Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-26
HEARTS MADE HAPPY.
GUsKY's SANTA CLAUS PERAMBU-
LATEs THROUGH THE TWO CITIES.

A Daylight Tonr Of the Merry Monarch of
Gift -SIvinE-1ustItutiOn Visited and
Loads LIghtened, with the same Effect
Upon JuveniIe Hearts-An Annual Cuss
tom Carried Out Lavishly.
christmas comes but, once year, and
when ii comes it brings good cheer" This
is a true adage. No day in the year is so
potent or SO full of pure and immaculate
cheer as Christmas. 1t is q time when the
hearts of the young bound with all the buoy
ancy of the antler, and the old catch
the song of by-gone days and live
again in the atmosphere of youth.
How happy everybody felt yesterday.
Feast, festivity and joy chased every gloomy
feeling away, and the world was transmitted
from cold, mathematical ways by the magic
touch of hospitality into better and
grander sphere. Where penury reigned,
some unknown but generous spirit stealthlly
made its way into its haunts, and set it at
defiance by leaving some welcome gift
CHILDREN ON THE oUI yIvE.
For months the children have been antici-
pating the advent of Yuletide. 1t has pro-
vided them with an inexaustible store OF
conversation. They have longed for it, be-
cause they know that papa and mamma
tributing to their earthly store little token.
But how about the children who have no
papa and mamma" Is anybody going to
remember them? Look in at the orphan
asylum? Here you will see the fatherless
and the motherless. Who will remember
them at Christmas time? Will anybody?
Did ANYBODY? Yesl Gusky's, generous to
a fault, carried around to the various hos
pitals and asylums 1000 gifts which were
principally distributed among the little
folks. All, yes, Santa Claus remembered
them. Robed in all his mystic raiment. fol-
lowed by retinue of servants, who dis
pensed the good things which his bounteous
hand had provided, he visited all the benev-
olent institutions of the two cities.
TRANSFORMED IN APPEARANCE.
Yesterday morning at o'clock Market
street looked like fair ground. Twenty
three wagons. gaiIy decorated with bunting
and evergreens, an6 loaded with innumera-
BILE presents, lined the streets. Twenty
carriages preceded the wagons, occupied by
the donors of the presents, and in front of
all Santa Claus sat in royal chariot drawn
by six prancing steeds to the various homes
of charity.
The great clothing firm procession at
tracted considerable attention all along the
route. Children followed Santa Claus,
greeting him with hearty plaudits. At 10
o'clock the procession halted at the Ridge
Avenue Orphan Asylum. Santa Claus en-
tered this home amid volley of cheers. He
welcomed the little ones with the same gusto
that they greeted him. A wagon load of gifts
were taken in, and they were given away
among the inmates. No boy or girl was lett
without gilt Gusky's had each present
labeled with the name, and age OF the recip-
lent. The gifts were appropriately chosen,
according to the age of the person. The
presents given away were suitable between
the ages of 5 weeks and "a years.
ONCE MORE ON THE WAY.
After distributing the presents at Ridge
avenue, the procession was divided, one-halt
taking Allegheny and the other half taking
the Pittsburg division, which included the
Southside.
The Pittsburg division "got move ON
at IL O'Clock. They crossed the Allegheny
river by the Seventh street bridge. and then
made straight for St. MichaePs Home
on the hill, above South Eighteenth street.
Cheer after cheer rent the air when
Santa Claus was sighted by children. From
his chariot to the hall of the home Santa
had triumphal march. After the party
had all been seated 80 childish voices sang
a grateful ode to the children's friend.
THANK you, Santa Claus, said a little
voice on receiving a present; MAY God
bless and prosper you" This frank out
break of gratitude from the childish heart
visibly affected the impersonstor of the
ancient sage.
LUNCHEON AT ST. A1IcHAEL's.
Luncheon was served to the party by the |
Board of Managers of st. Michael's Home.
1t was no mean spread, either. Everything |
was provided which would add pleasure to |
the occasion. A speech expressive of the |
gratitude of the Institution to Mrs.
Gusky was delivered by Mr.. Andrew
Stock.
The Homeopathic Hospital was the next |
visited, where 20 gifts were given to the little
ones. The next stop was made at the Chill |
dren's Temporary Home, where 20 childish |
hearts were gladdened by the same humber
of gifts. What clapping of hands there was |
when the presents were handed around, |
Looking into the face of little one at this |
home it was a sight. The boys whole coun-
tenance was sufused by radiant smile, his |
eye sparkled with glitter more dazzling |
than a diamond. One look of gratitude |
from those eyes repaid Gusky's for their
trouble and big outlay, because it was the
expression of absolute thankfulness.
OTHER PLACES VISITED.
Visits were then paid to ST. Paul's Or
phan Asylum. Three hundred and fifty
gifts were donated to this institution: 20 |
were given to the West Penn Hospital, 81 |
to the Episcopal Home and 1873 to the Lit
tie Sisters of the Poor. At this latter place
the presents were of serviceable character.
The Allegheny contingent went through
a similar procedure TO the Pittsburg divi-
sion. The following benevolent institutions
were visited and gifts given: Colored Orphans
Home; SO; Women's Christian Home, 26;
Presbyterian Orphan Home, 42; Allegheny
Nursery, %; Allegheny General Hospital,
8; Protestant Boys Home, 20; Home for
the Friendless, 40, and Little Sisters of
the Poor, 73. and the German Protestant
Orphan Asylum, q.
HOSPITALITY RECEIVED.
The most notable episode in the ALLIE
gheny distribution of gifts was at the Home
of the Good Shepherd, Troy Hill. After
the distribution of gifts the Sisters served a
royal feast to the donors.
At the Little. Sisters of the Poor enc old
woman, named Mrs. Katie Hawkins. who
had received a gift from Gusky's for the
past seven years, and was anticipating the
day again, did not answer to her hame when
Mr.. Solomon asked for her. She was
beyond earthly sound, having passed to her
long home the day previous. This circum-
stance was the only one to cast a shadow on
the days proceedings.
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