Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-12-27

that would have doae honor 10 any table.
Up in the hall. between the inmates quarter,
on the second floor, two large Christina,
with a table, we're we'll loaded with gifts.
Every thing about the place proclaimed a fes.
tai occasion. Evergreen and flowers were
prettily arranged in various places, e pecially
where the words "weleome" and Merry
CHRISTMAS" were very prettily arrangei on
the walls. Twas evident that the ci irens of
Augusta had not forgotten the prscepts OF
charity. The followii is a list Of donors as
handed Us by the donors:
Hon. J. G. Blaine, Hon. L. c. Burlegh,
Hon. George E. Maeomber, Rev. G. W.
Doherty, Rev. +. G. Plante, Mrs. J. L.
Judd, Mrs. Carpenter, City Marshal Morse,
Miss II. Fuller, Miss May Gould, Mrs. S. Z
whitehoase, W, P. Walsh, Emile Barber,
Ami Casavant, T. Fuller & Son, b. T.. Fol-
som, J. +. Ward, Anson Goddard. J. J.
Maher, Ganneu & Morse. Geo. B. Hoyt,
Bussell & Weston, Miss IL. Hinkley, Geo
ID. Haskell.
The contributions consisted partly of
Ii was gala occasion for all and especially
for the little ones of whom there are quite
number in the house. The matron informed
the reporter that there were thirty inmates.
and of this number twenty-five were well
enough to sit down to the Christmas dinner
The others had it carried to their rooms for
them And what a dinner Truly old
Santa Claus seemed deter mined TO recon-
pense these poor people somewhat by his
bounty for the things denied them in the
struggle of life.
The tables fairly groaued with the good
things heaped upon them. There was tur-
key, 90 'se, apple and mince pies, several
kinds of vegetables, an abundance of nuts,
candy and pop corn, oranges, apples, tea,
coffee, milk, aud numerous other good
things.
IL have been here of and on for twenty
two years" said Manager waldron to the
scribe, land have never seen such pleasant
Christmas as this or one where the board of
overseers were present in body to partici-
pate in the festivities. The almshouse was
never in so good condition as it is at pres
ent"
As the reporter looked at those congregat-
ed about the table, he could not see one
whom he thought unworthy of charity, nor
one whom be should think qualified to sue
cessfully fight the battles of life. Many
were old and infirm, others broken down in
health and physically unable to work, while
none of the children present looked old
enough to earn their own livelihoods. Sure
ly here was no needless waste of the peoples
money. iudee1, the scribe could not help
feeling satisfaction in the thought that
here at least was worthy charity supported
by the whole people.
When the dinner was overland everyone
who enjoyed it seemed blessed with a good
appetite-the inmates adjourned to the floor
above and gathered about the Christmas
trees to await the distribution of the pres
ents. Mr. J J. Maher acted as spokesman
and performed the task of distribution in an
admirably successful manner, his merry
""a'''iei Vi giving OUT 'he s''s a'uins hia'
many W 'ie pressure Vi 'ne occa''on' ne
was aeu III '''' "',N of "e's'' "a'u
and Iloyt. and also by Mrs. Waldron. Ev-
'''ooH was 'e"iel'oe'eu iNefe were
''''' '"" 'a'AA '''e'' 'oP'' "o'"' anu p'e
o 'oi "s !o'"s PeoP'.' anu All
SIMS Vi ''eu "i'o'e'' '"''"' ''o'''"s' io'
''e '''V' peop''' N's''o'e so' oie Vi '"o'e
We" n'''' 'A"''' oAs' anu ""e" '"e "ee'
WV "''e All "e'e "Appy' "ay Vi 'he
gus up'" '"e 'iee' Neie i'o'n 'ne '" u l.
u Inns eAcelie"' orsi"'Aauo" uss uohe Il
"orIu OF Roou Ior the cliy poor. lncN hau