The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1906-12-29
TOYS FOR TEN THOUSAND.
Santa Claus Visits the Poor Children of
New orleans-The Times Democrats
Tenth Annual Doll and Toy
Distribution a Success.

the hours Of 10 a. N. and p. m, on th,
: occasion of the annual distribution o
Christmas presents at the hands of tn,
Times Democrat doll and toy fund.
: Long before the hour announced fol
the distribution anxious faces begar
to appear before the doors OF the ar
mory, and when at last they wers
opened so admit the eager throng O.
children, it was food of the sunshine
of childhood which burst upon the in
terror OF the dark building where
| froWned the gaping mouths Of cannon
and gattling guns. These Instrument
of war, however, had beea partially
hidden behind parapet of thick paper
SO that those who came to receive the
gifts of the Yuletide saw nothing but
a line of bright objects dangling from
q wire on the right of the entrance,
and the smiling face of Santa Claus to
greet them.
OF all nationalities they were; sons
and daughters of sunny Italy, with
olive compilations and big black eyes;
/ Saxons, with fiaxen hair and eyes of
blue; Americans, with eyes that were
gray and dark and blue. It was a
cosmopolitan gathering in the strict
sense OF the word, yet good-natured,
smiling and happy. The children were
united in celebration of Christmas
eve, when the heart of every child is
filed with anticipation of Whatthe
joyous day might bring.
Of all ages, too, the throng came
tripping along. There were brothers
leading smaller brothers and sisters
Juggling smaller sisters. Mothers and
grandmothers carried babies and small
tots, the latter eager to get their first
glimpse of the mysterious being who
sat upon the dais in the shadow OF the
big Christmas tree.
For half block up and half block
down st. Charles street the crowd of
children pushed and jostled and
scrambled and made fun for five
| hours. During that time they came
and received their toys, while their
places were quickly filled by late
| comers.
The whole block in St. Charles street,
between Julia and Girod, was filed
with sunshine brighter than the light
| which beamed from the genial sky. No
fairer day ever dawned upon a Christ
mas eve, no happier children ever as
sembled to catch glimpse of the good
st. Nicholas.
To many old Kris Kring1e appeared
for the first time. Stories of his good
ness the little ones had heard from
time to time, yet it was their first real
meeting with that being who was to
shed happiness upon them by his bright
smile and the bestowal of q gift. He
proved good patron, too, for none
came but were showered with rich
gifts and with the blessing of a pros
porous year.
The bells of gladness rang in the
hearts OF at least ten thousand chill
dren. From every quarter of the city
they came, beaming with anticipation,
eager for the pleasure which they
knew awaited them somewhere in the
recesses of the big building, and when
at last they got q glimpse of the inte-
rior, it was all they could do to retain
their mirth. IF they did not shout
from sheer JOY it was not because they
did not feel like it. The pent-up emo
tion OF their little souls showed itself
in dancing eyes and lips which trem-
bled with joyous excitement.
However jubilant might have been
the feelings Of those who were to get
something from Santa Claus, the COM
mittee Of men who handed out the good
things exhibited the same cheerfulness
by being put in a position to serve
those to whom the occasion meant a
moment of great happiness. They, too,
had been young once, and as in the
days of long ago, they felt something
OF the same Joy. There was bond
between the givers and those who re-
ceived, for charity knows no age or
class or condition. The lowly were
high, the poor were rich, and all were
happy.
The crippled children were IN the
hands of a special committee, who saw
that they were well provided for. They
were assigned special place in the
| waiting line, and were cared for with
greater solicitation than those who
took pleasure in showing and pushing
for good places in the anxious throng.
The we'll and hardy were being cared
for, but at the same time good fairy
Ilurked along the line with a gift for
the most deserving of the lot. Months
ago she thought of it, and made plans
accordingly.
Miss Constance Baker, daughter OF
the chairman of the committee, played
| the part OF the good fairy, and the one
she made happy was poor afflicted
girl. Miss Baker has taken special
interest in the distri button of Christ
mas presents among the poor through
| out the entire ten years history OF
| the doll and toy fund, and has each
| year made with her own hands the
| clothes for a doll to be presented to.
some especially worthy child. This