The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1889-12-26
T or The Reporter.
Chlldren's Christmas Dinner.

For the Reporter.
Chlldren's Christmas Dinner.
Skowhegan, Dec. %, 80.
Mr. EDITOR:
Being fully persuaded of
your interest in our goodly town, and
knowing that the "REPoRTER" columns
are ever open to any matter bearing upon
It's wel-being, l wish to speak of an I'M
dertakiDg that found glad and heartfelt
response in all our hearts as citizens and
proud citizens of Skowhegan. In order
to speak clearly of this benevolent enter
prise, | must briefly tell of the organza-
ton which has so successfully accom-
plished the work. A certain CLUB in our
uttlage OF ClnJs has perhaps been less
widely known than the others, is called
the c. c. C. c. Only two of the letters
have any meaning to the uninitiated, for
ever since their organization years ago
they have been called the Cooking
Club" numbering some of the well
known young ladies' of Skowhegan. Oc-
caslonally the G. G. c. {. members have
spread table with tempting dishes of
their own manufacture, and once gave a
very successful supper at their hall
Friends were proud of their skill in this
most difficult art. But the Club have
held their foftnightly meetings, save in
the summer vacation, regularly, and with
rare exceptions with closed doors. Even
to members the password was most rig
orously required, although the nature Of
this password to an outsider seems quite
unlike the ordinary one in use In other
societies. The meager knowledge pos
sess of the doings of this Club was,
confess, obtained through curiosity, and
although endeavoring to keep that Curl
osity within the bounds of polteness
still must admit that it led me to walk
a little more slowly than my wont on one
Tuesday afternoon. Two young ladies'
were approaching the pleasant hall, and
although they returned my greeting cor
daily they could not shake hands for
they were carrying each dish daintily
covered with its embroidered napkin.
Now, but moment before, no amG unit
of urging had suniced with the
usually obliging janitor even though the
doors had opened, so | watched the
young ladies who applied for admittance,
when, 10! they presented to their
chief who now appeared at an inner door.
their dishes, and found out that was
sufficient password, for the door swing
ing lightly, still efiectually keeping out
all intrnders. Happening to pass the
same door that evening | listened to the
merry voices that were soon followed by
the members themselves as they gaily
separated. But of late their gatherings
have been marked by unusual interest
we surmise, and over their own delicately
prepared and daintily served suppcrs
there have been many animated discus
sions as to their Christmas celebration
and here was employment for head
heart and hands.
A Christmas dinner where turkey,
plum pudding, pies and sweetmeats have
their appointed place, the walters, the
fair members of the C. c. C. c., and Mr.
Editor, what think you of this scheme as
to the amount of work and responsibility
undertaken, when | assure you that this
Club threw wide their doors for the
guests are the poor and needy children of
our village; and some of the seventy-five
children had to be clothed almost entirely,
while others needed articles of warm
clothing.
The systematic canvass of our village,
soliciting funds, making purchases and
doing everything required has been skill
fully accomplished by the members them
selves, though they have found a few
outside their society to assist, which they
fully appreciate. And the citizens have
frequently, when contributing money,
clothing and provisions, felt it slight
matter, though pleasure in comparison
with the work of the Club. Win not
these children, many of them dependent
upon our charity only through sickness
or misfortunes, will they not have new
experience of the meaning of Christmas
Shall we not now, In ignorance of the
real name of this truly benevolent society
and in our knowledge of what they have
done, call them the Cheerful Christmas
Cooking Club" On the fair heads of
these followers Of st. Elizabeth may
there not rest more than a patron saints
blessing. Even the benediction of One
"who spake as never man spake'. The
Holy One who gave us this Christmas
and who has said "Inasmuch as we did 1t
unto one of the least of these, my breth-
rem, ye have done it unto me"
AN OuSFRNER