Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-26
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mouse through the rooms or cells occupied by
In the almshouse an abundance of turkey,
mashed potatoes, cranberries boiled turnips
and celery was served at each plate in the long
dining-room. At each plate also was deposited
tremendous slice of bread, which served as a
pedestal for piece OF mince pie of propOrtionate
dimensions. At II O'Clock. when all these
preparations had been completed, the gong was
sounded. The inmates OF the house needed no
second call. The tempting odors, which had
hoated up from the dining-room on the lower
floor and penetrated the remotest corner of the
building. had already awakened keen inter-
est in the probabilities of dinner. They came
trooping down in single file, some limping,
some steadying their infirm old bodies by lean
ing heavily on canes, but all smiling. The
women wore their best caps and aprons, and
here and there ribbon had been added to
PENDANTS, flourishing long spoon in his hand,
stood et tle door OF the dining-room as the pro-
cession entered and looked like some field mar
shall directing the movement of his troops. Not
much of an army, one might say, but they did
mighty execution. One by one they were
them heaps Of bones and bare drumsticks
sticking up in the air as monuments of their
proves.
THE CHRISTMAS TREE.
As they came up the steps, in Ones twos and
threes, from the dining room an attendant de
rected them to the front room, where the Christ
mas tree stood, In all its gaudy glory. Here Mr..
Stoutenburg, the intendant, and Mrs. StOuten-
greeting. The first one that came in was q
woman who as the phrase goes had evidently
seen "better days She was blind and para
lyzed, but seemed quite gay and cheerful. 'Oh,
what nice apron! thank you; oh, thank you
very much; what a pretty Christmas box!' she
said, deity running her fingers over the orna-
ments on the box of candy which was placed in
her hands. "What nice soap, and what splendid
apples, thank you very much" By this time
her apron was we'll fixed, and the poor creature
started away quite happy and very grateful.
10 the men pipes were given instead of aprons.
Some OF the Old colored women were given
pipes too. While most all expressed gratitude,
there We're some who took what was given them
In stolid, Indifferent way. their faces express
ing no surprise, gratitude or other emotion, and
their lips remaining mute. Those whose brOgue
betrayed their Irish birth were most profuSe in
their thanks, and always added hearty "God
The colored inmates seemed especially de-
lighted with the Christmas tree and with their
STAR reporter that as a rule the most deserving
were the most grateful for kindness shown
them: These who were able-bodied and who
might take care OF themselves felt independent.
THE CHILDREN.
Then the children were brought in. A little girl
about three years old whose mother is in the
asylum, was stricken with awe by the magnfi-
cence of the Christmas tree and made speech.
less with establishment and joy when she was
given IL doll as BIZ, as herself which she Rugged
up close to her. n bright little boy five six
years old, the son of an old frequenter OF the
institution, was made happy with a drum.
Three or four little colored children rolled their
eyes with delight upon receiving an assortment
OF toy guns and tin horses One little creature,
bright cOlorcd girl about three years DID, was
led in by an old cOlOred woman. The little one
was found in the street, two years ago, nearly
dead from exposure and starvation. She was
taken to the asylum and has remained there
as one OF the inmates. She is now quite robust
in appearance. but is totally blind. She is
bright. learns very readily, and it is proposed
to place her in the Maryland institute for the
blind. when she is old enough. This child had
conhded to SANTA Claus ner wish TO have {.
wagon and horse, with u little market basket to
put into the wagon. She was seated the
floor in front OF the tree. and Il tin wagon with
tin horse and tin driver, drawn over
the floor to her. and soon every detail had been
inspected with her little fingers. \ tiny
market basket and little doll were placed in
the wagon. She was then given {, big piece OF
candy which she Inunched with much satisfac-
ton as she hugged her new treasures in her
arms. Raty rattes were cut down from the
tree and dispatched TO women in different parts
OF the institution who have use for such things
Then aprons and oranges and candies were
made up in little parcels to be taken to the
invalids who were unab!etO attend the distri-
button, and the great event Of Christmas day
at the almShOuSe was over