Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-25
The Day Brought Happiness to the
Orphans.
CHRISTMAS TREES And TURKEYS
Pretty Scenes This Morning in
the Asylums.
THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

This Is a gladstone day for the majority
of people, but without doubt the day brings
no greater happiness to any one than it
does, to the unfortunate little tots, mother
less and fatherless, whose home is an or
phan asylum. At times during the long
year there are probably moments of dreari--
ness. of loneliness and longings for home
with loving parents and kind friends. But
Christmas is the bright day that is looked
forward to. On that day they wouldn't
voluntarily change places with a prince,
at least that is the way it appeared to a Star
reporter who made the rounds of the insti-
tutions shortly. before noon today.
Merry Christmas" from a chorus of tiny
maidens, neatly dressed and wearing spot
less white aprons greeted the reporter as
he entered the front door at St. Vincent's
Female Orphan Asylum. Look at my
dollie; isn't it the prettiest?" and dozen or
more pairs of little arms held out gorgeously
oedeckcd babies for inspection. OF course
each one was the prettiest, at least so
thought each proud owner.
A little girl with red hair and freckled
face was busy swapping chocolate candy
TOT chewing gum with golden-haired child,
the possesSor of a Strikingly winsome face
1t was apparent that discipline and all rules
and regulations had been relaxed, for the lit
tie ones were enjoying themselves to their
there was the biggest and most beautiful
Christmas tree imaginable. It was profuse-
ly decorated with fruit in the shape of well
come presents. The little girls PLAYED about
the tree without restraint but in decorous
manner as betitted little ladies who have
enjoyed proper training.
A Christmas Tree.
The day opened at st. Vincents with
mass in the chapel, conducted by Father
Stafford. After breakfast the children
marched in to see the tree and were then
| turned loose. Quite a number of the chill
dren were permitted to go out and spend
the day with friends, while others recev-
ed visitors and presents at the asylum.
One of the principal features of the day
was the dinner this afternoon, the edibles
being contributed largely by friends of
the institution. A Christmas entertain
ment for the children will be held Friday
next at Carroll Institute Hall.
There was high carnival indeed all day
long at st. Josephs Male Orphan Asylum,
and this fact was fully impressed on the
neighbors we'll as the passers by in the
vicinity of H street between 9th and 10th.
No one could doubt that there We're boys
behind that high stone wall for shouts of
every conceivable boyish description rang
out almost continuously. The unsuspect-
Ing reporter was ushered into the yard by
one of the sisters and found himself in
the midst of three spirited foot ball games
all that was lacking being the character
istic long hair. Several games of ten pins
were in progress while marbles, base ball
and other interesting entertaining features
we're not lacking In the play room scores
of little boys. just as happy those out
side, were playing with toys. In one cor
ner of the room had been erected a rep
resentation Of the manager at Bethlehem.
The rising hour at ST. Joseph's was $50
o'clock and half an hour later Father Nc
Gee conducted mass. Then followed such
breakfast as is seldom seen. Next on
the program was the distribution of toys.
after which the fun commenced All day
long additions to the supply were being
received and distributed. This included
candy. oranges and other good things.
Early in the afternoon the foot ball games
were brought to a close and the other
pastimes stopped in order that the boys
might be washed and dressed in their
best clothes. The sport of the morning
had naturally inspired voracious appetite,
and the dinner set before the boys was a
revelation. There was everything i'm
aginable-turkey, cranberries. celery, and
almost everything that can be thought
Of Ice cream, cake, mince pie and pud-
ding were among the lists of dessert and
there was plenty left over. Hanging out
side the kitchen are enough turkeys to last
for week or more and the sisters desire
to extend their thanks to the good people
who so kindly and generously remembered
the youngsters.