Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-12-29
THE ORPHANS CHRISTMAS.
A Joyous Occasion at the Protestant
Orphan AsYIum

Joyous Occasion at the Protestant
Orphan Asylum.
The annual Christmas dinner for the lit
tie ones of the Protestant Orphan Asylum
was given yesterday afternoon by the lady
managers and directors of that institution.
The large dining room was tastefully and
cheerill trimmed and decorated for the
occasion, and the tables bountifully spread
with an excellent and tempting dinner. to
which was added various fancy nick-nacks,
to please the little ones, for whose benefit
and pleasure it was given. In addition to
the inmates and managers of the asylum,
there were present by invitation Governor
Waterman, Mayor Gregory, Revs. w. G.
Merrill, C. P. Massey, representatives of the
RECORD UNION and Bee and few others.
After the invited guests had reached the
dining-room the homeless children who
are there gathered and so kindly and gen.
erously cared for marched into the dining
room from an adjoining hall, SINGING as
they marched in I'VE Are Happy" etc.
and which fact was dbundantIy testified to
by their bright faces and CHEEKY voices.
Having taken their seats in an orderly
way, and grace said by Rev. Mr.. Merrill,
supplemented by grace pronounced by
the entire group of children, in con-
cert, the little ones entered upon
their repast, and enjoyed it in a
manner that was pleasing to witness.
In one end of the room was an orchestra
employed By The ladies, which furnished
music at intervals during the dinner hour.
At the other end OF the room a table was
spread for the invited guests, at one end of
which was seated the Governor, and at the
other the Matron of the Asylum.
| After due attention had been given to the
bounties of the occasion, Mayor Gregory
was called upon to act as toast master, and
made very happy and appropriate talk to
the children, and in appreciation and
praise of the ladies who devote their time
and energies with such success in making
a home and bringing 10 useful lives the
one hundred and fifty waits under their
| care.
Governor Waterman was next called
upon and spoke with deep feeling and ap-
probation of the good work the ladies We're
then accomplishing, and of similar work
| in other orphans homes he had officially
visited in o'her parts of the State. He ex-
pressed an earnest desire to see these insti-
tutons successful and said he would do
all in his power to help accomplish that
purpose. Remarks, which were closely
listened to by the children, were also made
",
Mr.. Massey and the RECORD UNION repre-
sentative. The latter urged the estab-
lishment of q kindergarten for the fifty
younger inmates of the Asylum, both as
basis for educational training, useful habits
and lives, as we'll as method of interesting
and caring for these little ones.
The matron, Mrs. Peckham, spoke
warmly of the good the kindergarten would
do, and of the great help it would be to
those charged with constantly looking after
the children that Providence had placed
under their charge. Mrs. n. D. Rideout,
President of the Board of Managers, in
dorsed this view, and said the want of suf-
hcient funds was all that prevented the
work being taken up.
Remarks followed by different speakers
in the kindergarten interest, when Mrs.
Peckham replied in answer to inquiry, that
the school could be started and conducted
for $40 per month.
We'll" said the Governor "let us raise
the money and start it then You can
draw on me for 500 toward the necessary
| fund.''
This generous action was warmly ap-
plauded by all present, and the ladies, who
| are devoting their lives to the care
were deeply effected by the sudden
prospect of needed aid. The Gov
ernor to further the movement said:
Now lei us see this work so forward, and
to that end l will take upon myself to ap-
point of those here at the table, commit
tee consisting OF Mayor Gregory Rev. w.
G. Merrill, Rev. c. P. Massey, V. S. Nc
CATCHY and S. f. Darlington. to canvass
for or otherwise raise the necessary funds
to at once establish the kindergarten
school and maintain iti
A consultation over the matter followed
and it was determined to have The kinder
garten opened soon after New Years. and
make the necessary appeal for funds to
carry forward the greatly-needed work A
fine room, entirely furnished, is already
provided at the Asylum.
The children Christmas dinner was thus
closed in arranging for their better care and
| advantages, and the ladies expressed great
satisfaction that the subject had been taken
up with such consideration and results.