The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1903-01-01
home there and know they will be glad to

home there and l know they will be glad to
| see me.
Surely the money which helps me 60 to
| tnem Is truly "well won" and can cOnslder
myselI. what it has been my nappy IaIe u
De so far, a loving hearted, truly phllan-
| thrOpic doll.
The doll had arrived, and occupied
place of honor In front of the Christmas
tree. She is haxen haired beauty, dainti-
ly gowned in pink silk muslin.
In answer to a violent ringing OF the
door-bell the smallest girl was sent to let in
the newcomer, who proved to be none
| other than Santa Claus himself The chill
dren were overcome with merriment at his
| appearance and gleefully followed him into
the receptiOn-rOom, where the heavily laden
tree met their expectant gaze. The dis
tributing OF presents, with frequent side
remarks by Kris Kringle, was enjoyed al
most as much by the spectators as by the
recipients, who, when only the ornaments
were left on the swaying green branches,
retired to the play-room to examine their
presents. Thither they were followed by a
few of the guests, and their joy over the
simple little gifts received was an object les
son not soon to be forgotten. 1t was the
first Christmas for at least two of the little
ones, and their delight in their new possess
sons was pathetic. The care taken by each
and every one of their new possessions was
remarkable, for after examination each
article was folded replaced in its paper,
and tied up. The dolls apparently demand
ed the immediate and undivided attention
of their small mothers, who examined each
article of clothing and compared notes.
While they were thus happily engaged
Mrs. E. P. Frost sang pretty and appro-
pirate solo. Mrs. E. S. Pitcher was to have
sung, and was present, but cold prevented
her from singing. Mrs. S. A. Parker, and
Miss Katherine C. Quimby, who were to
have taken part, were unable to be present.
A pleasant feature of the evening was the
opening of package from the tree, labeled
ssFor the Girls Home" On examination it
proved to contain five silver dollars,
'Wheels to help along the piano fund.-" as
their donor, Mrs. E. P. Frost, gracefully ex-
pressed it. Another feature OF interest
was the neatly and dainty made gifts for
Mrs. Maynard from the oldest girl in the
Home.
Mrs. Maynard informed the company that
Mrs. Thos. f. Shea, whose generosity and
thoughtfulness for the Home and its in
mates are well known and so highly appre-
ciated, had provided a complete Christmas
dinner, including chicken, vegetables, nuts,
raisins and fruit, not omitting ice cream
from Healey's.
Following is list of the contributions
for Christmas at the Home, and if the
donors could have witnessed the joy of the
ten children who benefited by their thought
fulness, they would have been amply re-
pail:
Writing tablets and pencils from Miss
Lucy Palmer two pairs of rubber boots
and one dozen handkerchiefs from Mrs.
Sanford II. Mathews; mounted pictures
for each girl from 'Aunt LiZzie'' Pond two
boxes of clothing, books, toys, etc, from
the ladies of the First Unitarian Church,
Watervile; large box of nuts from Miss
Annie Bean; oranges from Miss Carrie
White; box of assorted candies from Thos.
Cannon & Son; box containing dolls, books,
games, handkerchiefs and fur collar from
Misses Anna and Amy Witherlee, Castne :;
hair ribbon for each girl from Miss Maud
Barker; IS for the piano fund and half a
dozen pairs of hose from Mrs. E. p. Frost !;
So for the piano fund from Mrs. J. w. Fred
erick; handkerchefs from Miss Esther
Frye; package of games and books from
Harold Ryder, Thomaston, brought by the
kindness of Mrs. S. r. Crawford; 81 from
Mrs Walter Getchell of Waterville; a box
of handkerchiefs, pictures, tablets and pen
ellis from Mrs. Sails, Bucksport; large
doll to be kept for the Home, also under
clothing, shoes, mounted photographs, cards,
dolls, ETC., from the ladies of the Unitarian
Church, Saco, by the kindness of Miss NJ.
W. Fairfield; from the Congregational Sun
day School, and club of little girls in Wa
terville, through the kindness of Miss Har-
riet NJ. Parmenter, a pretty hood for each
girl, and DOLL candy, etc, for little Abble
Richards, who is their special care.