New-York tribune., 1901-12-30
RARE GIFTS TO CHILD ACTORS
INSTRUMENTS AND CLOTHING
GIVEN TO MANY.

Four hundred children who earn money by
appearing on the sta ge were entertained last
night at a Christmas festival In Tony Pastors
Theatre and Tammany Hall The programme
included vaudeville performance by a dozen
OF the children, a supper of ice cream and cake
and other good things, three Christmas trees
loaded with toys. and special distribution OF
presents
The festival has been given for sixteen years
by Mrs. E. L. Fernandez, Aunt" Louisa FL
bridge, Mrs. Tony Pastor and a number OF
other women This year the contributions were
exceptionally generous. J. Pierpont Morgan.
Elbridge T. Gerry and William c. Whitney each
sent $780, Mrs Vanderbilt sent $50 and Justice
Morgan J. O'Brien another $50. Abraham Hum
mel sent S4OO. with note to say that $500 of
IT had been contributed by friends. Mrs Tony
Pastor turned in $1,000 as the result OF her
work on behalf OF the festival. Joseph Jeffer-
gave a hundred one dollar bills Mrs
Lynch. the jeweller. sent small diamond ring
for each child who took part In the performance
and two dozen other rings for distribution
Each theatrical manager who had children in
his employ had been asked by the committee to
learn from each child what he or she desired as
a present. AS far possible that wish was
gratified. There were forty-four watches. sew
eral musical instruments fit for use on the
stage. and other expensive gifts in the distribu-
tion room. These special gifts were, however
only for the actors among the children. Those
who are recognized as "supes" had to take their
chances in the general distribution. The pres
ents included forty-one suits of boys clothes.
twenty-three overcoats. eighty-four pairs of
shoes and twenty-three complete outfits for as
many small girls.
The festival proper began at 5 o'clock o. m
But at 2 p m. those children who are known 10
be In poor circumstances were entertained at
dinner and clothed entirely in new suits to At
them for taking part in the festivities OF the
evening
Two of these children were Clara and Birdie
Sergeant. FIVE and seven years old. whose par
ents have both died within the last ten days
The mother. a chorus woman. died in hospital
after an operation in Covington. KY, and the
father was killed by a trolley car in this city
early last week He was member Of a road
company.
In all, seventy-nine children were clothed In
the afternoon.
According to the committee there are 412 child
actors in the United States. There are 173
children to-day appearing on the stage in this
city. Every one OF these children, no matter
in what part OF the country was entitled to
a gift. and some Of the presents will be ex
pressed as far as Oregon.
Among those who took part in the perform
ance were Miss Josephine Schneider. Miss
Martha Spears, Miss Louise Allen, William
Howard. Miss Anita Heckler. Baby" Margery
Miss Flora Russell. Harry LIE Van, Miss Lillian
Lippmann. Miss Muriel Jones and Miss Emily
Pearl. Mr.. Pastor at the close of each per-
formance presented the performer with a dia-
mond ring sent by Mrs. Lynch
In the supper room the women Of the
rnittee acted as walters Among those who
helped Mrs Fernandes and the Misses
Cora Tanner. Beatrice Moreland Ray Allen,
Adora Andrews. Amelia Summerville, Louise
Galloway. Milly Thorne. Minnie Radcliffe Nina
Harrington, Edna Wallace Hopper and Mrs
Pastor.
After the supper the Christmas trees were
stormed, and then there was dance for the
children only