The evening world., 1891-12-25
AT THE GRAND OPERA-HOUSE.
West-Side Children Laden With
Christmas Presents.

The tenement house district OF the west
side never witnessed merrier Christmas
than was afforded It's poor children by The
EVENING WORLDS Christmas Tree Fund this
morning.
The audience that witnessed " The Power
OF the Press i" at the Grand Opera-liouse last
night had not dispersed before 1t was treated
TO a practical illustration OF II newspapers
power Of doing good in a charitable way.
Even then Manager George NJ. Wood ana a
corps OF assistants were buslly engaged In
unloading hundreds OF gifts from big vans at
the Twenty-third street entrance, and in
short order beautiful evergreen tree had
arisen In the spacious lobby, and each mo-
mcnt saw IT budding, blooming, and finally
groaning with the fruits OF THE EVENING
WORLDS fund.
1t was 3 O'Clock this morning before the
tree appeared in Its full glory, and the tired
ladies and gentlemen who had dressed 1t
retired, only to be on hand again at O'Clock.
Before o'clock there was a scene OF wild
commotion at the Eighth avenue entrance OF
the big theatre that increased every mo-
ment until the gates were opened.
There were little children who came with
their bigger brothers ard sisters, little fel-
lows who came alone, and others so little
that their mothers had to bring them.
Clean little fellows and dirty little fellows
who had made an cGort TO get clean were
there. Some came comfortably clad. and
others with shoes that a tramp wouldn't
wear but al were happy and full OF eager
expectation.
When the big gates nnally swung open and
the tots began to pour In there was a chorus
OF /" obs :" and "ahs :" that gradually swelled
into one mighty shout, and Miss Marguerite
ST. John, the popular actress, and her corps
OF assistants at once had their hands full OF
business.
/ Miss 81. John was assisted by Mrs. Augustus
( Whiting, Mr. Joseph Mckever, Master John
Iie Mckevcr, Mrs. shannon, Mrs. Harden
brook, Misses Winnie shannon, Flossie Allen,
Mamie Smith, Katie sullivan, Julia Flood,
Nellie sullivan, Natalie Lambert, Joseph
Murphy, Mrs. T.. L. Fernandez, BiJou Fernan-
dez and Aunt Louisa Eldridge.
sam singleton, the veteran ticket-taker,
marshalcd his aides, Ben Lusby, Al Kelly,
| William J. Horn, Martin j. waters, Francis
Waters, A. {. Wilson, JACK Moulton, William
/ Hoover, Thomas stevens, Rob McAllister and
7. II. scheedel at the various entrances and
exits aud the children began to pour In.
! True, they were little eager and restless,
but why not' Right before them stood the
tree nllcd with everything desirable to child
he DDS heart, while long counters on either
side groaned with candies, apples, popcorn,
cakes and articles OF clothing.
There was plenty for all, and although be-
tween and II o'clock fully 5000 youngsters
had storned the citadel OF ST. Nicholas, not
| one went away unsatiSned. Every child re-
celycd two or three toys, package OF candy,
cake, popcorn, apples, and, where II was
needed a substantial, warm article OF CLOTH
Ing was added Ia the other gifts
All were loud In their childish praises OF
their benetactors, and pedestrians on the
streets VINO passed the merry little ones go
Continued on Fourth Page.