The record-union., 1893-12-30
TEE ORPHANS.
Their Annual Dinner and Christmas
Tree Yesterday.
The Board of Managers Dispense Hap
sas piness to Those Under
Their Care.

The annual Christmas dinner and
Christmas tree given by the Board of
Managers of the Protestant Orphan
Asylum to the orphans in that institution
took place yesterday.
AS one looked at the happy faces of the
little ones, the sad cause of their being
residents of the institution was lost sight
of and one only thought of the happy
home they had. A tour through the
building revealed the admirable system
by which Mrs. Cady, the MatrOn, and
the Assistant Matron, Mrs. War;, kept
the children clean and healthy. The
large, airy dormitories, twelve in num-
Der, well lighted and ventilated, with
their long rows of snowy beds, spoke
volumes tor the care and attention be-
slowed upon them, and the fact that for
several months there has not been a case
Of sickness among the children which
rendered it necessary to cali physician,
shows that the sanitation is thoroughly
looked after.
More children are at present inmates
than at any time before, there being
about 100 at present--eighty-two OF them
being boys.
The dining-room was beautifully decor
ated, and when the bell tapped at l
o'clock yesterday one hundred and fifty
six children, varying from two years old
TO ten, marched in single file into the big
dlniDg-roOm. First came row OF little
tots from the nursery, with shining faces
and happy eyes, sedately marching and
singing a Christmas carol, to their APP
pointed places. Faster and faster they
came, the size constantly increasing, until
the Oldest children brought up the rear.
Sometimes a group would lag behind
little and then hurry along to catch up,
that no time might be lost. a wave OF
the matron's hand in this direction or
that directed them TO the proper table.
Not a word was spoken. The nursery
tots filled up the seats at three tables, and
four larger ones were occupied by the
others. Still singing, they took their
places and finished their carol.
At the tap of a bell every little head
was bowed, and, in unison, they rever-
emily asked u blessing on their banquet.
Then came the ladies who compose the
Board of Managers, bearing dishes of
turkey and distributing it to the children.
Such good manners at the table as were
exhibited here are not always the rule
with children. and the quiet and patience
shown might have served as pattern for
many OF their elders. If anything was
wanted, up went q hand. and its owner
quietly WalISO iii LIS OF AGI NdLlS WCIS
supplied.
How many plates of turkey and other
delicacies were disposed OF would be hard
to say, and many a step did the ladies
take before the children's appetites were
satiated. Cakes, apples, oranges and
nuts disappeared as if by magic, but at
last the tray was over and the children
stood up once more and marched out of
the room, but with slower steps than they
had entered with.
The Christmas tree exercises, as pub
lished in yesterdays RECORD MON,
took place at o'clock. and despite their
arduous efforts OF few hours previous
the little ones were ready and acquitted
themselves well. The trSe was mass of
presents, and there being no room for
any more they were piled upon tables be-
side it. Toys, candies, articles use ul and
articles ornamental, generous hearts had
contributed lis freely as they had the
viands for the dinner. Every child left
the room happy in the consciousness that
there was someone in the world who
cared for his welfare, and the ladies who
manage the asylum, although they went to
their homes tired after their days hard
work, must have carried with them the
peace of mind which is the reward OF
those who do good to others for His
names sake.