The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-26
.ELKS MAKE HAPPY
 MANY CHILDREN Beautiful Christmas Tree in
 New Home Fnn nAsattA nrnns . EtHFnF
300 YOUNG PEOPLE THERE
Useful Presents Are Given to the Boys and Girls-Many Exclamatlons of Delight Show Pleasure
 of Children.

The hearts of over 500 children were made glad yesterday afternoon at the Christmas tree of the Birmingham lodge, No 7o E. P o. D., given at their home on the corner of Eighth avenue and Ninteenth street.
 Every child bearing one of the cards distributed so freely by the Elks was given a useful present and the happy faces of the throng which left home was the best evidence e the joy in their hearts.
 Long before the hour for the doors to be open the children gathered around the gates, and interspersed among them were large numbers of grown people. att tracted to the place to witness the scene, the like of which has rarely been in any city, and 1t is safe to say it was never witnessed before in Birmingham.
 The hall of the Elks was decorated with holly, cedar and mistletoe and long aisles were made le11ing from the door around the tree and back again to the other door, in order that the children might pass around the tree, see it on every side receive their present and pass out without causing any confusion and delay.
 In one end of the hall was a large Christmas tree loaded with presents of every description. the large majority of which were useful and will be an aid to the children receiving them. For the boys there was cap, a pair of gloves, or some similar useful article of wearing apparel, while the girls received a hat or something else which would be of service until the Christmas tree of 1903.
 There were also immense quantities of fruits, nuts and candies. This was given to the children and each went away happy and contented. When the doors were opened the children crowded for warded, but a rush was prevented and they were made to go a few at a time through the door and around the tree. Their exclamations of delight at the sight which greeted their eyes was sui ficient reward to the Elks for their work. had the look on the childrens faces not been added to show the gratitude they felt in their hearts.
 Many of the children from the char itable organizations of the city were pres Cill, diiOIS lutAl DGliS d large uuiibtE from the Mercy Home. Each of these was especially remembered by the Elks, as were the inmates of other charitable or ganzations.
 Many of the children who attended the Elks' Christmas tree came directly from the Salvation Army dinner, and those who were not too happy to express their feelings said that they had never spent twenty-four hours which was so frought with good times, and during which they had received so many good things.
 Yesterday was the first time the new quarters of the Elks have been thrown open to the public. Many people passed through the building and went into every room. The entire house has been fitted up handsomely, especially the four rooms OH the lower floor, which can all be thrown into one large room when necessary. On the second floor there are two billia, d rooms and small lounging room for the members as well as the room of Secre- tary Afford, who lives in the nome.