The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-12-29

THURSDAY MORNING. DECEMBER
u...sus.usuzu.zuzuzausuzzzzEza4asE
! birthday. He showed the significance
! of The day from that standpoint OF the
| human quality that prompts me cele
| bration OF the anniversary OF ne, re
concluded amid an applause that was
mixed for the worth OF the talk and
admiration for the man.
The StercOptican.
The children rubbed their eyes.
There was a flash of light running
through the darkened hall like rib
bon Of white fire. Suddenly on the
| big screen came the first of the pic
| lures of Alice in Wonderland. Tie
shout which went up from three hun
dred childish Threats at the simple
sight showed both the need and the
beauty of the evening. The stsreop-
tican vas a new thing! The audi2ncc
went wild with delight. They clap
ped and applauded until Professor
HAYES winked his machine. Then Pro-
lessor Moses explained. When he was
through another picture was flashed
to view. another and another. The
moments flew. The crowded floor was
in an uproar of cheers and laughter.
Things were swimming along. The
blank wall of the curtain was forgot
ten in the joy Of the moment the
might before Christmas" was a
prophecy. For suddenly the curtain
went up.
Memorable Scene.
The scene that ensued was one
which will not be forgotten by any
who were fortunate enough to witness
liz 1t was thing to swell the heart
AS the Christmas tree with its ropes
OF silver, it's balls Of red and blue and
green came into sight, as the eXpectant
throng caught a glimpse of the riles
of gifts arranged conveniently about
the stage. there went up q childish
cheer that ran along the spine and
Threatened the eyes. Small hands
clapped ecstatically and small feet APP
plaaded to the echo. On the stage
amid the gifts were Col. ODDS Sun
beams" boys and girls who get their
play in doing good deeds. each with q
silver $ on their breasts, awaiting like
drilled soldiers the avalanche of gift
seekers. The word was given and the
stream started on its course down the
aisles from section A of the hall. They
flowed up in a line that looked as
though it had no ending, as though It
would overflow the sunbeams and all
their helpers. Il was a busy time
The children who were big enough to
take care of themselves went alone in
doors; the smaller ones went TO the
stage with their mothers. some of them
in arms. The toys had been fitted to
the guests. They were appropriately
selected There were enough for all
or the right sort. Each child receiV-
ed fresh candy specially prepared by
Royster, the girls got dolls, the bigger
81
and the little girls wagons and toys
of every description and each child re
ceivAd rs it left The stage a large round
apple i'm addition to its plethora OF
gifts The Sunbeams worked like Tro-
gans. They were quick aud Watchful.
AS a child approached he or she was
spotted and sized up" for the kind Of
gift 1t was incredible how quickly
the hundred and nnetys children OF
section A were served.
Gift to Mr.. Stephenson.
At the conclsion of Section A.. the
Sunbcams rested for a moment from
their labor while Col Odds sprung a
surprise by appropriately presenting
to Mr. Stephenson an impromptu
purse of $40 as Il Christmas present
which had been contributed by q
number of his friends i'm the hall in
appreciation of his work for the as
sociiirdon.
Afterwards Section B. was served
in similar style and by half past nine
O'Clock the last child had departed
laden with his gifts and happy in his
heart.
Reason of Good Clothes.
1t was the comment of the evening
that the people in attendance did not
look ike the poor. The explanation
lies in the fact that the work of the
Society has been so systematized that
it has done away with rags. Presi-
dent Thompson explained this by say
ing that the people We're taking SO
great an interest that the work, for
the year had cost scarcely more than
$4,000. The people generally who
have given clothes, shoes and other
necessities have made this possible
and are also responsible for the we'll
kept look Of those who attended last
evenings entertainment. Having
clothed their charges. the Associated
Charities had proceeded to give them
a good time. That pleasure was the
motif of the night robbed the charity
of it's obligation and gave an added
beauty to the scene.
Tie Decorations.
The hall was beautifully decorated
with wreathes and ropes of holly,
which were given and installed by the
fuckers Grove Chapel in which Col.
Olds takes a great interest. Many of
the members of this church came to
Raleigh in spite of the weather and
their interest was much appreciated.
In the boxes We're the principals of
the three schools and a number 80
invited clergymen of the city. and on
the stage Miss Fannie Heck had gem
eral charge of the distribution.
IN
a magnificent success, marking an
epoch in the charitable history of the
city.