The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-26
CHRISTMAS JOY
IS BROUGHT To
MERRY HEARTS

Skating and coasting made yesterday
Christmas day which will be remembered
by the children as one of the real old.
fashioned kind. After day spent In
feasting at family reunions. snow began
70 fall, accompanied by just enough wind
10 necessitate the turning up OF collars.
IL grew colder and the difference In the
temperature and the blizzard-like energy
of the storm rapidly decimated the crowds
on the streets 80 that the main thorough
fares soon bore an appearance much diff
ferent from that of the preceding even
ings.
Elaborate musical programs were pro-
viGed at the city churches, especially the
Roman Catholic and Episcopal 'for the
morning service and at each the exercises
were attended by large congregations
The poor OF the city were provided for
as well, IL not better, than in past years.
The Salvation Army gave its annual
Christmas feast 20 hundreds OF needy chill
dren In addition TO distributing a large
number OF baskets containing food from
the regular Weybosset street headquar-
ters.
Many OF the city's poor were also cared
for under the personal direction OF Over
seer OF the Poor Cummings.
The various departments OF tho state
institutions at Howard provided fitting
programs Cor the day: and the day was
observed with something OF that cheer
which could not but help make some OF
the inmates feel that they were quite at
hcme.
At the state home and school a concert,
followed by a Christmas tree served 10
gladden. the hearts OF the little ones. At
the close OF the concert w. A. Crandell.
secretary OF the board, presented steel
engraving OF Priscilla the Pilgrim Maid"
to the girls cottage
At the Dexter asylum q tree was pro-
vided for the children and younger In
mates yesterday afternoon.
At the home for aged men and the home
for aged women special dinners were
served. while at the latter-named institu-
ton an entertainment was given In the
afternoon.
At St. Eizabeth's home turkey din
ner was given TO the invalids and at tn.
st. Vincent de Paul orphan asylum the
children had a tree early in the morning
At the Union house. IS Chestnut street
good cheer was dispensed from to
10 D. m. and all were made welcome
AT the Working Boys home on Park
street, Mr.. Wallace provided a substantial
dinner for 40 OF his charges. Those who
had friends to visit did 80 In the after
noon. The others were given spending
money that they might top of the day
as they pleased down town.
~
inmates OF the Providence colcred shelter.
The st. Vincent de Paul society OF St.
Joseph's church. following a custom estab-
lished several years ago, sent out turkey
dinners TO deserving families.
At the state sanitorium the patients
were regaled with an exceptionally fine
dinner at noon and last evening two
Christmas trees relieved OF presents sent
by relatives and friends.
On account OF the prevalence OF scarlet
fever, the Junior department OF the Y.
w. c. A. did not have its customary tree
yesterday Instead about 10 gifts wer.
distributed The BUSY Workers" club
OF 20 girls. from 12 TO 13 years OF age
dressed two dolls, one of which was sem
| 10 the Rhode Island hospital and the other
TO ST. Joseph's hospital. Mrs. Howard
Gray and Miss Emily Waterman have
charge OF this department. All the board
ers at the home were served with turkey
dinners.
At the Union Gospel mission at 200 Eddy
street under the direction OF Supertn.
tendent Henry #. Kelly, from II a m. to
2 p. m. homeless men were served with
hot beef stew. bread and butter. dough
nuts and coffee and apples. The Christ
mas tree for boys and girls will be set uI
on New Years evening.
Although skating was not advertised
about 800 took advantage OF the thin cry
stal now covering the park lakes and en-
jcyed few hours OF that sport on the
large lake in front OF the casino.
The theatres ~ usual, attracted i'm
mense throngs, and at each playhouse
capacity audiences were the rule. excel.
lent and diversified programs having beer
provided for by the respective manage