The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-12-26
AT THE Aims HOUSE.
A Place Where Christmas is Thoroughly |
EnJoyed-A Turkey Dinner Yesterday |
and a Christmas Tree Tonight.

1t might be thought that the Aims
house would be the last place where
Christmas would be a happy season. Yet
it is doubtful if there are many homes
in Portland where the day of peace and
good will brings more genuine pleasure
than among those whom misfortunes or
mistakes have brought under the care of
the city. just now the family at the
Aims house is very large one. Super
intendent J. c. Roberts told the PRESS
yesterday that in the hospital and house
together he was caring for hundred
and sixty men and women. The pressure
of the present hard times has increased
the number beyond the usual limit.
The dinner was the Christmas event
of yesterday. Mr.. Roberts had procured
whole flock of turkeys, and many
pounds of the things that usually &C.
company the we'll baked turkey, and
with sundry buildings, had set forth
the Aims house tables in a way seldom
seen except on extraordinary occasions.
The dinner was greatly enjoyed, it is
needless to say.
But this did not constitute the whole
observance. The Christmas tree comes
tonight; and during the day yesterday
the women at the institution, directed by
Mrs. r oberts, were engaged in trimming
| up the chapel with evergreen. A good
sized Christmas tree was set in one cor
ner, over the pulpit on the wall, was in
scribed the words, christmas, 1898, u
prettily done in letters of evergreen,
while around the walls were looped long
stringers of evergreen. hung with
wreaths of the same material.
The programme for this evening will
include readings, vocal and instrumental
music, a little dancing and the distribu-
ton of presents. These presents consist
of handkerchiefs for the men and aprons
for the women, all given by the over
seers. The inmates do not remember one
another. But when it comes to the en-
tertainment they are able to do their
| part. AS for dancing, most of them can
do that, and there are one or two whose
accomplishments would do credit to the
best minstrel band in the country. There
| is one woman who can play the piano
| most skilfully, man who is an expert
violinist, and everyone has heard of poor
Scottie Rich, the poor lame boy, who
walks on his knees, and whose har-
| monica playing has enlivened Aims
house gatherings for long time. But
| Scottie is not able to make merry this
Christmas. He is bright. am bilious
boy, with desire to be rid of the de-
| formity which is such hindrance to
| him. So he is having his legs cut off at
the knees, in order that he may be rid OF
the deformed parts, and there is a
prospect that he may be able to mount
himself upon wooden legs in such way
as to get around handily and make a
good fight of it at last in the great world.
He has already had one leg amputated,
and is waiting with patience and courage
until he shall get strong enough to have
the other taken off.
Many kind people volunteer their ser.
vices on holiday occasions, singers OF
readers, SO the entertainment is always
good. 1t is expected that this evening
DR.. Nickerson, city physician, will give
his services in a professional way to
make the singing more delightful.