Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25
MERRY TINE WITH SANTA
Jolly Old Character Quite Active Among the
Children.
DISTRIBUTES PRESENTS VERY LAWsHLY
Surprises for the Little Ones and
Amusement for the Older Heads
Constitute the Program nt
Many Churches.

ing the shops were composed of individuals
eagerly seeking something to gladden. old
and young hearts. Each was carrying some
sort OF gift that expressed loves remem-
brance In thousands of bright homes
Christmas trees were bending beneath their
burdens In almost every church in the
city dear old Santa Claus was being enthusi-
asucally welcomed by shouting and delighted
children. His great fur coat appeared a
triie too warm and his powdered wig mani.
tested an inclination frequently to melt In
the perspiration Of his steaming forehead.
The autumn night air and the snowless
streets gave little encouragement to his
weary reindeer teams. and his jngling
sleighbells sounded a bit incongruous, but
he is a willing old fellow, and he only
laughed the heartier when windows were
opened to let in the warm south wind
He arrived early at the Broadway Meth
odist church, but several hundred pairs of
bright eyes were there eagerly watching
for his advent from the tremendous old
fashioned fireplace and chimney that occu-
pied a large portion OF the east end of the
church basement. He came down the chin
ney with a great clatter and was ready at
once to bsgin the work of unloading the
great Christmas tree that bore a present
for every child in the ROOM But this was
not according to the program.
SANTA CLAUS A PRISONER.
big screen was placed over the fire.
place and he was a captive and for half
an hour the children entertained him and
all others present in most delightful man
ner He was shown a seat and listened TO
Christmas anthem by the church choir
end a prayer by tina pastor Rev. j. II. SEN
seney, followed by a song from the children
of the Sunday school. Garfield Paulson told
him, by means OF IA recitative narrative,
what it was to be "Only a Boy" and Mr..
Lougee's class in concert told him what
to Do at Our House" Anna Mcbride and
Miss McFadden entertained him with a
duet, with chorus by the choir Arthur Will
liams logged his memory by recting a story
about Christmas of Long Ago" Ruth
Harl and May Anna Sims gave two recita-
tions and song, I'm Bethlehem" Grace
Woodford entertained the old fellow with
happy recitation, and then to give him
real taste OF all the joys and privileges of
civilization a collection was taken up. Guy
Bouricius sent his blood tinglng through
his veins with a violin solo. His fat sides
shook and his bells tinkled merrily.
Miss McFadden again delighted him with
q vocal solo, and then the whole school sang
with tremendous fervor Listen to the
Sleighbels." When the song died away the
old fellow was put to work distributing the
presents. 1t was joyful work, and he threw
his whole soul into It, Two immense black
and labeled C. NJ Harl and the other C. G.
Saunders. They held a bushel and each
was filled to overflowing.
AT TRINITY METHODIST.
At the Trinity Methodist church Santa
Claus entertained the Sunday school in a
delightful manner. distributing gifts to all
Of the children. Here he received another
surprise that almost took his breath away.
At the conclusion OF his work dear old
Mother Goose was brought forward and in
troduced to him, and before he had time
to think Of the possibility of conspiracy
the minister stepped forward and married
them. II took his breath away for all in
stant. but while the crowd was congratulate
ing the old lady he slipped away and full
filled engagements at the other churches.
During the evening pleasant program
was given, in which all the classes of the
Sunday school took part. Each gave dis
tinctive entertainment appropriate to Christ
mas time TableauX were given on raised
platform. There was a Christmas tree on
either side OF this, brilliantly Illuminated.
ONE GENUINE" SANTA.
Christmas was celebrated in magnificent
style at the First Baptist church last night.
They had a genuine Santa Claus q brightly
lighted Christmas tree, lots of candy and
nuts for the little ones, beautiful tableau
and a well arranged program of singing
and responsive reading. The entertainment
was concluded by delightful illustration
of the story OF Santa Claus, the giver of
good things to old and young. Two little
tots were found fast asleep on a doorstep.
All the lights in the church auditorium eX-
cept those directly over the platform were
turned out. The curtain was then drawn
aside and in marched troop of fairies.
The background represented the interior OF
a comfortable old fashioned room There
was a wide, spacious chimney place AMI
two windows through which could be seen
the drifting snow. Santa Claus appeared
and the troop of fairies came in to light
the Christmas tree. All this transplred
while the little ones were sleeping. They
awaken and find their dream n reality |
After the entertainment the children were
all presented with generous sack of candy |
and nuts.
FIFTH AVENUE METHODIST.
In the Fifth Avenue Methodist church he |
made his advent through an immense chin |
ney, composed wholly of candy He again |
showed his shrewdness by taking the chin |
ney to pieces and distributing it among the
children. thereby saving a large part of the |
contents OF the great pack he carried on his |
shoulders.
The Christian church people united in Civ |
ing the children OF the Seventeenth Avenue !
mission great treat, in which Santa Claus |
filed a star engagement He was most gor- |
geous with his pack and when he left there |
was an almost empty bag on his shoulders. |
All of the children in the vicinity and in |
lne SOulnWesleTu part Ol the city were |
there, and each little one was generously |
An informal celebration OF Christmastide |
was held at the Congregational. No attempt |
was made at a set program, though some |
we'll rendered Christmas carols helped to !
PASS the evening pleasantly. After the read
ng of several selected passages, Santa Claus
appeared and assisted in distributing a
1ountiful supply of candies, nuts and fruit
CHRISTIAN HOME CHILDREN.
or all the places In the city, Santa Claus
received the mcst enthusiastic welcome at
he Christian FNme, and there he tarred
he longest. Two hundred and fifty or
Dhaned children hung up their stockings in !
me OF the great halls. The sight touched |
he old fellows heart and he crowded such
packages OF candy and nuts
nto them that many OF them were unable
% stand the strain. No visit that he has
made In this part of the country afforded
lim so much keen enjoyment and in no
place were his efforts TO gladden. little
hearts received with such enthusiasm and
perfect faith. He has accepted the invita-.
ion OF the home people to stop there today
md assist in the big Christmas dinner that
las been provided for the children. Twenty
I've big turkeys, thirty quarts OF cranber.
les, kegs OF oysters and thirty dozen ba-
lanas are among the delicacies that will be
provided. This afternoon at 3 o'clock the
hildren VIII give a Christmas entertain
nent. and tonight there will be three trees
aden with toys.