The Butte inter mountain., 1903-12-30
OLD SANTA CLAUS
BLESSES CHILDREN
APPEARS I'M ALL HIS PRISTINE AND
HISTORIC SPLENDoR TO 500
TOTS IN AUDITORIUM
MANY GENEROUS DONATIONS
Associated Charities Aid in Making Fes-
tvaI Success by Number OF
Business Men OF Butte.


during the Christmas holidays and may
appear any moment This was proven to-
day when the Associated Charities held
their Christmas entertainment i'll the Audi
toritim.
Santa Claus was there in all his glory
look at. Judging from the shouts OF JOY
with which the 500 children greeted him
as his head appeared from the little win
dow in the chimney, and moment later
he came out Of the fire place dressed in
regulation Santa Claus furs and cap
The tree was a sight to behold for on its
branches this tree had grown the most
wonderful fruit, consisting of monkeys,
wagons, balls, drums, apples candy
Kitchens, jumping Jacks, fluffy cotton eats
with thread wliskers, tin soldiers, whips
rattlcs, games, blocks. loop-thc-loop,
clowns and dolls in full dress and undrcss
condition; there was numerous other kinds
OF fruit OFT the tree which would have
seemed strangely prolific had it been any
other than the Christmas season.
For Sweet Charity's Sake.
The stage was handsomely decorated by
the noblc-heartcd women who are inter
ested in the children Of those not 50 for.
tunate, III a material sense. as themselves.
on the stage was erected n large chimney,
the bricks OF which had been outlined by
a clever haid In the center and to the
right oi the chimney were the national
eoluts, i'll streahlers falling from a point
near the ceiling 1t this point was a large
transparent star. behind which an electric
light had been placed.
This star was to represent that OF Beth
lehem, as il shone down from the sky OH
the wise men al the East telling Of the
birth Of the Messiah. The effect OF this
upon the children cannot be imagined, as
they seemed overcome with wonder as the
elitefing ligh, flashed out Of the semi
darkness. A little TO the right of the
star stood the Christmas tree in all its
glory OF brilliant electric lights and gilt
terng adoruments,
This tree was a dream OF beauty and
was the handsomcst and most artistically
trimmed tree ever seen outside a private
home IN this city The countless yards
of frosted popcorn had been strung by
the dimpled fingers OF the children Of
those under whose direction the entertain
mcnt was given, and the pretty ornaments
were free offerings from merchants and
yanne men who renenhsro.i ho" d.ar 10
the heart is the memory OF the old-time
Christmas tree at home.
Hidden in the foliage OF the tree were
tiny electric lights. fastened there by
electricians who donated the time and
wiring.
On its branches was the white snow 50
necessary to the artistic effect Of the real
al IL Jp af
gold and silver tnscl which gittered and
danced AS the colorcd lights fell on it.
The whole effect was so thoroughly artistic
and real that the children sat in mute
wonder gazing on lis mysterious appear
ancc and beautiful effect.
The Program.
There was short program which did
not last more than half an hour. ]. X. Rus
sell delighted the children with "A briei but
kindly address, full OF Christmas cheer and
good wishes. Mr.. Russell's address
was followed by figure drill by six pretty
girls appropriately addressed in red, white
and blue, being two of each color.
During the drill the girls each caught up
an end OF the streamer falling from the
ceiling and sang OF the coming OF the
Christ
OF Christ throughout America and at the
close OF the drill the whole audience joined
in singing America. !"
Those in the drill were Misses Brodic
Chestnut, Ina Erickson, Ida Bye. Bertha
Eide, Grace Hubbard, Bessie Bray Mrs.
{. A. McMullen was pianist and had
trained the sextet in the drill and song.
1t was an effective scene and called forth
loud applause from the little ones.
The Great Moment.
Then came rafting on the chimney
which indicated that something was about
10 happen. Every eye was fixed Oh the
hrcplace--but wonder of wonders! Santa
Claus leg was seen to come through the
little window at the top of the chimney.
| Then his head appeared and he nodded
to the happy, shouting children and
cracked few jokes.
In a moment he disappeared and came
out through the fireplace to the joyous
greetings of nearly 500 happy little folks
and to the delight Of the audience who
had gathered to witness the coming of
! dear old Santa.
There were tears in the eyes OF many
a mother as she witnessed the pleasure
THIS given her children and which she
| could not give to them in their own home.
Then the next hour was one of supreme
delight to the little boys and girls as the
precious and longed-for gifts were placed
in their eager hands Every one went
home with a new JOY shining in his and
her face, all happy in having seen real
live Santa Claus and in the spirit of the
Christmas time
Old Santa.
Santa Claus was dressel in an Eskimo
outfit, which consisted of a handsome fur
lined coat, which fell below the knees fur
breeches with long-topped lace boots,
which were also fur-ined, and mittens
which jack frost could not get through,
while on his head was the cap always seen
on Santa Claus. His whiskcrs we're
hecked with the SHOWS of years and we're
in strange contrast to his bright softly
shining eyes
The Christmas tree and entertainment
was great success, and it is owing to the
following that it was so great success /:
Hennessy Mercantile company Symons
company, the Lewis Dry Goods company,
III