Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-12-26
SIX HUNDRED YOUNG
HOPEFULS ARE
MADE HAPPY
albuquerque Lodge No. 461,
B, P.'0. E, Plays Santa
Claus to a Crowded House
Last Night,

Success beyond the expectation of
the most optimistic, attended the
Santa Claus affair given to the
children of Albuquerque in the Elks'
theater last night by Albuquerque
Lodge No. 461, B. p. o. E. Just how
much of a brilliant success the whole
program was, cannot be told OF pa
per. One would have to be right on
the spot and see the hundreds of
youngsters, joyful and happy, to APP
preciate the full significance OF the
affair.
The Elks have successfully axe
cuted many plans for scattering
broadcast happiness and good cheer.
but it can safely be said that never
before in the history of Albuquerque
lodge was q scheme so happily con
ceived and so oleverly and smoothly
carried out as was the Santa Claus'
stunt.
There were SO many children who
attended the affair that no one had
time to even begin to count them.
But six hundred children were there
at the very least and then some. In
fact it appeared to the average OBJ
server that there were more than a
thousand little boys and girls in the
parquet and dress circle Of the thea
ter when the program began. Two
hours before the scheduled time for
the commencement of the music and
the appearance Of good old st. Mich
olas, there were at q conservative es-
innate two hundred youngsters out
side the opera house awaiting admis-
sion. Ushers were on duty at 5
o'clock and the little ones were care
fully seated. Finally the demand be-
case so great for seats that 1t became
necessary to put two young hopefuls
in some of the seats. And the Christ
mas spirit was abroad so none of the
youngsters objected to dividing seat
space.
Until Z O'Clock the grown folks
were admitted to the balcony, but af-
tor that hour all the seats in that sec
ton being taken, the doors were
closed against papas and mammas
and uncles and aunts and admission
to the theater was confined exclu-
sively to the children.
While thes4Noupgsters sat expec-
family in their seats awaiting the
coming of Santa Claus, a number of
Juvenile artists rendered a splendid
musical and literary program. Miss
Grace Stortz and Miss Lorna Lester,
talented violinists, each rendered a
solo, both receiving ovations for their
really splendid rendition OF difficult
classical selection. Miss Stortz and
Miss Lester then rendered a very
pleasing duet. being accompanied by
Miss Martha Bullall, a remarkably
proficient pianiste for her years. Miss
Bullard was also accompanied for the
solo numbers rendered by Miss Stortz
and Miss Lester.
"Bobby shafto," a trio number,
made a decided hit with everybody,
especially the youngsters. The trio
was composed Of Marcella Matson,
Marion Frank and Donald CaVa-
naugh, pupils Of Mrs. Stewards kim
dergarten. The applause the trio re-
ceived from the big audience as they
retired gracefully from the stage
would have greatly pleased the most
seasoned performers. Miss stewards
class of ten little boys then rendered
a very clever Christmas carol which
was also warmly applauded. A duet
by Miss Stortz and Miss Lester, Miss
Billiard, -accompanist, was received
with even more appreciation n sub
stantial applause than their first
number. Miss Mamie Kelly, O tai
ented young elocutionist, then deliV-
cred in a very realistic and pleasing
style, st. Nicholas" which prepared
the hundreds of youngsters Tor what
they had every reason to believe was
Sc soon 10 ndDDtHs Anu VINE A7ohe~
Claus was unpacking his bag on the
roof of the Elks' building, prepara-
tory to descending the chimney,
Mr.. Frederick Warde, the eminent
Shakesperean actor, and a loyal Elk,
if there ever was one, made a brief
address to the children. Mr.. Warde
knows how to talk to the youngsters
He is several times grandfather him.
self and has a store of Christmas le-
gends for children that would fill a
good-sized book. MI. Warde made a
clever, happy talk to the youngsters
telling them in language easily un-
derstood of the Significance OF
Christmas. He took them back nine
teen centuries age to Bethlehem and
told them the story OF the birth OF
the Christ child.
Mr.. Warde had barely finished his
speech when. to quote the words OF
the poem recited a few moments
previously by Miss Kelly:
Down the chimney St Nicholas came
with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur from head
to his foot.
And his clothes were all tarnished
with ashes and scot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his
back.
And ne looked. like o peddler just
opening his pack,
His eyes how they twinkledi ms
dimples how merry
His cheeks were like roses, his nose
like a cherry
Santa Claus was greeted with a
shout that came from five hundred
youngsters simultaneously. Briefiy
good old Santa stated the object OF
his mission. 1t was to make the chill
dren Of Albuquerque happy He
came to Albuquerque. travelling over
Hill and dale, at the especial request
OF the Elks.
And then Santa invited all the
youngsters to file up on the stage.
The young idea needed no urging and
much less a second invitation. Girls
had the r~ight-of-way and went first
Orderly and systematically the girls
mounted the stairs leading to the
stage where Bill Pratt and "Buzz
Tierney and a dozen other equally
popular Elks showed them the way
TO al Claus.
On the right hand side of h stage
was an immense pile of gifts for u
girls and on the ether side were hun