The Florida star. (Titusville, Fla.) 1880-1917, 1900-12-28

pleasant day, everyone seemed TO vie
with each other to see who could make |
their friends glad and happy.
Indian River band met in the morn |
ing and rendered a number of selections,
which enliyened the town up eonsidera-
bly,, the stirring music had an unusually
happy effect upon the people, who took
advantage of the holiday to get away
from business cares for a few hours
recreation.
kindergarten Christmas Tree.
The beginning of the Christmas festiv-
tiles in Titusville was a Christmas tree
given by Miss Bessie Bryan for her pu-
pills in the kindergarten department, held
in their rooms in the public school build
ing, Saturday afternoon, December %.
The parents and friends of the little
ones were invited, many o whom were
present to enjoy seeing them made happy.
1t was a beautiful sight, indeed, that
greeted the eyes of the visitors as they
entered and beheld one of the prettiest
Christmas trees ever seen in this place,
with fifty-three happy, bright-faced chill
dren grouped around it.
The tree was decorated with festoon-
ings Of pure white paper chain, the effect
of which against the green bOughs of the
tree was most pleasing. Many other
beautiful and decorative articles made by
the little kindergartners' hands, for
Christmas gifts to those they love, also
adorned the tree. Besides these there
were numerous "store bought presents
provided by Miss Bryan for her pupils,
and her generosity was not confined even
to those OF her own department, but
there were pretty things for all the chill
dren invited from the other departments;
in fact she had something in reserve for
all the little ones who might be present,
and not one went away without some
thing to gladden. his little heart.
The room was darkened and the tree
was lighted up with numerous coiored
candles, which added much to the effect
of the scene.
The entertainment was begun with ap-
propriate exercises by the children, and
it was delightful to notice the willing
ness and zest with which they entered
upon their little duties, and their cheer
full and happy obedience in following any
direction of their kind and loving teach
er. They seem to recognize her as their
friend.
After the singing, recitations, etc, of
the little ones, came the distribution of
the presents, and the real happiness
which they afforded and which was so
plainly manifested by the recipients was
sufficient compensation for every effort
put forth in preparing for the occasion.
Last of all box of oranges, donated
by Supt. Sans, was distributed, each
child getting a generous snare. Then,
after many hearty thanks, congratula-
tons and good wishes, all dispersed in
their respective ways to enjoy the week
of holiday.
Presbyterian Christmas Tree.
On Christmas eve the people of our
town all congregated at the Presbyterian
church. The large room was crowded TO
its fullest extent, all anxious to witness
the rendition of the Christmas cantata
by the Sunday school children.
The interior of the church was quite
profusely decorated with designs in Flor
ida moss. Directly over the elevated
stage a house gable had been arranged,
all of moss, while around the room on
walls were several appropriate designs in
moss, consisting of harps, Tyre, heart,
etc.
The Christmas tree was on the rostrum,
directly where the lectern generally
stands, and it was decorated with many
vari -colOred paper chains and scores of
handsome presents, while packed be-
meath, on the floor, under the large
branches, were many gifts too heavy or
cumbersome to be attached to the
branches of the tree.
Promptly at o'clock the choir rem
dered the opening anthem, Messiah Is
King" followed by prayer by the pastor.
Then another selection by the choir pre-
coded the cantata.
In the first part of this cantata two
children appear in the wood, Blanche,
the little girl, assumed by little Miss
Mabel Reynolds, is disconnected by being
in the wood at night time, while Harold
her playmate, taken by Master Mark
Brown, assures her that he will take care
of her, etc., when a number of fairies APP