New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-30
OR THE BOAT PEOPLE.
Christmas Tree for Little Ones Of
Coal BargeS-A Unique York.

We are going 70 have Christmas tree tonight
: want you 10 bring that Lt1le boy"
The sneaker was Nile. u. L Lavignette. the
canal boat missionary. and the child was standing
a the door OF q cabin On Of the boats that are
drawn ID three deep On either side OF the pier at
the foot OF Coeltes Slip = rather deaf old boat
man crossed ar intervening boat and came UP TO
the pier where Nile Lavignette was standing with
81 expression OF utter rystihcaton on his weather
bearen face.
we are having & Christmas tree for all the boat
children et the seanea's Mission No. u Coenties
Sip" explained Nile. Lavlguetre. and want that
little child 70 be there. Won't you bring hin?'
Tn sneak 70 ny girl" said the man, laconically.
Ask her 70 come here" said the missionary.
The person thus designated g nice looking young
woman evidently tee child's mother appeared II
e-swer 20 the mans summons Nile. Lav4g1erte
again explained about the tree
Won't you bring the little boy?" she asked
ooazngIy, ard the woman responded auiahly' but
somewhat shyly:
al right"
Then Nile Lavignette spied another child
Who Is th3s little boyT' she asked Then per-
oeivtng that he was a old acquaintance she ex-
claimed, oh you are one OF NY own little boys
and Of course, you are coming TO the Christmas
tree"
The boys father assured her that they were both
going, and Alle. Lavignette hurried or 10 visit
some o. her friends who could not go to the
Christmas festival taking Bible TO one some dell
cacies to another, and all the most cordial
Christmas greetings. II most cases she was able
70 walk over the tops OF the boats and step from
one TO another. but one that she particularly
wanted 20 get onto Urnoored and riding so
nigh II the water that the case seemed hopeless.
Some boatnen saw the dilemma, and came for
ward with ladder which Mile Lavtgnerre ascended
Ike & squirrel. though 1t heaved with every mo-
ton OF the Unrnoored boat.
i an such a bother" the missionary apoIogized.
Is she poised herself OF the TOP Of the boat she
wished Jo visit, but It was evident from the ex-
pressons o. the raen that the bother was
they were very glad 10 be put to.
The boat people are said 10 De distant and difficult
70 approach but Nile. Lavignette IS persona grata
with them. and though she never wants for an IN
reduction. her advances are never resented
And incrOducrions would De difficult TO obtain. for
the boat people not only CO net know the peTIna-
rent residents OF the city, but are unacQua4nted
with one another. They are here to-day and gone
to-uaorrow and though they tie Up here for con-
siderable length OF time In winter they have little
Intercourse with one another. Two boats may lie
gde by side IN TIE slip yet their occupants may
know as Little Of one another as Il the world d.
15ded them In their cabins which seem hardly
bigger than good sized drygOods boxes. though
they are more coanodious than they look, and
most ingeniouEly arranged as regards the uuAza-
Ton OF space, they live forgotten ~ the WoFId
The churches have cOctrtvec 10 overlook them 1oF
the most part and except for the work OF the
Protestant Episcopal Missionary Society for Sea-
men very little attention had been paid 10 them
Until 1LIIe. Lawg1ette began TO visit them as &
I
cteIv e couple Of years ago.
WITH all TIC good times prepared for al sorts
ana conCltious OF men every Christmas time II Is
wears since the children Of the canal boats have
lad one, and EoLae Of the lttIs g4Ts ola not even
Know what q doll was I'll Nile LAv1gnetts gave
them one last Christmas.
Santa Clans does nor altogether forget the canal
ooatE for many Os the families e[s quite prosper
Gus enough 70 secure his good Offices but e Dig
Christmas tree. gftrertng with cnsel and candles
Is evidently Impossible in such limited quarters.
end therefore the festival n COeaties Slip was a
great occasion
Il took place under the auspices Of the 6eamen's
Mission. and the gifts end decorations were sup
piled by the Church OF the Epiphany St Michaels,
the Incarnation, IN brooklyn, and q band OF little
iris Lnder the direction OF Mrs G, Z. Copper, VINO
contributed some useful garments that they had
made themselves. Mrs Copper and Master NUT az
syler worked hard al the afternoon helping MEG
eraOiseIIe 70 decorate the tree, and & bounurul
supply Of cake Yves provided by the hOUsekeepers OF
the canal boats the corree and 0ths- refreshments
being supplied BY tbs mission
LJrfortunstely a good many OF the children were
- with colds. ard could net come. but there were
enough grown people 10 take their places, srd they
enjoyed TIE affair just much es the little foIk
The Rev. 4 z Montgomery. OF the Seamen,s
Mission presided during q short programme OF
rotations and Christmas carols and then the gifts
were distributed and refres hnents served