The morning call., 1892-12-18
HEADQUARTERS OF
IHE CALLS CHRISTMAS Box BUI

OF this city are not tired of giving.
The most noteworthy contribution re-
ceived yesterday was from tile Retail Gro
GERS Protective Union. A committee COM
posed Of j. L. Hurley, president of the
union; John G. Stammer, secretary, and G.
Ciaussen. treasurer. called at headquarters
in the morning and stated that at meeting
OF the union held last Wednesday evening
the subject of THE CALLS movement on
behalf OF the worthy poor of this city was
discussed. and it met with great favor. On
motion !; was decided to offer the bureau
500 in cash or its equivalent in groceries at
the option OF the manager. This gener-
Gus contribution will be taken In the
shape Of groceries. To the union
the manager. on behalf OF the poor people
he has already seen, and those he will visit
during the coming week. returns heartfelt
thanks
Another notable contribution came from
the pupils Of Loves dancing academy. 1t
was not large one, but il nevertheless is
ceptable in view OF the manner in which
1t was taken up and fhe fact that it will buy
several sacks of -four.
Ihe pupils at various times during the
year have given what is known as leap year
parties. One OF these was held on last
Friday night One of the rules of these
parties is that every gentleman who crosses
the dancing floor without an e. cort shall
pay fine Of 10 cents. In the early part of
the evening Professor Rufus K Love an
nounced that the rule of fining gentlemen
Tor crossing the floor uneseorted would be
strictly enforced
AT FIRST the gentlemen did not seem
anxious to drop q dime In the box, but
when the professor announced that the
amount obtained from such fines would be
given to The CALL S Chrstmas-box Blu reau,
the gentlemen found all sorts of possible
excuses for crossing the floor without hay
Ing lady TO escort them. A win
from young lady on the opposite side of
the room. a slight cough from ore Of the
fair ones or the falling of handkerc hief
attracted the attention of the young gall
lants, who were ready to run a~ross the
floor to ascertain which one was winked at.
or what was the occasion of the cough. or
were ready TO pick up the dropped handker-
chief The ladies who had charge Of this
part Of the entertainment were Miss
Wright, floor manager. and Miss Z. Moss,
Miss lngentorm, Miss Mavman and Miss
l.ange. floor committee. They all enforced
the rules most rigidly and conducted the
affair in most satisfactory manner. The
most active in the charitable work was Miss
Moss, who watched every opportunity to
catch dime. ana she did not lose one
The young ladies' are entitled ~ special
thanks for the interest they took In the
matter.
The retail groeers have done well in be-
hall OF the good cause, but that was the act
of the union, and il should not deter the in
divldual members from sending contribp-
lions. As before suggested. each grocer OF
the city ought to cast an eye over his stock
and select some OF that of " hich he has the
most en- hand and send IL down to the fund.
What Is needed at this time is lot of goods
sold by groeers in order TO supply the many
demands. One woman when asked yester-
day il she preferred wood OF coal or pro-
visions said, "Wood and coal TO keep us
warm Is something that we can get along
Without. SO give Us some provisions. [
would rather go to bed cold than hungry"
That is simple statement but il ex-
presses the situation most foreibly. VIII
those who have IL TO give or who can afford
TO give take hint?
Quite number Of grocers have already
acted upon the appeal of the manager of the
bureau for groceries, ana there is no doubt
that before the end Of the coming week
many moro names will be added to the list
The sooner such contributions are sent in
the sooner tie manager viii be able TO make
up his distribution OF goods, for then he will
know what ee can a.lot 10 each family.
The wholesale butchers have decided to
assist the bureau. Yesterday one of the
principal Wholesale dealers in fresh meat
Safu tHat ne WOuiu, IKE MT. SchWettZpr.
make contribution, and several others an
nounced a willingness to do likewise To-
morrow all the wholesalers will discuss the
matter and determine what they will do in
the matter OF contributions. What a
glorious thing IL will be to donate 10 each
poor family that which will be treat-a
good roast Of beef or one of mutton or pork
for Christmas d nner. There is many FAM
lily that has not for months tasted anything
In the shape of meat but that which may be
hrsfA 0r.Ay .nf Il
good roast will indeed be rare treat For
them.
The New England bakery set a good ex-
ample by contributing 100 loayes of bread
TO be delivered at headquarters on Christ
mas eve.
One hundred loaves of bread will not 60
far toward satisfying the 1000 men, women
and children " Ia are to be assisted through
the bureau. Are there not some other
bakeries that will contribute as literally as
has done the New England bakery? Un-
less such contributions are added to the
New Eugland's contribution many families
will be without fresh bread at the Christ
mas dinner. Ii is not that the bakers of
this city will not make a contribution. but
1t is that they have TO be reminded. How
many ioaves shall THE CALL record for the
poor?
Yesterday the m anager Of the bureau con-
tinued his tour of Investigation, and lie was
accompanied by Mrs. +. p. Mathcsnn, a
u
liable turn of mind. F0Ttv-one families
were visited. In few places there was
inexcusable squalor; several were found to
be undeserving OF the good that is intended.
Several cases Of more than ordinary inter-
est were discovered, and these will receive
special attention.
In one family the great demand was for
clothes for the children. next to something
to eat. us that The best you have to keep
these four children warmT' was asked Of
the mother.
That's the best 1 have for the boys"
said she, and then she added. "but the girl
has an extra pinafore which am washing
for her for Sunday"
In another place in the rear OF rather
tall buildings WAS O mother with her family
In TWO small rooms which are never warmed
by the sun. Que Of her children, bright
laced little girl, is lame from some trouble
OIL Inc hips following fall down a flight OF
stairs when she was still quite young This
mother like many others is without pro-
visions, and she asked for some flour and
lea ana sugar. and some warm clothing for
the little girl. Her other children, she SAID,
were not so delicate, and she did not like To
ask 1Or anything for them unless there was
enough to go round. When asked if she
had any coal, she pointed to bucket of
sawdust and spiinters which some one had
Drought In to her, and sad, III IL WAS not
for this would have TO do without a fire."
One woman of II was found in a room In
lodging-h0use. She is III AID has no
means OF support. The question was asked,
"How do you manage TO live? ?" and her re-
ply was. by the kindness of a few good
people, who give me enough 10 keep me
alive"
In one house which was visited a little
family Of SIX crowded around the mother,
VINO was telling the visitors of her distress
The oldest Of the six is but nine years old,
ana they have been orphans since last No
vember only. One Of the little boys, who
understood the purpose of the visit edged
up TO his mother and asked in half whis-
per, Mamma. is that Santa Claus and his
wile?'
One woman was found whose only means