The Washington herald., 1917-12-26
KIDDIES HAVE
GAY HOLIDAY
ATD.C. HOMES
Christmas Trees and Enter.
tainments Features Of
Yuletide Celebrations.

uIOlllC NClODk oltOilOs
The gayest spots in Washington yes
terday were within the nursery walls.
In these charmed precincts Joy reigned
king. war itself was touched with the
child spirit.
In fact. It must be acknowledged
that war spurred the toymakers' i'm
agination into contriving new and cap
tivating playthings that made the wis
est kiddies sit up and take notice.
Red-cheeked and Red Cross dolls and
miniature tanks. just like those that
go "over the top" to smash the Ger
man trenches were found waiting at
the foot of yesterdays Christmas
trees From &. m, when the hddies
tumbled down stairs in sleepers and
nighties to find what SANITY had left
for them until late last night when the
final now / lay me- was said and
they were all tucked IN comfy, yester-
day was big day for the Juveniles.
The weather wasn't all that could
be desired between alternate gusts of
rain and whirling snowfiakes that
melted as soon as they touched the
ground. But some Of the children
with rubber-tired automobiles and doll
carriages Just had to perambulate
their new toys around the block so
that Johnny Jones and Mary Smith
could see the new playthings.
But most of the little folks enjoyed
themselves within doors, where they
made family life interesting II not
tranquil.
Even the fat and blase baby drop
ped his peppermint stick and crowed
with delight at Jimmy's machine gun.
This deadly weapon Is charged part
ly with rubber balls and partly with
talcum powder so that whenever Il
is fred a most gratifying smoke
cloud emerges. Sister Mary says that
she's going to lock up her face pow
der after this.
Santa Visits Schools.
Santa Claus was right ION the Job
of providing Christmas joys for the
boys and girls OF the Districts train
ing schools yesterday. Gayly lighted
Christmas trees, with gifts for every
one; entertainments of varying kinds
and all the goodies to eat that heart
could desire were outstanding fea-
lures at each institution. While the
high price OF turkey placed it out
Of the reach OF the municipal purse.
roast chicken and pork were found
to be satisfactory substitutes.
Perhaps the earliest risers Of the
day were the ninety-six boys who
live at the Industrial Home School
for Colored Children, at Blue Plains,
ID. c. These boys, under the leader
ship OF Superintendent Perry, greeted
the dawn with the beautiful old
Christmas carols. They then PLAYED
until dinner time. when they gath
cred around a big board spread with
an appetizing array of roast pork,
sweet potatoes and homegrown
fruits and vegetables.
But today these boys will reach the
height Of the holiday merrymaking,
At O'Clock their relatives and friends
will be their guests at the annual
Yuletide entertainment, when q gor-
geous tree will be lighted by dozens
of electric bulbs and gifts will be
presented to everyone.
Illness Prevents Program.
An unexpected outbreak of scarlet
faver prevented the carrying out of
the scheduled Christmas program at
the Industrial Home School But Santa
Claus cannot be kept out by any
quarantine. So the three groups OF
children that are confined on doctor
orders had separate deliberations, each
group being provided with a tree and
toys and special entertainment. A
hearty chicken and vegetable dinner
helped the gayety along.
Protestant boys and girls in the
school had their Christmas letters an
Swered by st. Alban's Church and the
National Cathedral School for Girls,
and st. Isabella's Guild looked out for
the requests OF the Catholic children.
Every boy and girl also received a sur
prise package from the National
School Of Domestic Arts and Sciences
which is directly across the street
from the school.
But the most elaborate Yuletide en-
tertainment held at any Juvenile in
stitution was that at the National
Training School for Girls on the Con-
duit road. where thirty-three white
and sixty negro girls are cared for.
The program Is to extend throughout
the week.
Sing Cantata.
Each of the three cottages in which
the girls reside. has been prettily deco
rated and provided with a tree which
Santa Claus visited Christmas eve.
An attractively served chicken dinner
was followed by assembly hall exer-
cises. In the evening an elaborate
cantata, composed by Superintendent
Mrs ]. \. Griffith. was presented.
Every girl had a part in the produc-
tion. Christmas fairies and elves galore
sported through the play which was
notable for its clever scenic effects,
rs well as its charming lines. During
the rest OF the week each cottage will
Iroduce a playlet
One celebration wasn't enough for
the SS4 boys at the National Training
School for Boys so they had seven
distinct merrymakings. one for eacn
building. Candy. fruit and gifts we're
in line and every youngster was re-
membered. Roast young pig and pump
kin pie were the high lights OF The