New-York tribune., 1909-12-24
SANTA In SLUMS
Christmas Cheer Carried Into
TenfmeRts.

Il don't t'ink Santa Claus vill come by
US 0is year" says Mrs Goldberzer. hope
iessIy.
Mrs. GOldberger IS Of rather hopeless
cast ANYHOW. but the trained nurse who
has come around from che Christian Work
ers' Home. IN 10th street. 20 look after rhe
health Of the GoIdbergers snd 20 dispense
some OF the Christmas cheer the Christian
workers give out every wear at holiday
time doesn't wonder in the least When
a woman has an operation rsrtng her IN
the face aud iuCipient tuberculosis 90 boot
a t,vo-nlonths-oIa baby. husband out OF
work and three children who haven't
clothes enough 20 keep them warm on the
way 20 the school the truzIt offcer IN
sists on their attending. thar woman isn't
exactly IN circumstances 20 make her
hopeful All fhe same. she Is making what
holiday preparations she can
"De rooms is tore up. but vas clean
IN a little for Christmas. she explains.
a. the nurse enters with her laden baskets
And What Is santa Claus going 20 bring
Martha asks the nurse % a tiny girl
IN the corner.
Martha IS as hopeless as her mother
"Not'in'" she takes her small finger out
OF her mouth 10 say. briefly
The hollow checked mother takes up her
dreary monotone. We can't t'ink of got
tin presents she says. MY husband. he
fss out Il work two weeks. lie puts lin
in's IN coats and when he works he makes
ave. six dollars a week sew vhen I
can. but 7 am sick: I cannot work How
should I give der children presents All
my tings iss in der hook shop, aud dey
will be lost. I cannot get dem out. I can
not nurse my babv and I hsf no money
- buy milk for heT."
Wen ix that" saws the nurse cheer
fully. ard Christmas present No. for
Mrs. Goldberger Is some milk tickets that
viii entitle her TO a quart day. Then
the basket is opened. aud put come canned
fruits and vegetables. tea. sugar. all man
ner Of things TO cheer the GOldbergers-
"Msrtha's Just five years Old. isn't she?''
asks the nurse as she finishes unpacking
the basket Then I want her 20 come 20
my party that I'm going % give hve-year-
Old children az the church tomorrow.
There'H be a tree and a nice present for
Martha"
Martha takes her finger out Of her
mouth again and changes her opinion
about Santa Claus.
Mrs Fink. the next on the nurses
rounds. Is anything bat hopeless Mrs.
Fink has a husband down with the cry
after long illness. but Mrs Fink has
also a valiant spirit that nothing can con-
Quer. She has Just come in 10 rest her
bad leg between cleaning steps-Mrs
Fink is a janitress-and sits serenely con-
templatins a tiny evergreen tree without
any trimmings
We was prosperous when 7 bought IT,"
she says but then my husband he took
sick. and. bless you. We can't buy any
toys now But what's the use O. worry
iR'? There's worse times a-comin'. may
be. she ends with a jolly laugh
When Mamie Fink. aged eight. comes IN
she is equally serene about Santa Claus
not coming
I've got the doll they gave sister al the
hospital. she chirps. "and that's enough.
with the tree: don't care IL IL hasn't any
trimming May be III have presents on
my birfday that's comm pretty soon"
Wen be proSperin' by then" her mother
assures her. and M. FinS. weird TO behold
in the mask the nurse has put on 20 cure
his eryspelas. joins in with a cheerful
laugh. and every body is happy. even though
the lsTder is empty. II isn't 80 empty.
though when the nurse has taken some
things out OF her basket and the jolly
Finks become few shades jollier they
watch the process
You come over 70 sec me az the home
this evening. Mrs. Fink saws the nurse as
she finishes. and 7 shouldn't wonder II We
found some toys and things 20 trim that
tree"
And Mamie. for su her philosophy, gig
giles ecstsricaIly-
Then Up and down tenement stairs. and
more tenement stairs. the nurse goes. stop
ping here 70 put On bandage. there 20 look
at a sore throat. and everywhere dropping
bits Of Christmas cheer. Generally it's a
piece Of holly and an invitation % come 20
the Workers Home for a basket for the
nurse isn't express wagon and can't
carry everything with her. Everywhere she
meets stories 81 bad Luck sickness. hunger,
lack Of work But everywhere some little
preparation for Christmas Is going on. II
its only the floor being swept up And
everywhere the nurse keeps her cheery face.
her dv sympathy. tiI at ! o'clock she
goes back 20 the Workers Home for a hur-
RED luncheon with big tabIeful cf other
nurses and % missionaries all OF whom
are working long hours. under the New
York city Mission Society. - carry little
Christmas Jov into hare tenement homes