Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-12-26
BEST CHRISTMAS FOR POOR EVER
KNOWN TO MARshALLToWN
IS RECORDED.
GOOD FELLOW SEES "Hls
KIDS" WITH OWN EYES
And Eyes are Bedimmed by Tears as
Joy Is Witnessed-Many Touching
Incidents Found-Salvation Army
Helps Many-Friends Give Fine
Purse to slew" Jones.

cess. A little incident which occurred
this morning at a local shoe store
/ which itself had been part OF the good
fellowship is excellently illustrative OF
the satisfaction the work brought to
those who gave and those who received.
Five children came into the store,
children of the very poor. With them
came five pairs Of new shoes. Some
thing was just little wrong with the
fitting, and the store corrected it. One
with the Good Fellows organization
stood by and asked the children
whether they had had a good Christ
mas. 1t had been the best ever. and
they told him their story with squeals
of dehgne as they filed out.
AS they came upon the street one OF
the men who has been most liberal in
his contribution passed. and as he
passed he jokingly said to the other
Good Fellow. Are those all your chill
dren?" The Good Fellow came back:
NO." he replied They are all
yours Those new shoes and new
stockings were bought with your
money. You put the smiles on their
faces and set their tongues going that
way. They're yours" The big tears
came into the rich mans eyes and his
voice was husky with emotion &c he
said: I'm glad l gave that money. I'm
mighty glad l gave it,"
Those who gave service along with
cash had similar experiences. They
~<e %@
depths. There was sorrow over con-
ditions and gladness over opportunity
to relieve them. When the Good Eel
low who was inquiring to learn what
was most needed and with provision Of
a Christmas dinner in view, asked
how many there were in the family,
the mother replied. Nine" but caught
herself and explained. THE baby
doesn't eat"
Think Of figuring Christmas dinner
to the point Of taking into considera-
ton that "the baby doesn't eat" 1t es-
tablishes a viewpoint that some of US
have been unable to reach.
1t Is utterly impossible to make any
close estimate Of the service rendered.
What the Good Fellows Club bought
and distributed with the cash given it
outright is Of record; but that was
small in comparison to the service
rendered by the Good Fellows who had
taken one to five families to care for.
One man and his family. of father and
brothers and sister, went into the sa-
credness of the closet where mothers
things" had rested sanctif1ed since her
passing and mothers" fur gurment
went to keep poor woman warm be-
cause it would have been mothers
wish"
1t is probable that this one man and
his family distributes hundreds of dol
lars worth Of help in money and ar
ticles which were worth more than
money. One man who is able to do it
took five families. He cared for them
we'll in necessities, and to each in an
envelope he sent small sum in cur
rency.
Another came away from large and
worthy family Of the poor with feel
ing that loaded wagon with blankets
and underwear and pressing necessities
Of life.
From end to end of the city men who
belonged to the Good Fellows and
those who did not, We're busy in the
truest charity and the sweetest Christ
mas that has ever come to MARSHALL
town.
Over at the Marshalltown Club the
teachers who had worked as purchas-
ing committee wrapped bundles and
distributed for day and night. Thes.
teachers made personal calls and can
vases and worked as they could not
have done for wages.
The Coco Fellows Club wishes the
Times Republican TO express its ap-
probation of Marshal!town and her
men and women. The T.-R. regrets
that individual mention may not be
made Of those who thus served their
community, but rule and a promise
Of the club that no publicity shall be
given donors or those aided intervene.
And it does not matter much. The deed
was finer than any publicly that could
he given IT,