The Washington herald., 1909-08-22
CHILDREN MADE HAPPY
AT HOME IN COUNTRY

At this comfortable home, with its at
tractive surroundings, the Christ Child
Society has given a summer outing tot
about fifty children
The home is In Maryland. on q large
farm. near Silver Spring. where there
Is an abundance OF milk. fruit. and such
things as are needed 10 build up the
health OF weak or sickly children who
are the special care OF the fresh air com
mittee OF the Christ Child Society. The
plan OF the committee has been 20 give
to each OF the children a two weeks
outing. but in some instances. where
there were urgent reasons. the children
have been kept longer.
One child. who had Just recovered from
an attack OF pneumonia and an opera
ton for appendicitis. gained three pounds
the first week she was taken TO the
home. and was kept for FIVE weeks, until
she was well on the road 10 health. The
fund is dependent upon voluntary contri-
buttons, and the actual cost OF keeping
one child at the home for two weeks
is $.
some Denied an Outing.
Unfortunately. some needy children had
to be denied an outing this summer be-
cause OF the lack OF funds. but II is
hoped by small entertainments OF various
sorts given by parties interested in the
work. and an increase IN voluntary con-
tributions. to enlarge the work OF the
committee for next season. The home
used this season by the committee is
not owned by the society, but It has
proved so satisfactory this year that ef-
forts win be made 20 secure It again
next summer. The entire second floor OF
the house was made into a dormitory.
each child having her own little cot. the
place anording sleeping accommodations
for fifteen. Children as young as four
years are taken, IL there be an older
sister 10 go along
A matron engaged by the society Is
| constantly with the children. and brings
| them back 70 their homes at the close
| OF their two weeks outing. The last
/ group OF children for this season re-
/ turned TO the city on Thursday Num-
/ erous hammocks, crocuet, and other
/ games, with a small stream near by,
where the children could wade and frolio
/ 10 their hearts content, furnished the
/ healthy amusement necessary TO make
these little ones happy.
One Was a Deaf-mute.
One little deaf-mute girl who was at
the home this summer was an object
OF special interest TO every one on the
place. 1t is hoped eventually. as a wider
interest is taken in the work by the
| charitabIy inclined and as the Subscrip-
/ tons increase, TO have a permanent sum-
mer home for these poor little ones, and
a place large enough e accommodate
a greater number Of sick and GONZALES
cent children. to whom such an outing
not only means health, but sometimes
life itself Mrs. Henry Simpson. OF the
Olympia, is in charge OF this branch OF
the Christ Child work. and in company
with Mgr Mackin. recently spent day
! at the home with the children
The Christ Child Society was organized
! about nineteen years ago. and was the
outgrowth of a desire on the part OF its
foundress, Miss Mary V. Merrick. tc
bring happiness into the lives OF unfor-
tunate children a; Christmas time. Never
abandoning this original purpose. but
growing and modifying. like al success
full works. to meet the needs encountered
the society has widened its activities
until nearly all the needs OF child life
are covered by its various branches OF
work One OF the most interesting fea-
lures Of the work IS the answering o.
the letters from poor children to The
Christ Child at Christmas time and last
year there were l,O10 Of them. Eacf
member of the society responds TO one
OF the letters by sending the gifts fOl
which the child has asked. 1t may seen
a good deal to give a wagon to a boy
but sometimes II helps him 10 earn {
living.
One Pathetic Case Cited.
A pathetic case Of last year was thai
of a girl OF fifteen who was dying Of
consumption. She had been a little
mother in a household and had worn her
self out at the washtub. Her little sister
had been forbidden 10 sleep with her fol
rea- OF Infection and she was very lonely
In the long days and nights of suffering
One who loves the poor gave her dol
exquisiteIy dressed, and the young In
valid keeps it by her. always patheticall,
exclaiming OF her treasure: she ain
afraid OF me. and she's the only one tina
isn't"
Destitute children Of all ages ar
clothed. and the neglected and ignoran
are visited and instructed. Last yea
over $50 children were clothed in new gar
ments. the girls receiving wooden dresse
and underwear; the boys blouses and un
derwear The total number OF garment
made and distributed through the yea
was 3OS7. an increase Of over 800 arti
cles over the previous year. Eighty-si'
pairs OF shoes were given TO the mos
needy az Christmas The infant outfits
which are distributed at all times durinl
the year. Is the best known work Of tni
committee The outfit consists OF twenty
three little garments and little sock
made by a blind member OF the society
One hundred and two Of these layette
were distributed within the past year.
Thought 1t Clothes for Twins.
A member Of the committee relates tina
a grateful recipient OF one OF them upo
discovering the number OF garments con
rhssfv~ 4 etIo