Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-10-14

Twelve little ROCK lSlanu OOlueS
are going to take a sea voyage. Their
devoted mothers have booked passage
for them on the finest ship afloat, the
"inasmuch.' and for a month past
have been busily engaged in Quitting
their large family of daughters. Dress
makers and fashion sheets have been
consulted. Spick and span from head
TO toe these IL little dollies are lying
in n row on a high shelf in The Argus
Office awaiting the arrival of the rest
of the tourists who will make the
journey across the big water.
A little over a month ago when Miss
Edith and Miss Ruby Lusk, young
daughters of Mr.. and Mrs. G. f. Lusk.
9O5 Twenty-first street, read in The
Argus that there was to be a Christ
mas ship loaded with toys to be sent
by the children of America to the chill
dren of Europe they danced about the
house and made life miserable for
their mother until they got her promise
that they could give as many dolls as
they could dress. Immediately they
went to work and Stitch and Chatter
club composed of two active members
has held daily meetings at the Lusk
home after school hours. They have
talked of nothing else, their mother
says, and are filled with sympathy for
the little girls in Europe. They have
learned 4 great deal in this month of
sewing on the dolls clothes and have
asked questions and gained informa-
tiCn that quite compensates for all the
picking up of pieces. Dressing IL dolls
has rather upset the house at times.
For a number of years these kind
hearted children have made gifts and
dressed dolls and like Sherlock Holmes
and Watson have sleuthed about the
city until they discovered some homes
where Santa might not stop. And
Christmas night, hid behind a tree or
fence, they have watched the reception
of their gifts and know exactly how a
poor little child feels and acts when he
receives a visit from the wonderful
Kris KrinEle. These young misses
now have enrolled as Good Fellows
and viii be in the band of Christmas
shoppers for Rock Island children.
There's every likelihood that they will
go to work at once. Surely the joy of
giving has cast reflected radiance in !
their faces for The Argus rarely has
ever seen such vibrant children as
Edith and Ruby. If the recipients of
made as happy as they, their work is |
well worth while.
Many Others Come.
Quite a number of gifts to the Christ |
mas ship have come the last few days |
and The Argus hears of others in the
Necessarily the ship will /
have TO leave America much in ad-
vance of Christmas. Toys of all kinds |
are wanted and wearing apparel of all
sorts. The Argus has a fund to which
they may contribute for those who are
limited as to time to do shopping.
Many homes will be found in destitu-
ton by the American Santa Claus and
ne must carry a supply of foods, also.
Each day finds the general move
nent receiving new aid. The churches
and church workers in most localities
are deeply interested.
Mrs. r. W. Salter, who has been en-
gagged in home mission work in Chi
cago for the last 80 years. has sent $25
% the Herald Christmas ship fund. The
amount is the contribution of Home
Guards and Mothers Jewels, the chill
iren's auxiliary OF the Womans Home
society of the Rock River
OF the Methodist Episcopal
church.
II am sending s25 to start the ball
-olling in the organization" said Irs.
5alter. Later l expect the children
o send in a number of gifts which they
will manufacture themselves.
In my capacity as conference sec
sr's Jewels, l address about 1000 chill
iren from time to time. Many of them
ire from 8 to 10 years old, Just the
ige when they are anxious to make
Useful articles"