Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-26
KRIS KRINGLE CALLS
On Thousands of Fatherless and Moth
erless Little Ones,
MAKING ALL OF THEM VERY HAPPY
Ninth Annual Tour of the Old Fellow
Under Gusky's Auspices.
MANY VALUABLE TOYS DISTRIBUTED

As he clambered to his throne in his state
coach every wrinkle on his iovial face
seemed strangely familiar. Where had that
venerable form been seen before? And
those motley garments. hung about with
jingling bells-were they not ancient
acquaintances
In very sooth it needed but the name OF
the old gentlemen, shouted in crescendo
tones by every urchin on Market street, to
confirm all suspicious. The newcomer was
none other than that prince of good fellows,
variously known as Father Christmas, Kris
Kringle and Santa Claus. He had come all
the way from his snow palace under the
northern lights to gladden. the hearts of
Pittsburs's little ones. =.
Sleighless and reindeerless, no doubt, but
drawn by six spanking steeds. the old nero
was about to begin his ninth annual voyage
around the orphanages and charitable
homes of the twin cities. For st. Nick has
been here, like the worthy in the
ballad, "many a time" Under the kindly
auspices of the great clothing firm of Gusky
s. Co. his Saintship has visited the head
waters of the Ohio every Christmas for the
last nine years. And on each and every oc-
casion his capacious pockets have been
bulged to the uttermost extent with gifts and
good things galore. ..
FORMATION OF THE CAvALCADE.
Yesterday the now famous tour COM
menced outside the Gusky store, on Market
street, and Santa Claus equipage, with its
prancing iron grays. was drawn up iu front,
and behind came ten carriages, bearing
members of the firm, lady friends and news
paper men. Still further down the street
were % wagons bedecked with flags and
weighted down with great loads OF Christ
mas presents.
As Santa Claus surveyed his riches, a
merry smile overspread his rubicund fea-
lures, and he brushed out his long white
beard complacently Then he took his seat,
and amid the cheers of the onlookers the
happy procession moved onward.
The Ridge Avenue Orphan Asylum, AL
legheny, was the first institution to be visit
ed. Santa Claus knew that he had prom
ised to be at Ridge avenue by $50 A. M, so
he hurried up his driver, and led the trip at
| a swinging pace Wherever the cavalcade
| passed, sidewalks were crowded and win
dows filled with admiring faces. Santa
Claus must have been quite tickled over the
| number of kisses thrown him from any
number of pretty lips And with the great
old-fashioned heart which we all know he
possesses he could not have been aught but
pleased with the greeting he received from
the little ones.
In consequence of the crowds good deal
of time was consumed in getting to the
Ridge Avenue Orphanage. However, the
had fha
benevolent work OF Messrs. Gusky and their
guest began. .-...
PLEASURE OF THE LITTLE ONES.
The entire party alighted and entered the
orphanage, where scores of neatly dressed
children were assembled, with faces radiant
from suppressed delight. Their joy did not
abate when Santa Claus-the long-expected
Santa Claus-tramped into the hall, with
bells a-iingle, followed by whole wagon
load of toys. Anyone who had the
slightest doubts about the pleasure of the
little ones would have found them altogether
dispelled at sight of their happy faces. and
in the midst of their cries OF anticipation
Santa Claus made himself thoroughly at
home by shaking hands with everyone
present, and verify this was no slight
achievement, as the orphans alone amounted
to over 100.
Then the distribution of the gifts opened
Not a single one of the little folks had been
forgotten. Each had a present with the
owner s name, and each in turn was sum-
moned to receive his or her share. The
children then sang some very well-attuned
choruses, after which light rejection was
served to the jolly visitor and his party.
1t presently became apparent that there
were two Richmonds in the field Another
Santa Claus appeared, none knew whence,
and took his seat in another stage coach,
drawn by six bay horses. This was some
what puzzling, as the onlookers had been
taught that there was only one real genuine
St. Nick. However, the two Santas did not
quarrel, and the party divided, half going to
Pittsburg, with one Kris Kringle, the other
following the second on his rounds through
Allegheny. Messrs. William DeWolf and
j. A. Knight directed the Allegheny tour,
and VIM. K. Solomons superIntended opera
tions in Pittsburg.
ONE ROUND OF ovATIoNs.
It would be tedious to describe in detail
the events at each stopping place. Suffice it
that at every home and orphanage the chill
dren received Santa Claus with the utmost
Joy, and his gifts everywhere cheered the
homeless and gave new life to the sick. The
following is list OF the orphanages aud
cl2rlt2Dle l0StlLuLlOuS fislLeu III Allegheny.
Ridgewood Avenue Orphan Asylum $50 A. M.
Colored Orphans Home, Greenwood avenue
1890 A.
Woman's Christian Home, Locust street,
ll:30 A. NJ.
United Presbyterian Orphans Home, Mon
terey street, 1880 P. NJ.
Allegheny Day Nursery, North avenue and
Federal street. l:30 p. NJ.
Allegheny Day Nursery, 81 North Diamond
street, . P. M.
Allegheny General Hospital, Stockton ave-
Protestant Boys Home, Anderson street, 8
Home of the Friendless, Washington street,
3:SV P. NJ.
Little Sisters of the Poor. Washington street.
4:30 P. M
Home of the Good Shepherd, Troy Hill, $50
Pm.
st. Joseph's Orphan Asylum. Troy Hill, $50
Pm.
The Pittsburg division visited the follow
ing:
St. Michaers Orphan Asylum, southside,
1l:30 A. M.
Homeopathic Hospital. Second avenue, 1880
PM
Children's Temporary Home, Washington
| street, 1:50 p. NJ.
St Paups Orphan Asylum, Tannehill street.
| 2P.M.
West Penn Hospital, 4P.M
Episcopal Church Home, Fortieth street, 8
Pm.
| Little Sisters of the Poor Bloomfield, 6 p. NJ.
German Protestant Orphans Asylum, West
| Liberty Borough, presents taken TO Sixth
| avenue and Smithfeld street.
Children's Aid Society. presents taken to
IN,r,1f linz -r,gft,