, and near the tree was stationed
the Marine band, which played march as the
children came In. After the little ones had ex-
hausted the wonders OF the tree they saw great
piles Of white bundles at the foot of the tree These
contained clothing, toys, &C, and besides to each
1oyed an entertainment, which consisted OF Punch
and Judy and a minstrel performance by the Boys
Minstrel company. Then Mr. Murray delighted
them with some magic lantern pictures, and finally
Mr.. Ed Hay appeared as
SANTA CLAUS,
and made each child happy py distributing the
gifts. The children were then dismissed and off,
GERS saw them safely In the hacks and buses which
the liverymen and others had kindly rendered
antly to ALL
large number OF people were present in the
upper hali to witness the pleasure of the children,
guests. Among the invited guests were President
Arthur and Mr. W. w. Corcoran.
The East Washington Christmas Club
Dinner.
The street in front OF Odd Fellows hail. on Capt.
tol Hill, where the East Washington Christmas
club gave the poor children OF that section a
Christmas dinner, was alive with little ones to-day
Big bus loads were dumped on the pavement in
front Of the door and their lively prattle made the
whole region look like Christmas An odor sug-
gestive OF Christmas dinner came floating down
the stairs and into the street and encouraged the
children to push their way into the promised land
Inside six long tables with seats for 300 groaned
under the merry load OF Christmas delicaciea At
each place was big wooden plate, served
with turkey, salads, nuts, Candies apples oranges
cake, and all sorts OF sweet-meats The tables were
loaded, and as the children filed in they were
shown to their seats and waited on by the little
girls who compose the club. Dinner was prepared
for between $50 and 500 children 800 being served
at the first table and the rest as they finished The
room was full OF happy young faces, and when din
ner was over and the curtain that hung In front Of
the stage, and had been the object OF many side
chances during the meal, was rolled up, displaying
a Christmas tree. the music played, the children
clapped their hands, and Christmas was there in
deed. Then the presents were distributed, and
every child present got present and little box Of
candy. When all was over The glad children were
taken home in 'busses, and the remains OF the
dinner Will be served among the poor.
EX-SENATOR CoNKLIHa MADE an argument to-day
before the commissioner OF patents, in behalf of
Edison in the telephone Interference case OF Draw
baugh VS. Blake VS.. Edison.
PATENTS were issued to-day to the residents Of
the District as follows Geo. L. Ahmay WASH
tngton, file box; A. j. Amber hydro-carbon vapor
fuel generator and burner; John E. Clokey, fire.