New-York tribune., 1902-01-05
GIFTS FOR HUNDREDS.
LITTLE MOTHERS " CHRISTMAS FEST1-
VAL. A GREAT SUCCESS.

Six hundred and ninety-eight Little Mothers
assembled in one room! That was the showing
made yesterday at the Christmas festival given
by the Little Mothers Aid Association to their
small protesees in Webster Hall. East Eleventh-st
To nearly every child there 1t Christmas
Day. to all intents. Beated though il was how
ever. il meant 10 all the day or the year IN "hlch
life seemed worth living
This particular festival exceeded all others III
the history of the association in its varied features
Never before there many bags, for in
stance and there was Little Mother to belong
to every bag except in cases where the chill
dren were not able The celebration was
held I'm the large hall for the first time. which
accommodated several hundred more than the
lower hall. Along the side and part Of one end
tables piled high with bags of every kind
There bags pladed and striped. plain and
lowered, but all bags satisfactorily alike as
regarded their contents From each peeped n beau
tiful dolls head. and inside were pair of stock
ings. pair of rnittens an article of warm under
wear. a toy and a bag of candy. Could any Little
Mother ask for more generous stocking? For
these bags take the place of stockings, it must be
remembered In this festival to the little ones who
know nothing of the Christmas stocking and It's
possible delights
The platform was thing of JOY to the children
who thought it the most beautiful platform in the
world with its stage setting of drawing room.
whose crimson portieres made an artistic back
ground for the prettiy decorated trees The trees
would have been sadly inadequate for holding the
tide touch
Many Of the Little Mothers had brought their
tiny charges with them, and all sat with beaming
faces, waiting patiently for what was to come.
Meanwhile they chatted together or to any one who
encouraged their prattle It seemed as If no one
with any tenderness in his heart could look at
those hundreds of children realizing the conditions
in which they live, without longing to do some
thing for them. either in or out of the Aid Asso-
citation
-l, do
not have food more than two or three times a
week in their homes" said Mrs S. s. Packard, a
member of the association. Those children are
wonderful They never complain. They never
say they hungry that their fathers are
drunk and beat them. We would never know their
sufrerings If we did not look them up"
A funny bit of conversation overheard ran thus:
Il got doll last Christmas. and its pretty good
yet. I'm going to give 1t to Mary, cause she'll
like to take II to bed. She's afraid to go alone"
The second little mother responded: There's a
little girl lives downstairs below us-but she amt
a little girl; she's a boy-and she won't to bed
without her doll that her sister got last Christ
mas
The programme of entertainment was elaborate
and afforded deep satisfaction. Mrs. George Tug
not, Of their favorites, reced funny little
selections initiating chidren's reCtations. Mrs.
Camille BirnLohm Mrs Mabel Mckinley Baer and
! Miss Opholia Driessman sang; Mrs. Kniboe
whisted; Norma Meyer played flute solos, and little
Edna Cutaier danced and recited to the perfect
satisfaction Of her audience. The sewing classes
Of Happy Day Home and the South Ferry Branch
gave action songs. looking neat and housewifely
In caps and aprons
Mrs. Hattie Harms chairman of the enter
tainmeut committee.
After the programme ice cream and cake were
served
Mrs. Clarence Burns chairman of the festival
committee. said that tho gifts this year were
traordinarily liberal Many of the large
trihutors were T. :. :. members. individually and
in branches. Mrs. Henry SiegeI gave $50 Mrs
&. +. SpraEue contributed hundred dolls, and
Mrs. Joseph Greenleaf a T. s. s. member. gave
two hundred. The sewing circle Of White Plains
sent hfty-eight bags filed. Mrs. George Perkins
Lawton, president OF the Saratoga branch Of the
T. 5 s: Mrs. John Stanton. Mrs. W. W. Jeffreys
and Mrs. Cornelius Mclean liberal contrib