New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-03
THEIR ONE FESTIVAL.
Old Folks of the AlmshOuse Are
Young again for One afternoon.

do you think that woman ever smiled" said a
visitor at the city almshouse, on BackwelIs ISL
and, on Monday afternoon.
mo; I don't think she could" replied thu woman
TO whom the remark was addressed. a charitable
worker. who knew more Of the alunshoGse people
than tho first speaker.
The occasion holiday entertainment given
by the Hurtg & Seamon company for the inmates
OF the city almhouse. and the woman under discus
zion sitting with unmoved countenance amid
general hilarity. But presently she began SMILE
and then she laughed: next she applauded and
kept time with her feet to the music. and last
she could sit still no longer. and rose TO her feet
to get a better view Of the diverting performance
taking place on tina stage
Its the best time ever had in my life" she
said. with sigh OF satisfaction as the entertain
departing.
1.-THE best time we ever had said the players
"and We viii certainly come again
Some OF the old women refused to stir from
their seats when the performance over.
I'VE want to hear it all over again." they said'
and Wen have something to talk about all the
year" said others.
There who could not go to the enter
tainment. 1t was a stormy day. and the inyalids
could not so out, while the blind people knew that
IL would be useless for them TO go. So. after the
performance. the entertainers visited the blind
ward and Miss Harriet Jones said:
IF some one will play for me will sing"
and Miss Jones began 10 sing. As the unwonted
sounds hoated through the ward the listIess faces
frightened, and one old woman exclaimed 10 Il
companion:
Were living yet. Della. We're not buried
Next the visitors went to the chronic invalds.
and here the patients begged for some music. too.
IL was now late, and the entertainers were anxious
to catch the . o'clock boat. which would barely
give them time TO their dinners and get tho
theatre. But the director of the orchestra could
not bear To refuse the request, and late as
he would have stayed for the next boat and run
the chances OF getting dinner II by mis- time the
others had not started for the wharf So he re-
luctantly followed. and he took his seat in the
boat he said:
This has spoiled the DAY.
Yes, II has spoiled the day" echoed the others
reached NCw-Hork
The history of this little festival Is an interest
ing one. FOR several years Of the members
OF the Flower Mission has been trying TO brighten
the lives OF the people in the aImShos es. and
year she was enabled, with the ass istance or I.
nephew who has some influence in the theatrical
world 10 secure the services the Hurtia * Se1t-
mon company FOR 4 holiday entertainment shortly
after she was obliged To 30 EurgDe for her
IF do not come back will You arrange n
Christmas entertainment In my memory for my
friends In the almShouSes?'
The young man promised that he would and
when not long ago his aunt came home restored
TO health he declared that tho PROMISE still held
good, ana the entertainment was given n
thank oHerng. instead Of n memorial
The entertainers not emily gaze their services for
the occasion. but most of the musicians gave up
a whole afternoons lessons Mr.. HurtIc accom-
panied the party.