Morning journal and courier., 1885-12-25
THE HAPPY COUNTY HOME.

Distributing Christmas Gifts Among
 the Ch1ldren-They Shout and Dance
 With Del1ght-The Supply of Pres ents Abundant.
 Yesterday afternoon about quarter before 9 o'clock the town barge with Superinte end ent Sanford of the almshouse in charge drove up in front of the County court building, and the work of loading the barge with the gifts designed for the children of the Tyler City Home was at once commenced By the aid of willing hands the bundles and boxes, sleds and carts were soon transferred from the county commissioner rooms to the large barge. Just before starting a large and handsome willow rocker on which was a label indicating that this was gift for the matron of the Home was deposited among the other articles. This was a present from the county commis sioners, who very thought fully concluded that she who cared so we'll for the children at the Home should not be for gotten in the distribution of Christmas gifts. After the presents had all been securely slowed away, Superintendent Sanford, Town Agent Reynolds, Deputy Sheriff Warren and q representative of the COURIER took seats in the barge and started for their destination The drive to the Home was made in forty
 
 warmly welcomed by Mrs. Dr. Bacon of the board of management, Miss Gleason matron of the Home, and the children of the Home, who clapped their hands with glee when they saw the barge drive up and who were anxious to assist in unloading the packages About the same time the barge reached the Home another carriage drove up in which were Mrs. George R. Cooley and daughter, Miss Mattie F. Lane, Mrs. H. P. Allen and Mrs. w. l. Gilbert. These ladies drove out from the city to assist in arranging and dis tributing the gifts and they faithfully per formed their work. The packages were piled up on the long dining room table and the work of opening and distributing at once commenced. A large Christmas tree reach ing to the ceiling had been placed in the cen ter of the parlor and on this were suspended small toys without number, lace stockings filled with candy, corn balls and other con fections. While this was going on other with candy, nuts and cake for the little waifs and they were soon all supplied. About the rooms they went in joyful glee, with candy in one hand. while with the other they played with the toys and seemed to be almost crazed with delight Most of these twenty nine, once neglected, and in some cases deserted children, had never seen the like before Christmas to them had only been known in name if at all. It was no wonder, then, that they laughed, and sang, and ran, and danced with joy, as they had right to do for once at least "All come into the parlor now," said the kind hearted matron to the children, and they were soon arranged about the wall and with one of the older boys acting as "leader" they sang pretty song which af- forded their visitors much pleasure. Then they were released from their temporary Imprisonment" and again busted them selves with critical examinations of the toys. When the packages were opened it was found that the gifts selected by the donors were very appropriate and in great variety, very few articles being duplicated. A large number of the presents were new, while those that had been used were but lit tie worn. After an hour most pleasantly passed the visitors returned to the city feel ing that their visit had been a most enjoya- ole one, and that while they had made glad the hearts of these poor children, their own hearts had been softened and warmed anew with genuine sympathy for the poor