The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-26
JOY FOR THE MANNED
CHRISTMAS WAS APPROPRIATELY
sOBsERNEDsI IN THE CRIPPLED
CHILDREN'S WARD
WALLS WERE BRIGHT AND GAY
Many lmases Made or Bought
Presents Which They Cave to
Their Doctors or At
PENDANTS.

In no homeEiISthe city was there more
joy manifested yesterday morning than
in the crippled childrens ward of the
city hospital Very early the fifty little
pairs of yes Began to peer eagerly for
traces of Santa, Claus. All that met their
gaze was a large white curtain hung
across ore end of the hail, but this was
not entirely satisfactory, as the little
Gnes knew there was something good hid
den behind the screen.
All were anxious to get out of bed at
oncest seeswhat Santa Claus had left
them. but they were obliged to follow
the usual order, and 1t was but short
time until they were all neatly arrayed
in their best, waiting with childish impa-
thence for the time to arrive for which
they had waited so long. Each little cot
was made Up, in it's whiteness, and the
ward fairly shone with cleanliness and
order -
The more fortunate inmates who had
friends were presented with new suits
and froeks on arising, and their happI-
ness was a pleasure to behold. In some
stockings were found toys, dolls and
other articles Sent in by relatives, and
the display of these helped materially to
while away the time until the curtain
would be drawn.
The ward that ordinarily bears some
imprint of the suffering Of helpless child
hood was bright and CHEEKY in the deco
rations that had been arranged on the
walls Evergreen was twined abundantly,
and wreathS- of Christmas holly We're to
be found everywhere.
Judge Mahoney,- who is the legal guar
dian of these wards of the state arrived
bright and early. The larger children
from the ward were placed on the stair
way, or, if incapable OF being UP, 1thelr
cots were arranged so that they might
see all that happened. Chairs We're ar
ranged in front of the curtain, and the
smaller children given front seats. Vlsl-
tors filed up the rear.
At asignal the curtain was drawn, and
the children began Christmas carol,
which rose from their young threats with
such Joy that ttfwas hard to believe that
they were among the most unfortunate
Of the earth. ~
Two: Big christmas Trees.
The withdrawal of the curtain revealed
two large Christmas trees, one In each
corner of the front part of the ward. On
the walls were various pictures of Santa
Claus and This, TENDERS. 1t was the
presents that occupied all the thoughts
of the little ones, and there was so be-
wildering an array of them that little
minds could not decide which was TO
be preferred. ..ds
The doll house was hardly recognizable
with its renoyation, and it was filled 20
OVERLOOKING with guests There were
dolls there for each little miss that cared
to have one, and besides there was doll
/ wearing apparel, trunks, in fact every
thing that properly goes with a doll
For the boys there were soldiers, whis-
ties, drums, books and long list c1
articles that bring happiness to the boy
ish hearts, Books had been provided for
the elder inmates, while the younger
ones were presented with many kinds of
sweets and goodies.
In the center of the stage was new
bed, mounted on pneumatic tire wheels,
that will permit of its being rolled into
the sunshine with ease as far as the in
mate is concerned. Miss Edwards, VINO
has charge Of the ward, worked out the
idea, and some of the Christmas money
was devoted to its construction.
DR.. LaRose enacted the role of Santa
Claus, and was assisted in the distribu-
ton of gifts by Miss Edwards, Mrs.
Campbell, superintendent of nurses, and
Frances Boardman who teaches the 1T
tie ones.
Some Of the children had with their
own hands prepared presents or bought
them for DR.. Gillette, Judge Mahonky,
DR.. Ancker and Miss Boardman, and
they evinced as much pleasure in giving
presents as they did in receiving them.
sEHheasthe presents had all been distrlp&
uted the children were summoned to a
sfo.hrfstmas dinner that had been prepared
for them according to their state, and
here agamNthey had renewal of the
joy of surprise, and, all in all, the day
was spent in merry manner in the
crippled cfldfdren's ward