The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-24

the scores % men and women. and the
number OF firms, % which the St Mich
0laS Girl IS indebted The c0ntrlbu-
ions - the work. acknowledged daily
n The Times, have shown the generosity
OF the public Merchants. professional
men ami women, children. and employees
IN the shops have worked with one aim
and one great enthusiasm for the naDpi-
ness OF the children. some contrib utinE
time and service. others money, and all.
! love And to them each and all the St
Nicholas Girl says again,
We thank you"
The actual task Of sorting santa Claus
( letters, filling begs, and shopping, be-
gan last Monday morning, bright and
Iary met for the first tine at the Nun
sey building AfSsr the letters had been
sorted by members Of the auxiliary,
large clerical force began the task Of
copying on index cards the name and
address. and the requests Of each child
These cards were numbered CODSeCu-
lively from to 1000, and from them
the bags, correSpOndingly numbered.
were filed by workers Of the auxiliary.
BY such & system each child received,
IN so far as IL was possible for Us 10
which Il had asked
And yet, the St Nicholas Girl workers
are anxious that the annual toy dis
tribution should not be considered q
charity Il IS not al. occasion on which
the rich COndesCend TO Uingle for a
few brief hours with the poor The
E
tariIy made 70 our little brothers and
sisters less fortunate than We. and
coming 10 them from Santa Claus, the
dear patron saint Of all polite, clean.
and kind little children
The lower half Of the Munsey build
Ing. given over TO the toy distribution,
and lavishly decorated with sparkling
trees, with lights and flowers, was
. thrown open promptly at O'Clock this
morning, and the presentation OF gifts
began. Major Richard Sylvester had
detailed to duty for the occasion officers
SO that confusion and CTOWding among
/ the children was avoided B9yg and
girls, from numbers I 10 800. received
bags from 9 10 10 o clock. and N lots OF
600 per hour the bags Of toys were
given out through the day until each
little one on the St. Nicholas Girls list
had been sent away rejoicing, and
dazzled by the sDlendOr- Of the first real
TO the vigi- ance Of the officers on duty
not dtscnrd occurred to mar the hap
piness OF the day.
And now, the blessed Christmas Eve
IS here soon the curtains viii be drawn
FOR the night. and in the happy homes
Of the city he children VIII be tucke1
II, early, 10 lie trembling with the de-
IiciOuS excitement OF II all until the
Sand Man comes along to make their
eyes heavy with sleep. 50 that SanCa
Claus NAY enter, al silently and myS-
5 terioUslys to III the little stockings All
IN the homes less fortunate, the homes
whose children received their gifts AT
/ The Times office today Santa Claus
VIII not enter tonight. But what OF
that Have they not seen his bodily
I presence today, and have they not re-
csived from his benedcsut and gentle
hand the Vrondrous toys OF which they
have dreamed for many months paste
{ VIII they not awake tomorrow tc the
memory OF II ell, and TO the reality OF
their playthings7
Ard while the great city lies wrapped
1 T. - 81 ~
while the little children o-e smiling IN
their dreams. Sante Claus and the St
+ NschcIaz Csyl r-sil 5ziEz 60 world good
aIEaf until sncthsT gear e past.