Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-25

The large hall was profusely decorated
with cedar, huI In festoons ;tbout the
great chandelier S of electric Ii ghts ant
on the walls and ceiling. The s. age was
concealed FROM view by a large curtain
and prior to its ascent the hospital or
chestra rendered. musical program.
Following the seating of the male and
female inmates and their attendants the
lights in the hall were lowered. the large
curtain was raised and there was exposed
TO view a cedar rec, twenty-one feet in
height, illuminated by 80 vari-coloreo
electric bulbs and Dazzling in its dress OF
tinsel and finery. AT the same moment
the sound of sleigh bells was heard and
in few moments portly Santa Claus
appeared and gave the finishing touches
to the work of dCcor5 ton. His appear
ance was the signal for an outburst of
applause. The role of Santa was filled
by Mr.. Charles ]. Blrch. one of the hos
pital supervisors, who gave an admirable
portrayal of the good old saint.
The exhibition of tle Christmas tree
was followed by dance nthe hall, at
which the patients and others amused
themselves for several hours. The gifts
for the patients provided by the 1nstltu-
ton and consisting of articles OF clothing
and the presents from their friends were
today distributed to those for whom they
were intended from the respective wards
of the asylum.
Decorations Were General.
Decorations of cedar were general
throughout the buildings of the asylum in
commemoration of the season. Small
Christmas trees were prepared for the
amusement of the patients ia buildings
3. X, L, NJ. Toner and Oaks These trees
were prettily decorated, and there was
enough sentiment in their prepal ration and
exhibition to recall the season TO those
of the insane who have their homes in
these several structures. From the
greenhouses there sent
Christmas flowers to the number OF sew
eral thousand for the decoration of the
wards. The observance of the festival in
the female department, more general
than ever before was under the direct ion
of DR.. Mary OMalley, in charge of that
section of the asylum. DR.. H r. Hum
mer supervised the Christmas entertai n
ment and dance.
Bountiful Christmas fare was provide d
at the institution today. Dinner was serv-
ed at noon, and was made up of turkey,
3341 pounds. celery, $500 heads; cram
berries. eight barrels: mashed potatoes
thirty-five bushels; jiblet gravy, baked
custard. apples. oranges and 500 mince
pies. There will be served this evening
for tea. 500 pounds of fruit cake, sauce,
candy and fruit. 1t required $500 pack
ages of candy. that each patient might
receive one, and 1850 cigars were provid
ed as we'll as pipes for those who pre-
ferred smoking in that way The CEN
trail dining hall has been decorated for
week
The religious services in commemora-
-t+oA of the festival of Christmas will take
plaeX Sunday afternoon next in the
chaNl hall, when Rev. Charles o. Isaac,
the Setfor of the Anacostia Methodist
EPISCOPAL Church. will deliver a special
sermonN and music incident to the season
wiz bekendered by the choir of the in
stftHtiony
Home for the Aged.
Christmas was appropriately observed
\ AT the Rupert Home for the Aged and
slnfirm, ocfhe heights east of Anacostia,
overlooking the city. A Christmas eve
gathering of the aged beneticiaries, num-
bering twenty-five, occurred last night
IN the assembly hall of the institution, at
wh6h the distribution of the gifts pro-
vfded for the inmates took place under
the supervision of Mrs. Hermine Ramm,
the matron of the home. The assembly
hall was tastefully decorated for the
event, a beautiful Christmas tree, laden
with ornaments and lighted by many
tapers Occupying a prominent place in
the hall. Nearby were tables filled with
presenfs for the old folks. For each
woman resident there were set apart
shoes. stockings, dressing sacques and
sweetmeats. The men each received knit
Jackets. felt slippers hose, handkerchiefs
IN neat box and sweetmeats.
The distribution of the gifts pre-
teOeu Dy a DTlel ADDRESS from Mrs. R3rnm,
in which she conveyed the greetings of
the season to the residents from the
board of directors of the home, the Ladies
Aid Society and herself. AS a personal
gift the matron then served cider and
wine. Ice cream and cake were served
the inmates at noon today, and later the
principal meal was eaten. 1t consisted
of noodle soup, turkey. cranberry sauce.
mashed potatoes. sauerkraut and corned
pork The old folks were also served to-
day with wine, each receiving a glass
An entertainment has been arranged for
their amusement tomorrow afternoon in
the assembly hail. when friends of the
home from this city will take part in sew
eral plays.
Orphans Remembered.
The children who are cared for at the
German Orphan Asylum on Harrison
street EXTENDED Anacostia, hung up their
stockings on retiring last night and they
found them filled with plentiful supply
of candy, nuts and apples this morning at
the rising hour, a large number of the
little ones were today permitted to leave
the institution at the request of some
surviving relative or friend, that the
Christmas of majority of the Juveniles
was spent under suspicious circumstances
in the homes of those having an interest
in their welfare. There were, however.
about fifteen children remaining in the
institution today. and they were given a
,
mashed potatoes. rice soup. fried apples
and some delicacies. 1t is arranged to
hold the annual Christmas celebration at
the asylum Sunday afternoon next. at
which time the children will be furnished
with a turkey dinner. receive their gifts
of toys and clothing from a Christmas
tree and participate in exercises in keep
ing with the festival.
Bell Home for Children.
happy Christmas was spent by the
children at the Bell Home for Children
at the head of Franklin street. Anacostia
and IL proved TO be that the occasion was
the first one of the nd ever passed I'M
der such bright circumstances for sew
eral of the little ones who are housed
there. There was a Christmas tree or
exhibition for the children last evening
in one of the rooms, to which, owing 10
the restricted accommodations of the
frame building, II was necessary to adj
nit the thirty-four Juveniles in sections
which was done under the supervision OF
the matron, Miss Frances Davenport.
The children found a handsomely trim
med cedar tree awaiting their inspection
and around the base was heaped a guam
tity of presents They received last even
ing sweetmeats, and this morning the
gifts provided for them by donation!
from their friends and from the manage
ment of the home were distributed. Arti
cles OF practical use,, such as clothing and
shoes, were given out, in addition to many