St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-23
GOOD FOR CHILDREN.
Free Kindergartens Which
Merit Substantial EncOur-
agement.
Infant Hands Weaving Christ
maS-Tree Decorations
With Rapidity.
Early Lessons in Self-Denial
Inculeated Into the Youth
full Mind.
Santa Claus FavOrs the Chill
dpen With Useful and Or
namental Gifts.

There is one department of non-sec-
tartan mission work in the city that
merits special encouragement, and that
is the establishment of free kinder
gartens for the poor little urchinS whe
are too young to attend the public
schools. A GLOBE reporter visited
kindergarten in West side mission
chapel last week, and found between
thirty and forty children of from two to
six years of age, playing and working
under the direction of their teacher,
Miss Lizzie Winterbotham.
They were seated around tables,
manufacturing all sorts of pretty things
out of colOred paper; and baskets, boxes
and match-receiverS were being woven
by the little fingers. A little girl said
that the products of their infantine
hands were to be used for Christmas
tree decorations. 1t was wonderful to
see the Skillful manner in which the
children worked; and when tired of the
papers they went through their sol
diers' drill" and it was an interesting
slight to watch them marching through
the different figures, first in single file
and then by twOS or tours. They took
particular pride in their military bear
ing. and kept remarkably good time. A
little exercise
FOLLOWED THE MARCHING,
being somewhat akin to a square dance
in its nature. Each boy chose his part
ner and conducted her to her place; and
after graceful bow, the couples joined
hands, formed circle and went through
the lntricacieS of grand right and left.
Every Wednesday the children whose
means allow of it bring luncheon, which
t.n %ot. Of
tempting manner. Each child is the
happy possessor of large slate, and on
lunch day" the states are used for
plates. If any of the little ones have
not brought lunch baskets those who
have are taught to share their goodies,
and all are thus provided for. The OBJ
ject of lunching is to teach the children
to be unselfish and polite. They are
taught the proper way to handle their
knives and forks, the use of napkins
and all the nicer points of table Ell
quette.
When the school was dismissed, the
children were well wrapped in hoods,
coats and mittens, and marched out in
good order. The boys carried their
caps in their hands, and as they passed
out gave their teacher
A GRACEFUL BOW,
and babe her good morning. Friday
evening, the little ones gathered with
their parents in the chapel, and had a
Jolly Christmas entertainment. A tree,
lighted up with tapers, and loaded with
candies and popcorn, brought eXclama-
tons of delight from the small behold
ers. Each child received bag of pop
corn and one of candy, and every
little girl q neatly dressed doll and
toy. For the boys there were watches,
toy guns and swords. An immense box
was opened, which contained warm
dresses, undertaking, hoods and caps
for all, each of the girls having hoods
and each 10y rejoicing in the possession
of new cap. A more happy lot of
little people it would be impossible
to find, and the smiling little faces
showed how much they appreciated the
kindness of Santa Claus. The toys and
clothing were all presented by friends
of Miss Winterb0tham in Eau Claire,
and the candy was provided by the
ladies composing the board of directors.
There are three kindergarten mission
schools in the city, but the West Side
school is the
LARGEST AND BEST EQUIPPED.
The mission is under the direction of
a board of twelve, of which Rev. E. G.
Mitchell, pastor of the SwedenbOrgian
church, is president. The other MEM
berS of the board are Miss Ludden, Mrs.
J. B. Estabrook, Mrs. Carl Ludwig, Mrs.
William Constans, Mrs. Allen. Mrs. Dr.
Schiffman, Miss Effie Houlton, Mrs.
Van Goetzen, Miss Anderson.
The cost of maintaining the West
Side school Is about 500 per year. The
teacher receives a salary of $40 per
month. and the outlay for fuel and Jani-
tors work is about $40 for the same
period, the tables, chairs and kinder
garten materials being supplied by the
board. Children of all natiOnalitieS are
in the school, and some of them do not
speak a word of English, though they
seem to understand why they are placed
in the kindergarten.