Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-01-02
CHRISTMAS ECHOES.


TWO occasions of special interest. not
only u those most intimately and pleas
antlI concerned. but to all present, were
the tWo Christmas tree celebrations held
las: saturday afternoon. the one in the
room> Of IT," Howard Relief society, for
the children of The industrial school. and
the other in \. Nj. G. \. hall for the
Home. The room, of the Howard Relief
society were packed to the door, with hap
py iittlc one, and the officers, teachers and
friends ot the society. In the front room
stood handsome Christmas tree which
reached to the ceiling. and near il n
tabIe covered with toys and gifts. In
other parts of the rooms were great hraD~
~ brown paper bags, filed with proVi-
sio,>. Inc exercises We're very simple
ana appropriate. an were principally CON
lined to distributing the good things
which had been provided among the sey
cNtS-iNe boys and one hundred and fifty
B!r!N VINO were present. The bows march,
ctl ont 10 the sound o! music, and rpcciV-
cd each large bag OF provisions a pair Of
mtlens ana Il bag of candy. The GIRLS
We're more iaNorct, each receiving Il bag
81 provisions. bag of candy. IA pair of
stockings ana Il glit from the Christmas
Tree. ne gallahtrN OF the lads was simp-
~ heroic Is they marched OF with their
Shnre Of the spells, happy rs kings. and
filling the air with their eNultant shouts.
All OF the children We're intensely delight
ed win their gifts. ana the SIGHT of their
gratitude ana happiness would certainly
have more than repaid all who have lent
OF Their substance To make Il Merry Christ
inu1 for these little ones. There was quite
an elaborate programme of exercises AT
the hrlStmaS tree III \. VI. &. \. hall for
the children of the Home. consisting of
PRAYER and remarks by Rev. II. b. Put.
nam, calO'-, rc"lla,lUnS, determinations by
the children, etc. The tree was decorated
with spauGice ana StIcamrlS. and the
gifts were numerous and pretty Each
one OF the iiitN children present received
one orange, IL bag of pop corn. Il cornu-
cupd, ana Il nc" gift \ warm supper
was served by the ladies in the hail. and
tine children seemed To enjoy il almost ms
well rs If their appetitcs had not been
taken away by Their handsome presents
and the general Joy of he OcCasiun They
were carried to and from the Home in
Lane = big S.ciGh~ "tOvernur Van Ness
and Rock Point and were Hs merry and
happy looking party of children as one
i/ailonS which have carried on this good
work in behalf OF the destitute children of
Our city deserve the gratitude of our pco-
pie, and the cordial cooperation of ali in
tcreNted IN benevolent enterprises
Christmas at the Home for Destitute Chill
dren.
The "liume" children. numbering O.,
had quiet but pleasant time on CHRIST
mas day. ON Christmas eve every child
hung up Il stocking for Santa Claus to fill.
and, sure enough, next morning none
We're found empty. During the day mum
erOus gifts were received, many from Bur
lington ladies. who manifest such an in
terest in the Home. Miss Fanny Ballard :
Sabbath school class of SWantOn sent Il
large and handsome doll, which the
matron will keep for the entertain
mcnt of the sick children in the hos
pital department. box of books
and games from the Congregat ional so
ciety of East Berkshire, forwarded by Miss
Anderson was gladly welcomed. A dOna-
tiOn of eighteen copies of the Bible, made
by the Vermont Bible Society, could not
have come at Il more appropriate time.
While the children were at dinner. Il box of
oranges sent by Mr.. A. +. Styles of Jack
sOnVille, Florida, came, and the little
folks had II welcome addition to their dies.
sert. Before dinner was over Prof Deer
ing and his wife and son were announced,
they brought fruit and toys purchased
with pennies saved up during the year by
Master Willie Chapman Deering The little
boy doubtless felt during the visit that oft
times it is more blessed to give than to re-
ceve. The children greatly enjoyed this
call from Prof. Deering and his family.