National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-12-26
SEVEN HUNDRED HUNGRY.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF CHRISTMAS FARE
AT WILLARD'S HOTEL.
Col. stapics's Munincent Donation to
the Deserving Poor Appreciatcd-The
Scene at the Dole-One Caller Who
Was Thirsty Also.

The judges and majors were just getting
tho sand out Of their eyes in the usual
Christmas manner yesterday morning at
Wizards when q score or more colored
men walked through the lobby of the big
hotel, carrying in their arms great, fat
turkeys and plump chickens, dressed and
ready for the oven. When 600 fowls had
been placed on great long table in the
cafe opposite tine bar, Col. Staples, the pro-
prietor, came in, and, surveying the gen
erous array intended for the poor, looked
pleased, and dcserycdly SO, for through his
muniiicencc over Coo people were made
happy
The rush began at . o'clock aud lasted
until long after noon. a big policeman
was there to preserve order and keep the
people in line, and he succeeded very well.
The first caller was about four feet high,
and carried big market basket. From the
folds of her scant attire she took an order
from u police lieutenant, which recited
that the bearer was the daughter of worthy
persons, and that she belonged to family
of twelve. The little one glanced shyy
into the barrOom, where Il long line of cit
liens were pressing against the bar, taking
something out of white mugs that had nut.
meg in IT, Then she looked at the col
lection of barnyard favOrites before her,
and a pleasant smile lighted ups her
face, as the attendant picked up q
l2-pouud turkey and placed II in her
basket. An aged woman, with long lines Of
care and trouble on her face, came next, and
it was pleasure to see the wrinkles dsap-
pear, and joyful expression take their
place, as II plump pair of chickens was
handed 10 her.
There was one among the spup who
wasn't rear as much interested In turkeys
as he was in the action of the gentlemen at
the bar. lie was u seedy man, with all the
Characteristics peculiar to the tramp order
ot humanity, but his order disclosed the
fact that he had wife and five children
who needed a turkey. He kept glancing at
the bar until one Of the gentlemen, already
merry from the frequent potations from the
white mug, balanced himself satisfactorily,
and said to the seedy man: "Cone and try
one, pard.'
People thought the man had stroke of
apopleXy, so quickly did he get out of line
aud appear beside the merry gentleman.
"Thanks, will sir, and | needs it, too"
lie said.
"Wcll, what'll it he - asked the host.
The seedy man whispered something to
the harkeeper, and the latter took two bot
ties and used ice in preparing the little
mans favorite. The latter gulped it down
us though receiving new life, and retired
NEdll W llt Ilht VI ONHCI Itbllt WIN VI
ders smacking his lips.
1t was an interesting study to watch the
people IN that line. Almost every phase of
life was represented, and no two stories
would have read alike. There were col
Ored as well as white people in the crowd,
and to them, unlike some of the white ones,
the turkey was Il luxury, which but few
had known before. Most all brought bas-
Rets, but in some instances Of ablect pOv-
erty, the callers had paper bags or tin
bucket. Each turkey or chicken was
neatly wrapped up by the attendant, and
each poor caller went away happy.
The orders Were given by the lieutenants
Of police stations to persons whose poverty
had come under their notice and by the As
sociated Charities and other charity organ
izations. All of them were honored if the
indOrser was known by he n man of any
standing or an official of the District gov
eminent Most Of the beneilciares were
from the lower quarters of the city, but a
few came from houses the inmates of which
had been regarded by their neighbOrs as
having plenty. More than one tale of pov-
erty and prde-the two thugs that 70 hand
in hand IN many cases of sudden misfor-
tune-was heard, and not a few of the
children poorly, but in some cases neatly
dressed, had the stamp Of good. training.
When 2 o'clock approached all the turkeys
ard chickens had gone, and there were zoo
orders to attest the worthy generosity OF
mine host Stnnlns