Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-12-25
KING D|NG LERcHEN
HAS DINNER FOR 46
At MARION HOLTEL
After the Dinner Presents
for Each Made Day
Memorable

Forty-six young eyes bulged with as
tonishment and forty-six hearts throb-
bed with gladness Sunday noon when
4" King Bing'' I4edchen uahered 10 boys
and girls between the ages Of seven and
IL gears into the resplendent dining
room of the Marion hotel and sat them
down before table on which were
snowy linen, sparkling cut glass, and
a delicious brown turkey.
1t was like a trip into fairyland for
the youngsters who were given this
treat because of the Kindness of the
HKing.O And in their eyes "Bill''
Lerchen was really and truly King.
And their eyes danced with keen antici-
patton at the unusual feast.
The Christmas cheer struck deep In.
to their hearts and they thoroughly en-
joyed everything set before them.
ssGee,o whispered one youngster to an
other, Hain't this grands0 And the
other replied, fYou betcha''
One little fellow was standing apart
from the rest and King Lerchen walk
ed over to him and asked what he was
doing there, and he brayely rcplied:
.'tI'm looking for the King, and | IN
going to stay here till see him. = Bill
laughed and told him he was the king
and the little tad was glad
Too Darned High.
A big glass Of cream was served the
youngsters and they appreciated the de-
lieious richness to the last drop. One
little fellow was asked il he got any
cream at homo and he replied: Nope,
it's SO darn high we haven 7 had any
for 10 years
Just like the banquets Of the big
folks and the Cherrians, there was
music all through dinner There was a
pianist from Bligh's theatre and Q pic
colo player a4so from Bligh s. Bruce
MeDaniels, who has been teaching
school up in Washington, and who has
Just returned, also presided at the piano.
Holly and mistletoe and big red Christ
mas bells were the decorations.
And the menu how they did enjoy it.
There was the big, juicy turkey with
plenty Of gravy and dressing, mashed
the bright, red cranberry
sauce, celery, olives, ntince pie, and
bread and butter, and the big glass OF
cream.
Camo From Portland to See 1t,
After the dinner was over and every
.littfe stomach was cranmed fun Of all
the good things it could holR and long
ing eyes looked over the stiil replcte
table wishing their little tnamies were
made to hold more, the presents we're
distributed. Every one there got q pres
INT something that made hits heart re-
joiee. For the boys there were baseballs,
marbles, tops, neckties, etc, and for
the girls beads, dolls, ribbons, etc. And
best Of all, the thing TINT took their
eyes and held them fascinated was q
big, brand new, glittering DIME Candy
and nuts topped Off the dinner nicely
SO unique was this celebration Of the
Christmas spirit that a travelling man
from New York, who heard of the ev-
ent, came up from Portland yesterday
10 be presehnt and watch the kiddies
enjoy themselves.
Among those who were present at
this event, aside from the children, were
Grace Taylor, Salem school nurse; Ivan
IG. Mechanics, secretary Of the Salem
Social Service Center; Mrs. William Ev.
Ierett Anderson, who assembled the kid.
dies; Mrs. g. Il. Dick, Mrs. Milton My
ers and Mrs. Harry Olinger, who assist
ed.