Evening star., 1903-11-21
NV Dear Children:

My Dear Children;
| have just come from your Aunt Doro-
thy. who gave me several messages for
YOU She wanted ne TO thank all those who
have sent Iettars to her with promises of
help for the emergency call and 70 say to
those who intend joining in the work to
hasten their letters so she send direc-
tions where to send their funds-when all
are heard from l know you would all be
pleased if you could see Aunt Dorothy open
your letters. She is as proud of your draw
ings and of your letters as your own par
cnts could be. We Eope that she may soon
be strong enough to go to Mexico and other
countries suitable for convalescence in a
restful climate and then you will have let
te-s from her tl,at will be as interesting as
Your pet story books for Aunt Dorothy"
can write chdreus stories, as you will
know by the time you have read this letter
and found out who Aunt Dorothy is.
You will remember tnIt she told you about
n play which was to be given for the benefit
of the lady in the west for whom we issued
an emergency call for $500 This play is
called Little Red Riding Hood" Mrs.
Jennie Glover of White Plains, n. Y, saw
our call wrote to Aunt Dorothy and asked
whether she might help us. Aunt Dorothy
replied that she would be glad to have her
help her band of children, who help them
selves very well, but who must learn also to
accept help gracousy from others, when it
is graciously offered. Mrs. Glover came to
Washington to see Aunt Dorothy and ar
ranged to give the operetta of Little Red
Riding Hood" by children from our schools,
and ii is to be given at the Lafayette Opera
House about December Is. Mr. LaMotte,
the manager. has kindly given the league
the use of the opera house for expenses of
opening it only. and our little entertainment
will be given from to 6. on two days of the
week. SO all may have the chance to see it.
We have many pleasant surprises in store
to- hf.. tor At,y,t
Othy will he there.
All our little helpers in this work will re-
Ceive membership badges from New York
headGuarters as soon as their names are
enrolled here in Washington. Address Box
-2o5. Washington. d. c.
The new Children's League silver badges
will not he ready for month or two but
the regular badge we have been sending out
Is still being sent and after Aunt Dorothy
tells you that the silver badges are ready
for distribution you may exchange your
other badges at the places she will desig-
nate Next week we will give you our plan
for giving prizes for selling tickets. and also
tell you where to go to get the tickets.
Aunt Dorothy sends her love to each and
all, and her warm thanks for the many
kind letters and messages of interest. She
asked me to tell you this week the secret
that heads this letter She also asked me
to tell you Of her League Circles in various
parts of the world but we have time to
do that today. but can only say that there
are thousands and thousands of members.
and you are all To belong to a great band of
children to be called The Children's Red
Cross League" Your, badges will have a
led cross on a silver star. and the words
"Childrens League will be on the badges
in black letters. in honor of our late Presi-
dent under whose kind auspices the idea
originated. when the Spanish and the
great suffering it caused gave President
Mckinley so much concern. You are all
10 do direct relief work; give your help
where Aunt Dorothy tells you to. through
the press. the churches. the schools and
other avenues open for such work. All
that Is left over from the fund to be raised
for the lady in the west will be devoted to
the Army and Navy Relief Society. just
being organized after Mrs. Gloyer's eX-
penses have been paid. SO try to do your
best to help her dear children. and write
to her in care of The Star, as she needs
your help we'll your names
And now let me tell you another secret
Aunt Dorothy did not tell me | might tell
you. but l know she will not mind She
means to write to You herself next week
and tell you about her Christmas plans
for your happiness, and every name that
comes in this week asking for membership
in the league will be put her Christmas
list for consideration for a gift.
With my love. well as that of Aunt
Dorothy / am. yours sincerely,
FLORENCE BELLE MERRYLEES.
The Children'S Editor.