The morning journal-courier., 1907-12-25

eyes almost pop from the heads Of hls audience.
 A whistling solo and song by Brother Frank Hamilton, jr., with the children joining in this chorus also, followed.
 Mr. Anthony L. Koehler, musical dl- rector for the Happy Hooligan act, was the pianist of the afternoon.
 At the cose of this entertainment the distribution of gifts was com monced. First came the letters from l0O children asking for the things they particularly wanted. They were for the most part pathetic beyond any expres- sion that can be given In writing, Think of children eight and nine years old who would rather have shoes than sIeds. or "a bit of coal'' than toys. There were requests for shoes, rupbers' stockings. nittens, turkey and coal beside the numberless toys dear to the hearts of the youngsters, all Of Whlch were answered.
 No one who saw the expressions of joy and gratitude, the looks of speech less admiration bestowed upon the 1 gifts. will ever forget, or ever agaln
 fail to realize how much a little means
 to child. When each child had an'
 swered to his or her name ana nau
 received the asked for gift just as they
 left the stage Brother Henry BreIz- fielder presented bright new 1907 pen
 nv for a. keepsake. There is little
 doubt about his having had more hap
 nv smiles hande dto him to-day than
 he has seen for some time.
 II was 2:SO when the exercises com
 mence6, and at quarter before four the line was formed for the grand march.
 The committee of ladies who nave
 aided the Elks in their venture venture, weIs e
 loaded down with boxes or candy, ana
 there were barrels of oranges attend
 cd to nv the Flks themselves. As the children passed these were distriDut- ed and the children were dismissed . There were some very pttiIui .i. lItlle
 scenes which perhaps nobody but those on inc platform knew anything about as inc little chaps who had on shoes that would hardly hold together whe
 wanted a pair of shoes for his little sister and was dumb when he wal made to understand that he could nave pair and onother for his sister. too Another little fellow was so gratetu for a turkey that had been sent tt
 him in answer to his letter that h' : wasn't going to think of toy for fea
 there might not be enough to go round Il Gle got his toy.) One boy brought th . rope he had for his sled, so in case h T pot the sled he could drag 1t home
 One girl said if she had new stock ' inRs and rubbers If wouldn't matte B About her shoes, cause she could mak f them do long time.
 The child who wanted doll or ' baby carriage and was presented Wlt :, both walked away with tears ot Jo, S are score of just such stories. :. are a score of ust such stories. The Elks have never perhaps live - up to the absolute meaning of thelr or 8 der any more fully than they did yes {. terday. The benevolence of their wor ia well known but has outdone itsel $ this time, and the protection given | IT the needy poor, and the sunshine she . on the meaning of Christmas for thea v little children should bring them q 10 hundredfold happiness at this Yule e tide season. We join that mother s lin saving, God bless the Elks.' Merr S Christmas to them all and may tue y live and prosper to bestOw the kind d ness they expressed a wish to yestei . day-when one of the brothers sai D. 'sIsn't 1t splendid to see the little ono l- enjoy 1t so? Hope there will be twic l. as many next year.
 CuRTgrNIAS AT SACRED HEART