Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1913-12-26
ENJOYABLE XMAS
 FOR PINE BLUFF Poor People and Children Are Given Dinners and
 Presents ELKS PLAY HOSTS Best Fellows Turn Theatre Into Big Reception Room For Tots Who
 Receive Good Things.

Christm&s cheer came in manifold ways yesterday to Pine Bluffans and those who possessed enough of this world S goods saw to it that the less fortunate ones did not go through ene day cheerless and with out ample provision for enjoyment. Wien one considers that the l1lks, the Associated Charities, various churches. fraternal orders, Volun- teers of America and numbers of private contribution, all lent efforts to the erA of making Christmas an enjoyable occasion for all of Pine Bluff, it can readily be understood that if anyone lacked the means of having q good, cheery, time, it was purely an oversight, or because the indigent ones let self pride stand in the way.
 It is only once in year and then sometimes only once in life time that one sees such sight as was witnessed yesterday morning at the Elks theatre when the Best Fellows played host to poor children. The stage was prettily set with an ample Christmas tree and piled up several feet high on the stage, was great array of baskets, filled with toys and good things.
 AS hosts, the Best Fellows enjoyed themselves immensely. Their faces beamed and smiled as they helped the little. tots to the presents and baskets, but the joy that came into their hearts was anything, compared to that which filled the hearts of their little guests.
 It had been arranged that the children should march down one isle onto the stage, receive basket and then pass out on the otherside of tine theatre This was done in order to avoid congestion and in order also that the distributions might take blade with rapidity It was not desired to keep children and others waiting for any too great length of time.
 Each child was sent away from the theatre laden with good things, but the Elks, with wisdom, had provided beyond this. Knowing that some who are in need could not come and that others are backward, approxm- ately 300 baskets werer reserved to be sent to homes. In this was as- sured that all would be cared for.
 Many presents also were given which were not on hand, but can be secured today or later. Everytime little tot put in an appearance and looked as if warmer clothing or a pair of shdes were badly needed, an order was given for such to be purchased, and the Elks will pay the bill. In this way many poor people have been made comfortable, not only for Christmas, but for weeks and months to come.
 Fill Kids Stockings
 The Associated Charities for it's end of the Christmas supply for the poor, filled Christmas stocking for little folks. They had received Santa l Claus letters from children, asking for this and that, and the good old man who furnishes Christmas cheer was asked to attend to their wants Each child received what was asked for.
 The stockings from the Associated Charities were filled and sent to the various homes on Wednesday and when the tots woke up yesterday morning they found the stockings waiting for them. It is estimated that seventy-five families were pro- vided for in this manner.
 No effort was made by the As sociated Charities to provide meals, as Captain Watts of the Volunteers of merica, had taken over that work. The Volunteers of America distribut- ed Christmas dinners to these need ing them. The only meals sent by the Associated Charities was to some few old people who are needy
 Prisoners Made Happy Those who were unfortunate i enough to be in the city and county
 tails. did not have an altogether