Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-06

ran geE1e1ts in Progress to Help SANTA
Claus in His Merry Wo-I<-C',iidren
Who Esave NO Christmas III EHoGhe.
Miss West, daughter of Commissioner West, and
Miss Waite, daughter .. Chief Justice Waite, the
two young ladies who have interested themselves
as managers OF the ChilGrens Christmas Club, Of
the second district have called a meeting OF the
club TO be held at Franklin school building at half
past seven o'clock wednesday evening. All the
members OF the club. those who were members last
year as well as those who have Just joined will
then give IN their names for re-enlstment in the
good service Little Nellie Arthur the daughter of
the President, has been reelected president of the
club. and is very active in interesting her play
mates III IT She makes many inquiries about her
'little poor children" and Is very anxious to make
the club a great success she Is an active little
worker.
The plan Of the club, which was first suggested
IL this city BY publication in THE STAR last WIN
ter was explained again in last Saturdays STAR
There are hundreds Of children in this city to whom
the coming OF Christmas brings JOY, or to whom
it would bring no pleasure, but for The work OF the
Christmas club. Many have learned from the
pangs Of want 10 look upon Christmas a time
when their misery Is to be Knocked by tie happi-
ness OF more fortunate ones around them. and on
Christmas CAV, instead OF Santa Claus. Jack Frost
comes down The chimney, where 10 ere burns, and
snaps DIS DiQe myers IN thtiT races as they peep
out from under ragged COvcrieiS at the dawn OF
Christmas morning. The Chin cod wind risks
about their rags, piDCheS their noses, and stamps
On their half naked toes. as they 90 out On the
frosty streets in the hopeless hunt for food and fa
gptS. The ladies' and gentlemen who took upon
themselves the Office o. bringing Christmas for the
nTSt time into some wTetChed homes last winter, and
excited kind feeling In the breasts Of those who
have plenty for their less fortunate little neigh
DorS. saw many pathetic scenes in making their
visits TO the poor In some houses they found the
Whole family OF children shiVering about an empty
stove, with neither food nor fuel in the house In
some cases they found little ones trying to make
Christmas out OF q little spray OF green picked I'D
OF the street. and rags lily constructed into the
semblance OF doll. trying to be happy like other
children on Christmas in spite Of hunger and cold.
Some OF the children were barefOOted, ana so near
naked that they could not go out DOORS and had to
be clothed before they could attend the Christmas
dinner the Childrcns club provided for them Many
children We're III in bed, were CTtppleS confined
10 their rooms. and the Joy with which they re-
ccived the presents sent them was pathetic TO see
Aelr eyes Sparkled as they Rugged the toys close
up into their arms, and some seemed as If they
were happy fGr the first time in their life. Five
hundred OF these poor little ones were found and
MADE happy last Christmas. and as many more
Will get no Christmas dinner thiSyear except what
Is provided by the Christmas club. Last season the
merchants donated articles from their stores which
could be made useful, either for the Christmas tree
and dinner, or for the relief OF The poor at their
homes The pTOpretCTs OF the various hotels sent
turkeys for the dinner their contributions; the
Children contributed toys and clothing which they
had outgrown, and other charitable people sent in
whatever they had at hand IL was the most sue
cessful attempt 10 make happy Christmas that
was ever made in this city. There was probably
not child In the city who did not get some sort OF
present on that day. This season the same thing
VIII be repeated, and everybody who takes an in
tereSt in seeing children made happy at Christmas
times viii do all they can 10 make the effort sue
cess. Moreover. the good work Is not OF one day
es the club continues TO look after the sick and
poor children Contributions OF TOYS and clOt hing
Will be sent 20 Miss Waite, at No. 1915 / street
northwest. Persons Wishing 10 donate turkeys
will notify Judge Macarthur who Will direct where
they snail be delivered, and money contributions
Will be received at The STAR Office, as they were
last year.