The Springfield herald., 1904-01-01
DEPOT SANTA CLAUS
UNIQUE FAMILY CElE3EATlCE

lmproViScd Christmas re" at De''SSr
Union Depot-Many Travellers Join
in Giving Children Away From
Home Good Time.
Half way between their old home
and their new home one Drrin Pitten-
ger and his family at the Union depot
held the first Christmas celebration
that has taken place in Denver this
year, says the Denver News of Decem-
ber gath There was Christmas
tree, music and gifts Many of the
people who were waiting for trains
cooperated and the holiday spirit was
so strong that the policeman declared
1t seemed like Christmas.
Pittenger is ranchman. who has
made home in the Big Horn basin,
Wyoming. For three years he has
delved and toiled to make the wilder
ness a suitable habitation for his fam
lily. December LIST last, he made up
his mind that his wife and children
should spend Christmas in their new
home which they had never seen. He
drove 1870 miles to Cody and went
from thence to Xenia, Ohio. The
household goods were packed hastily
and yesterday morning the Pittengers
arrived In Denver They might have
coin, but they did not become aware
CT this in time to avail themselves OF
the advantage.
When they alighted from the train
yesterday and saw the snowstorm the
mother of the family at once thought
of Christmas and she began asking
her husband il they would reach home
by day after tomorrow. a brief COM
putation showed them they would not
be able to get to their cabin in time
for the celebration. Pittenger noticed
his wifes downcast countenance and
suggested that they celebrate Christ
mas there and then.
The first step was to get good
MONDAY meal. Then. while Mrs. Pit
tenger cared for the children the hus-
band went up town. When he re-
turned he lodged around through side
entrances to prevent the little ones
from seeing the small Christmas tree
and the numerous packages he mad
brought with him.
A railroad porter was placed on
watch over them while Pittenger eX-
planned his plan to his wife. He de-
coyed the children to the womens
waiting room while Mrs. Pittenger ar
ranged in one corner of another room
the Christmas tree. Every one except
the children who were to be the benefi-
ciaries soon knew what was going on.
A stout man brought some fruit. be-
nevolent appearing old woman con
tributed some candy apples. Porters
were kept busy by the passengers who
sent them to buy gifts for the Christ
mas tree.
When the wonderful little tree was
ready at last for the inspection of the
three children 1t was loaded down
,, with presents, for on it were gifts for
about twenty adults besides the
things for the Pittengers.
All who were concerned in the cele-
braton assembled about the tree and
chanted Christmas hymn. after
which the gifts were distributed.
While the gifts were being distrib-
uted some one noticed a woman whose
appearance proclaimed her foreigner.
| She had three-year-old child with
| her, and both looked longingly at the
| merry group about the tree. She was
invited to join, but she did not under
stand until two women took her by
| the arm and led her to the tree
| where presents were found both for
her and her little one. The woman
was Bohemian. and when an inter
prefer was brought it was found that
she knew what 1ne celebration meant,
and she was thinking of the fcstivi-
ties in her own land.
The affair was success in every
particular and cid much to tighten
the hearts Of not only the members of
the family who originated ii. but of n
score of other travellers.