The Washington herald., 1910-09-11
CHILDREN MADE HAPPY.

EndeavOrs of Christ Child Society
n Blessing TO the Community.
The Christ Child Society Of Washington
has made sixty-fve children happy this
summer at a homelike farmhouse in Sill
yer Spring, Nd.
Dressed in Bingham pinafores and blue
boomers these little girls romp and tum-
bic on the green grass. with no thought
Of the multitudinous cares that many OF
them have left behind. Here for two
weeks they have no duties in life ex-
cept to be happy. Under the great shell
tering trees there are swings. seesaWs.
hammocks, croquet, and, for rainy days.
spent on the porches. there are plenty OF
scrap-bQoks. new-fashioned rag dolls
with painted faces, and any number Of
live pets. such as cats. kittens. chick
ems. baby rabbit Gagged in a pasteboard
box. and the shaggy watchdog.
Then there is the turkey gobbler, who
adds zest to existence because he sup
pliea the fahcied danger, without which
no childish holiday Is complete. He
seemed only mildly observant as the
writer passed through the kitchen yard
but one OF the children huddled close 10
my side and suggested, He might chase
you" But we passed on safely TO the
other side Of the tall barn, then down a
gentle slope 10 the swimming pool. Some
itinerant little streams. fed by far away
springs, have been coaxed into this hol-
low. and here is bathing place not deep
enough to drown even the smallest. and +.
yet quite zig enough 70 splash in and
TO make believe" TO swim
The sympathetic matron in charge
watches over all these antics with
motherly solicitude. while the old farm
er. whom all the children have adopted
and call 'grandpap." presides over the
whole establishment with the federation
OF patriarehal saint.
Most OF the children are delicate. and
have been chosen out OF a multitude be-
cause they were in need OF special care.
their white lips seeming to cry out for
the fresh air and nourishing food that
should be every child's One pathetic fig
ure was little blind girl, who longed to
be busy because she did not want TO
think" She sat contentedlv in a low
rocking chair hemming a ruf1e which
was intended as a present for the ma
uon-an expression OF gratitude. She
had just finished half dozen handker-
chiefs and "grandpap' had whitfield for
her a pair Of knitting needles on which
she had made a blue scarf which she
hoped to sell. When one Of the visitors
gave her an order for a worsted shawl.
her face lighted up with JOY az having
found some form OF usefulness at last
At y o'clock the dinner bell sounded.
and there was general scurry for the
house, but one child stopped on her eager
way, and putting her arm tenderly
around the blind girl, escorted her into
the dining-rocm. where a tempting meal
awaited the hungry crowd. The long
table was spread with spotless white oil
cloth, and set with lowered dishes.
Chicken and fresh vegetables were piled
high on every plate. and when this had
disappeared more followed from the
neighboring kitchen. Every meal must
indeed seem a party 10 many OF these
little ones who have had nothing but
frugal fare all their lives.
Il is a great work to bring health and
happiness % Hl-nourished bodies. but ike
most great works Il Ianguishes. and is
limited in scope FOR lack Of support. We
would ike 70 see the Christ Child So
ciety with permanent country home.
where delicate children. children threat
ened with tuberculosis. or convaIescents
lacking home facilities Tor a complete re-
covery might be taken at any time OF
year We talk much OF preventive meas
ures; we grow historical over disease.
but many Of US refuse our patronage 10
worthy undertakings which may mean
much TO us Let US remember that the
destiny Of our nation Is in the hands OF
little children Of today, and that for the
light they will need both blood and
Drawn.