The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-25
MRS. THORPE'S BUSY DAY.
She Makes Glad Many Young Hearts
Among the Destitute.
TOYS AND SUBSTANTIAL ARTICLES
Donated by Topeka People Placed
where They Will Bring the Most
Happiness and Comfort.

Donated by Topeka People Placed
where They Will Bring the Most
Happiness and Comfort.
Today was not a totally cherries
Christmas in many a destitute family.
Last night was not wholly devoid of joy
for a great many little ones in Topeka
whose parents were too poor to buy them
anything. Thanks to the many charita-
bic persons in Topeka the poor enjoyed
in some measure at least one day in the
year.
The headquarters for the good and
substantial things which were given
away today were at the Van Buren street
home of Police Matron Thorpe. ali day
Yesterday she was kept busy receiving
gifts for the needy, and all day too the
destitute were calling upon her for aid.
Yesterday afternoon the police matron
distributed among the very poor families
stockings filed with toys and nuts given
by the kindergartens of the city. These
were given to the parents of poor chill
dren, and this morning many little eye
sparkled to behold the stockings bulglng
with youthful implements of happiness.
Long before the day closed the stockings
were empty and pressed into service as
garments to keep out the cold.
As the charity worker busted herself
among the gifts in her store room yester-
day afternoon the loud echo OF heavy
boots upon the porch called her to the
door. a rugged man of gigantic frame
walked in. His long red beard fell on
his breast.
Lets see, what was it you wanted?'
asked Mrs. Thorpe.
In answer, the man held up the ragged
sleeve of his overcoat filed with holes.
The matron had no overcoat to give him.
"Oh, veil. Az veel get along, Ay veel
get along" said the Swede, for this was
his nationality. SAY make enough now
TO buy something to eat, SO Ay do not
complain" Then he went out into the
rain.
Almost Immediately three black urch-
ms came in.
"Oh, Mrs Thorpe, I wants pair of
pants and a waist, an coat, too" said
one. The others echoed his wants.
''Are you going TO have any Christmas
at your housed" asked the matrou.
"Yes sum, I'm goin' ter Civ 'em some
pn," spoke up one who did not belong to
the same family.
"Why, have you any money to buy
presents with?" asked Mrs. Thorpe.
"Yes sum, l promised 'em some time
ago I'd get 'em a little something Ye
1
some time ago an I'm goin' ter pay it
back with presents"
well, that's better than not paying ii
ct ALL" exclaimed Mrs. Thorpe.
As the matron went out to get some
thing for the three colored boys they
amused themselves in the reception
room, "Here's the hoodlum," shouted
one, "Goed Lawd, cried the other two,
as they sprang to their feet. Then they
saw the picture of the patrol wagon on
the mantel and sank back unto theiI
seats.
There was the traditional boy with
sacks of nuts in his arms and his toe:
sticking through his shoes and his trous-
ers ragged at the knees. aust get
ting little something for the
folks" he explained to you il
you looked at his rain soaked
packages and then glanced at his ragged
clothes and shoes. Then he took stick
of licorice from his pocket and began Il
chew it.
While Mrs. Thorpe tied up package;
for the needy, she said: THE poor o
Topeka almost owe their Christmas tt
the JOURNAL Ever since those very des
titute cases were reported people are tax
ing great interest in helping, and they
are giving beautifully"