The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-28
THE CHRISTMAS CLUB
The Poor Children Turn Gu. In Force.
A Bounteous Feast Spread Out Be-
fore Them by Kindly Fandc.
Over Sevon Hundred Hungry Little
Mouths Fed at tho Natatoriura.
Clothing, Boots, Shoes and Blankets
Distributed to the Needy.
A Froo Matinee at the Theater--The
castleton Company Havo Lots
of Fun, and So Do the
Children.

Those whom business, interest or GU.
..>riosity drew to Jefferson street yesterday,
from Third to Fourth streets, at any time
between the hours OF IL o'clock am. and
2o'clock pm, saw an unusual sight, o
sight as changeable in color and grouping
as kaleidoscope view, and as human,
withal, as the presence of happy faces
lighted up by merry hearts could make it.
All along the north side Of the street the
children poured in q steady stream that
cmptied itself into the doors OF the Nata-
torium. Once inside the children found
an army Of benevolent ladies and chill
dren, whose white caps and large white
aprons gave an indescribable air Of whole
someness to the proceedings. Hand
workers. band was in attendance, hid be-
hind the big Christmas tree, which spread
out its immense branches loaded with
good things, rs il it loo entered into the
spirit Of the occasion and desired TO con-
tribute its share TO the prevailing atmos.
phere OF plenty and good cheer. At ~
o'clock sharp the band struck up merry
march, and to its inspiring strains the chill
drrn, some 700 or 500 in number, marched
into the hall and were assigned places by
the noble-hearted ladies and children in
waiting, after which a children's choir
sang song OF welcome. There were nine
tables, each reaching from the door to the
stage, and each with standing capacity OF
from seventy-five TO 100 persf ms. Every
guest was provided with plate, knife and
fork and napkin, and
THE TABLES FAIRLY GRoANED
with their weight of good things. Turkey,
chicken, beef, chicken salad, bread, cake
and fruit in abundance formed the bill Of
fare, and II was worth days journey to
see the hungry mouths absorb the eat.
ables, after brief blessing had been in
vked ~ President J. 5. Menken. There
was no st,dt or measure set uDon anyone's
appetite, and all were allowed to eat until
the high water mark was reached on the
gauge. Then what was left was packed
into paper bags and distributed with lavish
hand to all who cared 10 carr, them away.
There was no sign OF distressing poverty
among the 200 children or more present,
that having been provided against the day
before by the Distributing Committee.
which had provided clothing aud shoes
60 all the needy who came within their
hNtA AlAti 'ttiiSNiA AiiiIhtlNs 0ubtN W Ailt
value OF Sl2j were given ont, and suits Of
clothing la double that amount, 10 say
nothing of 500 barrels of coal and provis-
ions for 600 families distributed through
the same agency. There was an accentu-
nlcd appearance OF newness about the
clothes Of the boys especially that asserted
itself with unmisiakablc emphasis
II must not bo assumed. however, that
they we're all children at this bountiul
feast. Here stood poor woman In n
garment OF shabby black, her frowsy hair
concealed under u hood that had once
been red, at her side two chubby.iaccd
little chaps eating nc rate that did ones
heart good 30 Look at; on her arm basket
loaded wAh provender, and the pockets II
her young ones bulging out with lcgiti.
mate spoils Opposite her was very aged
lady. 80 heavily loaded with good things
that she tottered along on her way TO the
door with extreme difficulty. Scattered
all along the length OF the tables was
ev,ry variety Of the small boy, in every
stage Of cleanliness, from the fair to mid.
ding 10 strict ordinary. Some Of them
were wee bits OF fellows whose heads barely
reached 10 the level Of the table,
AND oAzED rs orEN-NourHED WONDER
ut this unparalleled scene Of plenty, where
everybody was helped twice thrice and
w. times II he liked OF dantics which
had heretofore been dreamed Of but never
touched. II was pleasant TO SEQ how
checrfully and gracefully the children on
the committees attended 20 the wants OF
their less fortunate guests and how thcy
piled good things upon their plates and
loaded them with treasures.
While the floor was throngcd with eaters
aud tvnifara tho tsuiiurina uara Ntt.I -
suTocaiion by well dressed and fashion
able ladies who came 20 see the
fruition OF seed planted 10y their hands
every day for u month. They were roy
ally rewarded for their painsin the blessed
sight they witnessed on the floor below.
On the stage in the shadow of the
Christmas tree and on all sides OF IL stood
Mr.. J. :. Mcnken, president Of the club
Mrs w. :. Abernathy. lis efficient and
courteous secretary, and many OF her kind
hearted co-lab0rcrs There also stood
Miss Kate Castleton, who had been
elected an honorary member OF the club
the day before. Miss Casllclon seemed
delighted with the novelty OF the sur.
roundings and lost no point Of the great
human drama which was being enacted
before her. Nearhcr stood the ladies Of the
Reception Committee, charged with the
duty oi making her stay pleasant Tho
committee was composed OF Mm. II. NJ.
Mansiord, Mu. NJ. Burke Mrs. Matt Car
Ter, Mrs. j. S. Mcnkon, Mrs Robert Nc
lean and Mm. l. Rcd!od.
ADDrEs ~ BARyEy nuGuEs
At the conclusion Of the meal the we'll
known wit and orator, Mr.. Barney Hughes,
delivered brief speech in his accustomed
happy style, soncncd with n touch OF
earnest feeling that doubtless reflected the
emotion uppermost IN his soul. lie said:
Bless your dear souls, You have been
filled up 10 your cars, and We will now OIL
them with ialks and sweet music. Tho
greeting song which these ladies and sweet
children rendered came through voices
which came direct from Welcoming hearts.
Such day and such Iced, and such n
scene should open your souls 10 faith
that the world j. not closed against you.
The beautiful cakes which pleased your
eye and also your appetite were once only
dough, sticky, stubborn dough, but woro
kneaded by patience into their acceptable
shape aud substance. lou are as yet only
In the dough of life, my children aud II