Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-12-24
A CHRISTMAS STORY,
A Tree and Chimney at Glen
Oaks Home.
SANTA KLAUS ANNUAL TRIP.
To the Orphans and How They Were
Entertained,

Christmas at the Orphans Home is
always an interesting event, inter
esting to those in charge OF the in
'titutiOn, more interesting To the
ladies' who are actively engaged in
the management, aud most interest
ing to the children who are there.
They range in ages from the tiny
waif in the cradle, who has never
known a mothers care, to young boys
and girls who are pupils in the higher
classes of the public schools. All the
children are remembered, by the con-
,cientious employees of the institution;
by the noble ladies OF Salem, who are
active members of the board of man
Igement; and by friends abroad In
different parts Of the state. During
the week before Christmas, packages
ire constantly coming in the mails,
and the children are as excited over
the mysterious arrivals as in any
other home in our grand state.
This afternoon at o'clock, special
Christmas exercises we're held In the
school room under the general super
vision Of the Matr0n, Miss Lena
Brandt. The recItations and literary
exercises were IN charge OF Miss, Alice
McFadden, preceptress Of the instltu-
lion. The music for the occasion was
under the direction Of Miss Stella
Yates, one Of the most advanced pu-
pills. The music and speaking being
provided for, there was still the more
important feature of the day, the eat
ing. A splendid Christmas feast had
beenlprepared by Miss Amend, chef
de cuisine. While'the children at the
Oregon Orphans Hone always have
plenty of good things to eat, On this
occasion they were given free range,
and, If we are any judge, did full jus
tice to the occasion. There was a
beautiful Christmas tree, on which
all were happily remembered. The
former matron, Mrs. Elizabeth Hol
ton, had sent up something appropri-
ate to each one, and even the absent
orphans, who haYe recently been pro-
vided with homes in good families
were not forgotten. Mrs. Holton's
work as matron was one continuous
record of splendid womanly devotion
to those unfortunate child rem, and
she will be long remembered for heI
nearly four years services at the
head of this home. After the Christ
mas tree, huge fire place built uI
OF bricks made of Christmas goodies
was dismantled, under the direction
of Santa Claus himself, At an en-
barrassing juncture when Santa, WIN
was impersOnated by Miss McFadden
had run entirely out OF presents
Rita Long, came to the rescue as q
graceful little fairy with silver
wand add pointed out the new tFeas-
ures, and the interesting bricks were
soon distributed.
Besides presents for the children
from the matron, and plenty CT candy
and peanuts from generous hearted
business men of Salem, there were in
diyldual gifts from outsiders to give
a number Of the children. The book
and reading matter are very much ap
preciated. Many OF the children ar
old enough to read for themselves, ant
greedily deyour all that they can &c
| hold of. On this occasion might b
mentioned that during the past yea
a library Of about fifty volumes, wit
book shelves, was presented TO tn
orphans home. The library was sc
cured through the efforts of Miss Or
villa Ballou, primary teacher in tn
public schools, and Mrs. p. S. knight
matron Of the deaf,mutC school; an
were purchased cut OF funds whlc
the ladies had raised for klndergarte
promotion work. The books hay
been read over and over aud more III
erature, suitable for children, is yeT
much needed 1T The home. The afte
noon was concluded with games an
story telling.
A Christmas story was related
the children by one OF the guests II
yited 10 be present. The story Is a
, proprlate 10 bs read by parents
their children on Christmas eve, II
adapted from the German aud IL
lesson il teaches is well worth heel
inc: