The Portland daily press., 1897-12-27
KRIS KRiNGLE.
Brought Happiness to Many Bright Faces
on the Street and In the Churches.

At the Second Parish church the Christ
mas cantata, "Santa in Plight" was
presented by members of the Sunday
school, after which the little ones present
were made happy by Mr.. B. A. Morrow,
who, dressed as Santa Claus distributed
presents from the bountifully laden trees
The platform was handsomely decorated
in evergreen and 1t was an evening of
much enjoyment for old and young.
From here the reporter went into the
yestry of Chestnut street church, where
on all sides one WAS greeted by bright
and happy faces. Tho platform was
arranged like an immense old fashioned
fireplace, with its brick chimney over
which were hung bells each one bearing
letter the whole spelling merry Christ
mas On each side OF the fireplace was
a large tree, each loaded down with
presents. A pleasing entertainment was
first given, one of the most pleasing mum.
bers of which was the song. "Jolly Old
Santa" sung by little Helen Miller, tot
who could hardly speak plain. but who
went through her part bravely and was
greeted with hearty applause.
This was the programmes:
Opening chorus. By Girls
Reading Scripture Story,
Superintendent
Welcome address Warren Norton
SoIo-Jolly Old Santa, Helen Miller
Dialogue-The Months, Twelve scholars
Solo, Bertha Mcdonald
The Star of Bethlehem, Primary Boys
MISUNDERSTANDING for Santa Claus.
Christine Wyer and George Parsons
Chorus-Kris Kringle, Girls
EAT the close of the programme Mr..
George 81. Davis. representing Santa
Claus, distributed the gifts from the
trees.
The next place visited was the Friends
church on Oak street Upon arrival
here it seemed like going into a big old
fash oned kitchen, for there was the large
fireplace with its mantel all hung
around with stockings full of presents
and bays OF goodies while the mantel it.
self was fairly loaded down with gifts
for some fortunate ones. On each side of
the platform was large tree reaching
clear to the ceiling, both fairly loaded
down with good things for old and young.
The vestry was prettily decorated with
evergreen in festoons and banked up in
front of 5he stage, the whole giving g
very pleasing effect A pretty feature of
the evenings exercises was large salver
brought on the platform by a little boy
upon which were presents for all the lit
tie ones present, whether they belonged
to the Sunday school or not. A pleasing
programme was rendered, after which
Superintendent Bailey distributed the
presents from the trees.
The First Free Baptist church also
celebrated Christmas in a happy manner,
with exercises appropriate to the occasion
The exercises were by the children and
consisted of the Christmas cantata, en-
tit ed "The Enchanted Castle' A min
iature castle complete in every detail, was
erected at the back of the platform, the
top of which was candy boxes, which
were afterwards distributed to the chill
dren. After the oantata the attention of
all was turned to the two largo trees
which were loaded with presents and the
sight Of which brought happy look on
the faces of all present, for Santa Claus
had been good and even very liberal with
some, for Rev. Mr.. Malvern, the pastor.