The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-12
THE DAY IN socIETY-RosE DIN NER GIVEN BY JUDGE CHARLES FERGUSON AND MIR. MUDD MAR TiN-THE SOCIAL CALENDAR
 FOR HOLIDAY SEASoN-NoTES.
Bv MYRTLE MILES.

One of the sweetest charities in Greater Birmingham is the Orphans home at East Lake. It is a Catholic institution, Catholic in its religious sense, and in the other meaning of the term, catholic in its broadness and generosity. The home is not well known in Birmingham. Its loca- ton is out of the beaten path, the build- ing. erected years ago for the East Lake Athenaeum, Is some distance from the lake and one of the most attractive places about town. It is a large brick edifiee standing in the center of gently sloping grounds, which in summer are shaded with trees. During the holidays the lit fle people spend a great part of their time on a merry-go-round which was sent pilt to them this summer by a gentleman whose wife is member of the board of managers of the home, and 1t has been the greatest source of pleasure that they have ever had. It is revelation to visit the home and see the happiness that is brought to the lives of these little chil- dren by the kind Sisters of Charity, who have them in charge, and by the coterie of ladies whose thoughtfulness provides them with so many little luxuries as well as necessities.
 Arriving at the home last Wednesday morning, I found the children assembled in the playroom and from the merry sounds that issued forth when the doors were opened, it was very evident that their days are entirely happy. There were 9s of them, ranging from to l2 gears of age. and the black hair and eyes of the little Syrian Josephine were all the blacker in contrast to the fair hair of small Mary, around whom her little arms crept as the children all crowded close about the group of ladies who had come out to pay them visit. The several nationalities the creeds of various percentage, the fact that some are partially provided for by a mother whose work keeps her away from her darlings all day and blesses this sweet refuge where they may be kept safe for her; others whose fathers are labor ing to care for their motherless little ones and endeavoring <to make place fol them; the others who belong to nobody the true orphans to whom the hom' means everything-fnake no difference il the sweetness of the treatment received by the 99. The clinging of little arms tC the dear Sister whose duty it is to looi after their physical needs shows tiIs tenderness and love which is given tc them. They are Interesting little boys and girls; there was the one who lispeo her Italian name over and over again tc no avail for my American ears, but who sang one song after another in the clear est and most tuneful of voices, recited little poems with unaffected gesture and natural grace; the handsome, sturdy lit tie lad of 3 years whom they call Colonel Wiggins'' because of his soldierly bear ing, and the beautiful little girl with great soft eyes whose mother died at the IIillman hospital two weeks ago, and whose father in his helplessness is leav- ing her at the home until some disposition can be made of her, are but examples of the s9 different interesting cases They are all eagerly anticipating Christmas IA tree will be given them filled with toys, and one of the ladies whose work for the orphans is bringing the love and appreciation of nearly 100 little souls is planning for the turkey dinner which