The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-16
HAPPY FESTIVAL
Of LITTLE ONES
Children of the Day Homes
Gathered at the Audi
torium.
An Enjoyable Entertainment
Preceded the Appearance of
Santa Claus.
Chris tmas Gifts Bestowed Upon the
Children of Hard. Working
Parents.

Santa Claus was in town yesterday and
spent the afternoon at the Auditorium,
where the Sisters of the Holy Family gave
a Christmas festival to :he children of the
Sacred Heart, st. Joseph and st. Francis
day homes. In honor of his coming the
Auditorium had been pretlly decorated,
the entrance presenting a particularly
attractive appearance with is rows of tall
palms and arches of holly berries.
The stage likewise took on festive air,
with ferns and holly berries arranged
artistically here and there. The little
ones began to arrive at o clock, each one
arrayed in his or her best bib and tucker,
and each little face bright with expectancy.
There were 600 of them, and they repre-
scented the children of Woodworking par
ents to whom Christmas is not always a
time of cheer; indeed, to many of them
the necessities of life are luxury.
But Santa Claus did not forget those
dear little children this year. He had
something for each and every one of the IN,
and they knew it, too, so it is no wonder
they were Drimful of good nature and wore
such great broad smiles. for they had
heard all about Santa Claus, and knew he
was coming yesterday afternoon and was
going to bring a great load OF toys. 1t
didn't matter that it stormed, for Santa
Claus had promised to be there, and they
knew he wouldn' disappoint them.
They had prepared delightful little
programme, and in the opening chorus
their voices rang out clear and sweet upon
an audience that filled the house. The
little ones had been spiendidly drilled and
acted their separate parts 10 perfection.
When the chorus Santa Claus will
soon be here" had been sung with all the
enthusiasm of childhood the little ones
grew wild with delight. Sure enough he
did appear, and he wasn't make believe
Santa Claus, but real live one with
flowing white beard and wearing great
stout coat. He was blowing trumpet
most fuTiously, but he couldn't begin to
make enough noise to drown the yells OF
approval that enanated from those little
Threats. He resembled Rip Van Wrinkle
more than the proverbal Santa Claus, but
the children didn't mind that, they Just
stood on their chairs clapping their hands
and screeching with delight They made
such noise that the combined efforts OF
the Sisters to quiet them had no effect.
They were too happy TO heed any one, sc
they Just cheered and cheered until they
grew tired, and then they let Santa Claus
have a chance. He made them neat lit
tie speech and then they were real quiet
for minute, but when the Christmas tree
was brought on and the children caught
glimpse of it another howl OF delight
went up.
Then came the supreme moment for
those little children. They were marched
upon the stage and each little girl pre-.
sented with doll; and such pretty dolls
There were blonde dolls and brunette
dolls and girl and boy dolls, all dressed In
the height of fashion. And each little
girl was as proud of her doll as mother OF
her first born. For many OF them it was
the first doll, in fact, the first playtoy
they had ever had, and 1t was pity that
the dolls could not appreciate the tender
ness bestowed upon them.
The boys received trumpets and imme-
diately proceeded to make things lively,
as boys will. Each child received box OF
candy and the tree was weighted down
with picture books and boxes OF dishes.
Ramm and Demp easy, assisted IN the dis
tribution of the gifts