The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-21
CHRISTMAS TREES.
Five Hundred Children
Made Happy.
Some Clever Little Tots Who Sang
and Recited - Garments
for All.

The season of Christmas trees has set in
with the usual activity this year. Every
where kind, phianthropic ladies are busy
ing themselves with providing amuse-
ment and. when it is needed, even solid
comfort for the children.
Yesterday afternoon two large trees
were despoiled of their presents, one be-
longing to the Francesca Relief Society
and the other to the Pioneer Kindergart
The Francesca Relief Society is COM
posed of u band of ladies, who meet every
Wednesday morning throughout the year
TO make garments for needy persons. Yes
terday the mothers Of about seventy poor
families and over 200 children had been in
vited to an entertainment and Christmas
tree i'll the basement of st. Ignatius
Church. All the guests were punctual to
the hour, which was o'clock. Many of
them indeed came long beforehand and
had time to view the decorations, which
excited many admiring comments, espe-
cally from the children.
The great point of interest to the Young
sters was huge Christmas Tree reach
ing to the ceiling, which glittered all over
with toys and ornaments Heaped up in
great tiers beside it were piles of golden
oranges, gay boxes OF candy and armies of
dolls and other playthlngs. beautiful
creche stood near by, the cradle containing
mass of tropical t1owers, terms and grasses,
among the leaves of which there glowed
mauy-colored fairy-lamps.
The children, however, were not entirely
absorbed in the glories of the Christmas
tree and its surroundings. At the far end
of the platform stood a pyramid of large
paper packages, and the 200 little ones
spending number of packages, each con-
tanning complete outfit, from a hat to
pair OF shoes. The children had all been
measured for their clothes, but they were
burning TO try the whole costume on, and
see the effects of their new Christmas
suits.
AS for the mothers they could see their
presents awaiting them, too, but they
were neither glittering toys. nor new
frocks. Their presents were something
that pleased the unselfish mothers better
though, for each was to have a large
wicker basket filled with groceries enough
10 last the family through the season of
there would be No want of tea, coffee,
sugar or -four in The house for at least a
week to come.
The entertainment opened with an OPEN
ing address about the patron saint of the
society, Santa Francesca. This was re-.
CltcQ very ptcttliy Wy ttIbl6 OloIId rOX,
also repeated Christmas story which
aroused a good deal of amusement. A
choir, consisting of number of the little
proteges OF the society. sang the "Adeste
Fideles" and a Christmas carol. The
children had been especially trained for
the occasion and their singing was very
good. The other musical numbers in the
programme were couple of trios for man
dolin, guitar and violin. played by Miss
NOyella, Miss Gaillard and Miss Knnx
and Millard's save Marie" sung by Miss
Roney. Al the conclusion of The enter
tainment the presents were distributed.
The officers of the Francesca Society
who presided over yesterdays festival
were: Mrs. Andrew WEIGH. president:
Mrs. Robertson and Miss David, vice
Presidents; Miss Skidmore secretary. and
bliss Brook, treasurer. A large number
of the seventy-five active members were
also active in seeing that the children had
a good time.
Yesterday was the event of all the year