The evening times., 1896-12-25
Saks & Company,
''Saks' Corner 81

have been wild for days over the coming If
the holidays. Their ardor has been re
strained to reasonable bounds with diff
Guilty by the gentle sisters, but today it
broke loose in mad frolicking, and the holi-
days have actually set in, as was evidenced
this afternoon by the shouts of the boys in
the Fairgrounds. Father McGee said mass
at O'Clock, and about 10 O'Clock tie
games and toys and goodies Were distrib
uted. Christmas dinner, OF course, came at
noon, followed by the noisy ebulhtion into
the Fairgrounds.
Treat for the Boys.
There will he many entertainments and
delights for the boys during the holiday
week, and especially on next Tuesday will
the good time eliminate. Nine. Bonapdr.e
gives a treat ON that day, which follows the
marriage OF her daughter on Monday. Her
little daughter, Marguerite will play the
role OF the fairy godmother for the boys,
and feast will be spread Of ices and
cake and fruits At 3 o'clock a distribu-
tion of toys will take place. followed with
singing. This is a yearly benevolence of
Nine. Bonaparte' stothe hundred motherless
boys.
AT st. AIMS Infant Asylum, on X street,
the kindness Of friends has found express
sion in most munificent donations Df tur-
keys and otherdelicacies. The annual Christ
mas tree has been arranged in one of the
big playrooms. Mass was celebrated early
and after merry breakfast the children
were admitted to view the wonderful tree.
Their Christmas fete will continue until
the 9Th Of January, which is Epiphany or
little Christmas. On that day the tree VIII
be made to shed its fruit for the year.
1t is hard to tell of sad things on this day
OF days for all the world But there are
hard things TO tell If the records Of the
board of children's guardians could speak
they would relate incidents that would
check hilarity and make people reflect
over sin which deforms the home. This
board fills in the breach of dissolution nd
takes children from worthless surround
ings to give them an cnviI onment of health
to grow in.
But at Christmas time many mother
recnllects what She has thrown away or
lost through calamity too heavy aim jst
for endurance Mr.. II. W. Lewis, the
superintendent, says that these are not
stories to be told. though he admits that
many mother has come to herself some
what at this time and begged to LOld her
of love into his ears But it cannot be.
Regcncrating influences cannot be inter-
fered with. However. these children have
all had their Christmas; net one has been
forgotten.
At the Reform schools.
In the Maulsby Home there are twenty
two of the children of the board Of guar
dians, besides a great many others. They
had their Christmas treat On Wednesday,
and all were given toys and goodies.
The reform schools have not been behind
other Institutions in celebrating the day
The girls had their tree last night, and al
though the V I'll nge in ages from ten to eight
cen, an epidemic for dolls has broken out,
which has been appeased with many gifts
The girls today have had their feast, AMI
work has been suspended for the celebra-
ton. AL the boys reform school, where
there are 22o youths, from eleven up 10
sixteen, this has been day OF play
The schools, as well as all work in the
shops. have been suspended. At noon a
good dinner was served, and this evening
they will have a Christmas tree. at which.
Kriss Kringle will be unprecedented by one
OF the teachers His pack VIII be full of
gifts for every one of the smaller boys
This will be followed ny 4 graphophona en-
tertainment, generously contributed by
a gentleman who withholds ms name
Christmas time ut the Reform School is,
as far as possible. made the occasion not
alone offestivity. bat OF impressing upon the
little ones committed to its care the true
lesson of the time. with all its significance
of charity and love, not alone of givers Of
temporary pleasures, but Of the greater
gift of the Christ child
Last Sunday there was Catholic service
for those Of that faith. Next Sunday Dr.
Hamlin of the Church of the Covenant
will give an illustrated lecture on the Holy
Land, with special attention to that part
where Christ was born and spent His later
life. This will be the elimination Of the
holidays.
And 80 tonight, when the children say
their prayers, kneeling in their little white
nightgowns in frosty chambers, they canal
say the prayer of Tiny Tim, God bless Us,
every one"