The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-12-29
THE CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS DIN
NER,

NER.
The people of Austin can go to bed
with a good conscience as a soother of
sweet and refreshing sleep. They have
done their whole duty and the lady
troops fought nobly.
The success of the scheme to delight
the children, to feed the hungry,
clothe the naked and visit and minis
ter unto the sick inaugurated by The
STATESMAN and carried out with the
assistance of the ladies of the city has
been beyond expectation. A
full account will be
given of the amounts received, the
distribution and the number of poor
relieved of immediate and pressing
want by an ample supply of all the
necessaries of life.
The most interesting incident and
the elimination of the plan of a Christ
mas dinner and Christmas tree for the
children of the poor occurred on Mon
day at the Firemen's hall, on West
Zig nth street. The day was simply
glorious, while norther blew
a bracing wind, the sun warmed
the immense reception room,
the street in front of the hall, where
the little tots under parental wing
awaited the completion of the arrange
ments inside OF the hall.
Shortly after 8 O'Clock a. M, the
committee of ladies assembled at the
hall. The long tables were arranged,
and ham and turkey sandwiches
were cut and placed upon Chinese
napkins, flanked by every kind OF
cake, pies, jellies and fruits upon the
tables. In the mean time the Christ
mas tree was dressed with dolls, toys
of every kind and bags of candies.
When all was completed the doors
we're opened and the children wer
invited in. They came with rush,
wee bits of boys and girls, led in by
elder brothers and sisters, up to every
age, all bearing distinctive marks Of
poverty, some without coats, some
without shoes, but what were coats
and shoes to them, they were hungry
excited and eager for the fray. They
were arranged in some places at least
three deep or in three lines of battle
on either side of the tables and
they did justice to the ample meal
that had been pro gided for them. En-
joy it, what a sauce is youthful appe
tite when whetted by hope of unus
ual satisfaction! One little girl drank
half glass of milk at one draft and
as she lowered the glass for rest, she
said, ooh 50 dood." They were fed
by the kind ladies until each little
stomach was like drum and each lit
tie face beamed with happiness.
But the half was pos over, after they
had dined, Mr.. Joe Booth .arrayed al
Santa Claus appeared at the Christ
mas tree and with wit and humor dis
tributed to each and every one OF then
several presents.
A number of these children came
without shoes, but their little pink
feet were shod before they left. Ovel
twenty of the little folks were thus
made happy with shoes and stock
ings and then they carried home tt
their mothers bundles of goodies"
1t was a glorious day for Austir
and her poor. 1t demonstrated th'
fact that the reat heart of this city ii
open to every appeal to relieve wan
and the further fact that there are
great many poor here, even in thi
wealthy city.
1t was predicted by some OF TIM
croaks that there would not be dozei
children there. At least 800 were fed a
the table, and besides over 200 fami
lies have received substantial aid BY
the enterprise. The STATESMAN
Christmas fund had its inauguration
this Christmas but it is fixed annua
thing hereafter as long as the presen
management controls The STATES
MAN. We have seen what great goot
can be accomplished, what joy anC
comfort it carried to the young anG
the homes of the needy and it is
II glorious work which will not be al
lowed to die after its first trial.
A bald headed woman lie unusua