The morning times., 1896-12-29
FEAST FOR THE URCH|NS
Street Gamins Royalty Inter-
tanned by Salvation Army.
GIVEN USEFUL PRESENTS
After Dinner Had Been Disposed
% of the Guests Assembled About
the Stage Where the Big Tree
Was Placed Candy and Frnit
In Plenty.

The Salvation Army lasses acted as
hostesses last evening To about 200 news
boys, bootblacks and street ganins sI.d
right royalty the brigade was entertained
with Christmas tree and a table that
would have brought envy to an epcure.
The Salvationists had prepared for the
even. long in advance but not a whit 5000 4r
than the boys themselves began To look
forward TO il. Staff Capt Blanche Cox
had laid the foundation for the plans
long before she was transferred from this
/ district, and her scheme was faithfully
carried out by those who formerly worked
with her, with the addition Of new IDEAS
as the emergency demanded
Liberal Donations.
Collections were solicited on every hdn1,
l9and the citizens responded gener )usly
to the call. The gifts We're not limited
to money, but comprised everything from
"a pair OF mittens or warm stockings to
niuffler or a cap or pair Of muffs for the
ears. All this is the reason, therefore,
that the young monarchs last evening
beield such tree as their eyes had never
-efore witnessed.
A sturdy Soldier Of the Cross stationed
I himself about O'Clock at the swinging
doors of the spacious Salvation Hall, on
Pennsylvania avenue.
Long before that hour the urchins had
begun to assemble on the stairs and clear
down the side walk about the front OF the
building The guard at the door permitted
limited number, about seyenty-fIve, TO
enter at one time.
y Royal Feast.
Possibly the entry of the boys into the
room could not be compared with the march
OF any of the Four Hundred into ball room.
Newsboys and bootblacks are enOtacquainted
with functions But every youth who made
up his mind to 60 found ms way through
the swinging doors and the vigilance of the
| doorkeeper alone kept the minimum OF
each party near the seventy-five limit.
As soon as company had been formed
it would be escorted TO O long table st
one end of the room where the feast iol-
lowed Ensign Worthington, with Lieuts.
| Hopkins, Bradshaw and Nordstram, and
| the whole membership OF the local corps
| were IN charge of the waits.
! And such dinner. There was turkey
| and cranberry sauce. celery, dressing. fruits,
| candy, nuts, pudding, pie, atd many bded
| ice cream-and then for those who wanted
! it-there was a beginning of all the :ame
over again, until there nothing ieft
| 10 do but get up and stretch and v ak
t away.
Boys Entertained.
| When one company had finished the
| prohin had gone at least once from ii e
| beginning To The end OF the elegant menu.
| AS the diners finished they were usered
| To the other e nd OF the hail in front II the
| stage The biggest tree that could be
moved through the doors adorned the
| roSrum.
The Youngsters who were filled We're
seated in the chairs before this stage and
| while the untitled were dining, Ensign
| Worthington and her assistants entertained
| the rest with songs, recitations and stories
| Certainly the crowd was noisy, but ii was
| orderly The waits could not be expected
| 10 maintain the decorum of d funeral
| party, but when one youngster leaned over
| and pulled the hair of The boy in front
! of him until the pullee called out in pain.
| a look from the ensign quelled all disorder
Presents for All.
| Finally the last diner had finished and
| taken his seat beside the rest. Their wSs
brief service OF song and prayer, and
in this the boys joined enthusiastically, md
| the distribution OF gifts began. Mr. and
| Mrs. II. 3. +. Macfarland, both of whom
| are largely interested in the work am ong
! the rovers OF the streets assisted in this
| mart Of tho uroprau1
| The needs of each lad were catered to
| as far as possible A bag OF candy and
| an orange were given to each one. Then
| came the more substantial articles of
| wear that We're destined to last the young
sters after the memory and the taste OF
| the rest had vanished.
| The candles on and about the tree were
! lighted, and it looked for all the world
! like a bit of Santa Claus own forest. In
all the brilliant scene the Salvationists
moved back and forth, and added 10 the
| wonderment of the boys.