The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-26
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Advertiser Bureau,
 Muhila Dec. 2o,

A0vertlSef buTedu, Mobile, Dec. %. Charity begins at home, and on this beautiful Christmas day the members of Mobile Lodge, No. los, Benevolent Pro. teetise Order of Elks. practised that charity which, with them, has eyer been a custom and Is so str onely imbsdded in their principles and teachings, For weeks past the lodge, through an emcient com mittee. had been preparing fer teaay from the four orphanages of Mobile were made happy, All of them were given taste of the luxuries of hfe-iuKu iee which had been denied them through loss of those whose duty 1t would have been to provide for their comfort. It would not be in the province Of an ordinary writer to draw pen or word picture of the scene which was presented to the gaze of many spectators, ino.udine all classes and creeds. at 10 o'clock this morning in the spacious lodge room of EIks' Home,
 Seated in chairs around a mammoth and beautifully bedesked Christmas tree were the orphans from homes. as follows: In- dustrial Home for Catholic Orphan Boys, 7s; Episcopal Church Home boys and girls. p; Protestant Home 30 girls and boys; St. Mary's Home, 65 sirs. Thess men. Each chi.d had at his or her feet an immense sack of fruit. nuts and can- dies.
 orchestra. rendering lively music the while, Hon. Jacob D. Bloch, on behalf of the Arrangements Committee and No.' 10S, the Best People on Earth" in brief words, welcomed the little ones to Elks' Home sayirg that he hoped all would enjoy the small offerings of love from the Elks on this. the third. annual distribu- ton to the orphans of Mobile The action of tho Elks. he said, was prompted by love guests as much pleasure and enjoyment as possible.
 on behalf of the orphans, Master Rich ard Ching. . mere lad of boy from the Industrial Home, mounted the rostrum and read the words of a carefully arrang- ed address. These words in poetry. were sang by a sextette from this Home, the other boys swelling the chorus and doing remarkably well. The words were as Fol- We meet again. we meet again.
 This smiling festal throng,
 We come today with sweet delight.
 To greet the Elks with song.
 We come to greet, with accents sweet
 The orphans faithful friends.
 And here today for their delight Our youthful notes we blend.
 Another year with smile and tear. Since last we met, hath flown. The fragrant flower. in summer bower, Hath bloomed again and gone. But time may flee on pinions free, The flower may lose its hue,
 Still Heaven doth send the orphans l friends,
 With warm hearts fond and true. | CHORUS
 Then let the hours be crowned with now-
 Of love and hope and joy;
 Let childhood's voice with thanks rejoice,
 In bliss without alloy. ..s
 Then followed more music, during which
 the committee distributed gifts to the lit- | tie ones. Prior to the coming of the or-
 phans a substantial pair of shoes and two pairs of stockings had been sent to each inmate of the four homes. and the presents included gloves. dolls, toys of all kinds, for the girls, and suspenders, games of all kinds, substantial toys hand kerchiefs and other articles to the boys. To see the faces of the orphans as they sat enjoying the generous gifts of their | ''antlered" friends, was worth far more than the cost of the gifts. for happiness | was upon every countenance and the little ones knew and appreciated the fact that they had staunch friends in the membeEc of No. 10s.
 For an hour after the distribution, the children sat and enjoyed candies and | fruits and then were marched to their
 homes. leaving the large-hearted Elks to feel that they had agaia bui,ded for them- l selves monuments of love in the hearts | of any whose prayers will 20 up to the Grand Exalted Ruler of the Universe for their prosperity and well-being in days
 yet to come The Elks are deserving of congratulation in the success of today's distribution and to nonA more than the