The Washington times., 1907-12-28
Presents Given Boys and
Girls of Employees Of
Traction Company.

Santa Claus. beaming with smiles and
rested from his tour Of the world on
Christmas Eve, appeared at the Column
bia Theater yesterday afternoon and
distributed more than a thousand pres
ents to that many good little boys and
girls.
Those who received the presents were
the boys and girls Of employees Of the
Washington Traction Company. The
jolly old St Nick was a. 3. Griffith.
II was an evening Of entertainment
that will long live in the memory of
the thousand or more children and the
grownups as well A vaudeville pro
gram was given before st. Nick ap-
peared, and this was thoroughly en-
joyed by every one. The theater's ca
pacity was tested Beside those who Sc
cured seats there @vere many who were
compelled TO stand.
Santa Claus reappeared in Washing
ton at the request Of President No
Dermitt and other officers Of the Trao-
tion Company, and such q wonderful
supply OF toys. candies. apples, oranges.
nuts, and raislns probably never was
seen before by the little ones who were
invited TO attend the theatrical per
formance and receive gifts from Kriss
Kringle St Nick's clerks were flushed
a deep crimson matching his great fur
trimmed red coat. and his snowy hair
fell in profusion over his broad shoul-
ders. He held a reception on the stage
while the children filed I'D to receive
their presents, and the expressions of
the tots and their shrinking back when
he tried to kiss them was a study in
deed.
Two Christmas Trees.
Two giant Christmas trees decorated
with tinsel. toys, lights and colOred balls
until the bows leaned over from the
weight. stood on either side OF the stage
and were the wonder and admiration Of
the children. especially the several
hundred prattlinR babes IN arms. who
continued their nOiseless handclapping
and sat with saucer-like eyes through
out the performance
After all the children had been seated
in the orchestra circle. balcony, and
gallery, the curtain rose and General
Harries made an address. He said he
wanted all the children TO enjoy them-
selves. and be sure TO remain for the
Christmas gifts which Santa Claus had
brought them
Master Peter Becker sang senti-
mental ballad, entitled "a Sweetheart
Of Long Ago" and received such hearty
applause that he returned and rendered
a coon song with good eftect. be mas
a good voice and knows how 10 use it.
Punch and Judy.
What pleased the children most was
the Punch and Judy show, Of far more
worth than the average performance Of
this character. The tots were keTt
laughing from the rise OF the curtain,
when Mr. Punch struck his wife vio-
lent blow on the head until he was
finally gobbled up by long-jawed,
horny-headed green-baclIed crocodile.
The performance was given by John Il
Rch who wrote Mammals s Boy
highly laughable one-act comedy which
followed.
A Teddy bear song IN which Little
Miss Beatrice COsgrove was assisted by
Rodney Richardson and Warren Stol,
represented the snowy white bears, was
received with tremendous applause by
the children and their parents.
Miss Madaline Smithson and Master
Irving CosgrOve presented song
and dance act which pleased tho
audience, and Miss Adrienne Shreve fol-
lowed with a similar act. Miss Mamie
Schuyler's rope dancing mystified the
audience. Master Irving Cosgrove re-
turned and sang several coon songs and
executed some clever dances which
were also well received This conclud-
ed the vaudeville performance. Miss
MABEL Cosgrove was the pianist and
Miss Cora Shreve was the teacher.
Santa Claus Appears.
Santa Claus then appeared and gave
limitations of the birds and animals
he had heard singing. bowling. or fight
ing. He then announced that he had
many presents for the boys and girls
The curtain rose and sleds dolls. Guns
story books, chatterboxes, doll car
riages. doll dresses, games of ever.