The evening times., 1895-12-19

Theoretically speaking Christmas is a
time OF pure delight and the days leading to
il series OF expectant Joy and profound
pleasure. Practically it sends avalanches
of work. care and anxiety into our every
day life. But no onc>,is as busy these
times as the woman who belongs TO a
charity club.
These orga nizations are so numerous now
that one wonders If there is anybody left
who wants for anything at ali-raiment,
DourishmeDt, shelter, or even for lies
luxurics.
one club here is called The Christ Child"
and ITS maiD object just now is 10 play
Santa Claus for the children of the poor.
Its plan Of action is practical and sue
cessrui. About seven hundred members are
enrolled under the banner Of the Christ
Child, and zach memter is pledged In the
name OF the lowly babe OF Bethleiem's S
maDeer to respond TO the petitions re-
ceived in the general office.
About two weeks before Christmas the
letters from the little ones come in thick
and fast. Somehow, the children know all
about The Christ Child. and have their re-
quests all ready before December days are
III their first decade. The letters are placed
in IA large ba sket. and III mes OF the members
are written on slips OF paper and laid in
an adjacent spot.
DRAWING THE NAMES.
Miss Merrick. the invalid president of the
society, draws letter from the basket
and a name from the list The member is
notified by mail that her name has been
dra wn and size is sent the letter, with re-
quest that she attend to the petition
promptly.
Some of these letters re unique specimens
of literature. but all brea the an unbounded
faith in The Christ Child and ask with all
the confidence that Il little one usually re-
poses in Santa Claus. Here is a letter re-
ceiyed yesterday by d member OF this beahtl-
rul charity:
Lear Christ Child: | am a little girl five
years old. NJ y sister is writing this letter
hair and teeth. | want some cdrdy, and
my baD brother wants Il rubber ban. Gocd-
bye. Your loving ANNIE c."
Another child wants Christmas tree,
all trimmed. But such requests as these
are voted Impractical, and something else
is substituted. There is & great uniformity
in the child mind. Girls ask for dolls,
dishes and housefurnis hings genera Ily.
Boys want balls, guns. fishing tackle, mar
bies and sltds. Once in u while an original
genius asks for something extraordinary.
Such a child wrote the following letter.
Dear Christ Child want TO be black
smith when I'm big l want 4 beIlGs ror
Christmas, and big hammer, and some
old horseshoes, and some nails. Please
send big ones From EDDIE -"
ASK A PENNY A HEAD.
A little girl with an eye 10 business
asked for Il magic lantern 50 she could give
shows and ask penny Il head. and ma ke
lots OF money. Another asks The Christ
CBild TO send her Dig BANGLE oT co-orcd
tissie paper right away, so she can NAL
pretty shaving bails and sell them.
II is estimated that about 900 children
are furnished with toys by this One organ.
zation. Surely there is no more beauti-
full charity on this green earth than To
play Santa Claus where the family purse
strings are so tightly drawn that not one
extra penny can be spared for Christmas
pleasures.
TIE Christ Child is thoroughly democratic.
1t supplies black, white, our native Eopu-
lation and the stranger that dweils within
our gates. Jews, Gentiles, Cathol lies,
Nethodists, all denominations, have a claim
on the Christ Child.
Its motto is, "iDasmuch as you have done
these things unto the least OF these. my
little ones, you have done ftem unto Ne"
So. in His name. the little petitions are
heartily and promptly answered, and
Christmas morning will find more tLan one
tiny heart throbGipg with love ard grati-
tude to the Divine Infant wLo is so gen
erous and thoughtful to the little boys and
girls OF Washington.