The morning news., 1899-12-22
MAY BE GIVEN BOOKS.
CHILDREN's LOSSES BY THE FIRE
MAY BE MADE GOOD.

Supt. AshmOre and others AdvO-
cate "A Plan for Public subscrip-
tiOns-BeIieved the Children
Would BE Receiving welcome
Christmas Presents-Parents of
Many of Them Arc Unable to Pay
for New BOOks--BOOks Lost in the
Fire-Supt. AshmOre and the Morn
ing News VIII Receive SubscriP-
tiOns to Replace Them.
A schoolbook is not the most ardenly
desired Christmas present of a childish
heart as a general rule Frequently there
are thoughts associated with schooIbooks
that are not the most pleasant. 1t is not
infrequently the case that a child would
Just as soon have them destroyed as not,
but parents regard the matter differently,
and so do many children.
The parents who would feel the cost of
new set of schoolbooks and the children
who love their studies are those whose in
terests several were consulting when they
found occasion to advocate a fund for the
purchase of books for needy pupils among
those who lost all they had in the Chat
ham Academy fire.
A lady who thought of the difficulty
many parents will have in providing books
anew for their children mentioned it to a
representative of the Morning News. She
said she had learned of several cases
where it would be almost impossible for
parents 10 buy new school supplies. She
gave the case of widow who works for
her own living and that of her little son
ncfa a enid hill che "a
certainly be done to enlist public aid.
superintendent of Schools Ashmore was
seen aud fell in readily with the idea. He
said he had no doubt that relief from
cnailtably disposed persons would be well
toned very gladly Just at this time,
eupl Ashmore believes, many who are
sole 10 do so would be very glad 10 as
slst the children in getting new books
me contribution of small sum to the
general fund would help. and a Christmas
present would thereby be given to many
children. long division calculation
would be necessary to ascertain just how
much dollar would help each child, but
al who would care to avail themselves of
lne assistance given would receive their
Snare Of the money.
Ii the books lost in the fire were new
ana IN the booksellers shop they would
ue held al S6l0.66. Supt. Ashmore, inter-
ts'ed in the suggestion that fund be
NFN'tTu LOT the assistance OL lht poOAN'
parents who have children in the two
nathan schools and those rooms of the
Algh School that were damaged, took
steps 10 ascertain the exact loss The
amount given was the result of his labors.
The grammar schools lost heavily. Ihe
oooks destroyed in the Chatham schools
we're worth $537.6l. Those in the Hlgh
sSghool, damaged by water, were worm
s55 OF this loss Supt Ashmore be
heVes there would scarcely be more thah
nal that the public could restore, as about
suat proportion OF the children Will ma
no difficulty In getting new sets of books
tle'r parents being amply able 10 provide
mem The division OF subscription
,u,reiore, would be among not more than
osl the children.
Nany children had taken their books
alme. Had they not done 30 the loss
"y1ld have been much larger. Some OF
N' looks were not needed a home for
s'hins study. and II will be observed ~
lhiemenf appended that there we're
more Of some kinds than Of others
F'p+ Aahmorc ascertalned the loss BY Yia-