The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-26
DIR. WEBB. onRIsrM1s Hosr:
Joyous Festival In His Mars ut sheiburus
Parma.

BURLINGTON, VT, Dec. 25.-Dr. and Mrs.
Seward Webb gave a Christmas festival to the
children OF Trinity parish and Sholburno Farms,
the exercise being hold In the ring building nt
the breeding barn, which is situated only q short
distance from the doctors summer home at
Shclburne Farms. Tho invitations were limited
for tho most part to children. but in many cases
included the farm employees. nearly all of
whom were present. As carly as 4 o'clock this
afternoon the guests began to arrive, being re-
ceivod at tho entrance to the barn by DR.. Webb.
The ring building was lighted by calcium lights.
Seats had been provided for 500 persons, every
ono OF which was occupied. Tho hall was dec
GRATED with holly and mistlctoc.
During tho timo while the guests were arriv-
irg Mr.. Clayton Webb presided over q phono-
graph, which gave great enjoyment to the little
onos. IL was 4:30 o'clock when the big doors
wero closed, and tho opera house orchestra
played q march. followed by a selection from
the opera "Amorita.' The next numbers on
the programme were the Christmas carols.
shepherds Watched the Flocks by Night"
Shout tho Glad Tldings,' and Thou Didst
Leave Thy Throne" by the boy choir Of Trinity
Church. consisting Of seventeen voices, directed
by Mr.. d. Lloyd Jones Of Shclburno.
Vanderbilt Webb. aged o, dressed as Santa
Claus and with n snow white beard reaching
half way to the floor, recited "The Night Be-
fore Christmas" needing little prompting by
his father. At $3.50 o'clock the curtains
were drawn aside, and a Christmas tree
lighted with many hundred candles and
filled with cornucopias was disclosed. while
around three sides of tho room. which
had been decorated with 6r trees and evergreen
were piled high hundreds OF presents. Or. Webb.
sided at the ii distriSution. tho doctor r' personally fIT,
handing to each recipient his gift All the gifts
had been preyi91sly arranged by families, #
was called all present bearing that name should
The distribution of tho presents occupied fully
three-qnarters of an hour, and included among
other gifts fifty gold watches, each in a leather
coats, caps, gloves, many articles Of clothing for
the little ones, not to mention a vast quantity of
After oil had received thir presents, DR.. and
Mrs; Webb conducted, the smaller children to
the Christmas tree and gave to each a cornu-
boy choir was given a purse containing a crisp
Dr. Webb then invited all children under 10
years TO go with him on a fishing expedition, to
Shsfh P sss M \ PirsPFs redri X t sed hH Mr a9 Gre Eish5n
Mrs. Webb and their sons. j. Watson Seward and
took special pains to prompt his brother
f Isl %aa%knt and ft lie look OF. OF d RfsFuSb' that o came ine
upon the face of Master vanperbilt Webb as he
drew from the pond a negro doll baby was
worthy Of comedy.
A collation. was served at $3.50 o'clock. While
the hall was being cleared for dancing a nifty
pound bag Of candy, suspended from the ceiling
OF the ring building, was broken by four boys
went to those who chose to enter the scramble
for 1t on the floor. which had been covered with
canvas to receive It.. Dancing was begun
Taylor and Mrs. Gebhardt and DR.. Webb lead
ing the first cotillon. 1t was 11:30 when the
last waltz was over and all had babe good night
to host and hostess.