The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-29
PRESENTS FOR THE POOR.
Eight Hundred Children Made Happy,
Yesterday, at Tomlinson Hall.
Santa Claus Comes a Little Late, but Brings
an Abundance Of Gifts for Little Ones
Who We're Missed on Christmas.

Yesterday was Christmas with the poor chill
d-en of the city, and it was the happiest Christ.
mas many Of them had ever spent. The noon
hour had hardly arrived before a stream of
little ones began pouring into Tomlinson Hall.
They had trudged over slippery sidewalks from
all parts Of the city to witness the entertainment
prepared for them and share in the gifts in
store for them. All classes, of all ages, from all
conditions of life, were there, and their faces
were aglow with happiness. Many mothers ac-
companied their children. and those who have
been deprived of their parents came alone, and
after they reached the hall they were made tc
feel that they were not. after all, friendless.
There was no color line drawn in extending the
invitation, and among the eight hundred pres
ent at 2 o'clock, the hour of the entertainment,
there were not less than two hundred colored
children.
The idea of a Christmas Day for the poor chill.
dren of the city was taken from an account of
the Children's Christmas Club. of Portland,
Me. The societies interested in giving this enter
tainment ware the Charity Organization Society.
the Indianapolis Benevolent Society, the Home
Mission, the South-side Benevolent Society, and
the South side kindergarten. With the 800
children about two hundred mothers came.
These were given seats on the main floor. The
galleries were reserved for visitors, aud were
occupied by about six hund red persons.
The exercises were ope ned with a word of
welcome from Mayor Denny, who said: II feel
like congratulating all the little folks here that
they have 80 many warm friends in Indianapo-
lis. Thanks are due the managers of this enter
tainment. who have provided these gifts that are
here for you. The city could not, if it would,
take from its treasury money with which to buy
these presents. But it can do this much: It
can furnish you this beautiful hall, free of
charge, and this l take pleasure in doing. All
you children are very welcome in this hall. 1
am delighted to see you having such a delight
full Christmas, and wish you a happy New
Year."
Rev. Oscar McCulloch then took charge of
the entertainment; and said he thought it would
be highly appropriate to sing, Praise God, from
whom all blessings flow." Standing, all the chill
dren joined in the song. and appeared to sing it
from their hearts. Twenty-fourc children from the
Central hristianC Church Sunday school then gave
a"dolldrill." Twelve were dressed in red, aud had
dolls dressed in blue, and twelve wore blue. with
dolls of red. They went through the exercise
like experienced mothers.
"The Christmas Wait" was given by children
from Roberts Park Sunday school, under direc-
ton of Or. Heiskell, as Santa Claus, and Mr.. A.
h. Conduit. manager. The ~cantata is one of
those beautiful Christmas fancies of these
iobtCA 0oJos VnlSA A6Nc O0Cu substituted
for the old-time Christmas. It's thought
is to show that the happiness of Christmas time
is in giving, not receiving. A little group of rich
children do not believe in Santa Claus, while a
group of waits do. They find a branch of spruce,
plant it in the ground, dance and sing about it
until a Christmas fairy appears. with rich gifts
for all. During the excitement over the pres
ence of the fairy, Santa Claus comes up out of
the trunk of the huge Christmas tree. and in his
songs impressed upon the rich children that his
work is rightly among the poor, among whom
he proceeds to distribute his gifts. All the girls
and boys in the cantata did their parts well, and
its presentation appeared to interest the children
very much, but they were more interested
in the part of the programme that came
next-the distribution of the presents that had
been provided for them. They we're arranged
in groups of twenty or more, snd went forward
to the platform, where each was presented with
a box of nuts and candies. There was a huge
pile of these boxes on either side of the stage.
and as the children filed past them they were
supplied by the little girls srom Roberts Park
Church, who took part in The ~cantata. As fast as
they were supplied, they were passed out into the
corridor and thence out of doors and homeward,
feeling, as their looks expressed. that it is some
times a blessing to be poor.