Evening star., 1922-04-15
CHILDREN GLADDEN.
HEART OF: CRIPPLE
Through SeIf-Sacrifice They
Gather Mary Easter Gifts
for Girl.

Fairgrounds WELD great influence
in the development of Easter spirit
as exemplified in self-sacrifice and
eagerness to make the lives OF others
happy. There is no better evidence Of
this fact than the little ceremony to-
day at the big Virginia avenue play
grounds at Virginia avenue and 10th
street southeast, where hundreds Of
little children of the section gathered
to extend rays of happiness into the
life of Mary Jackson of 733 10th street
southeast.
Mary is six years Of age, cripple.
She has never been able to walk dur
ing the few short years of her life.
But every day she comes to the play
grounds and watches the heai.ny
children romp and play. the
children on the grounds love her' ioI
she always has q smile for them, ana
there is no evidence of envy IN her
heart because she cannot get out OF
her little carriage and carry on as the
rest of them do. She gets her enjoy
ment out of watching the others play.
Decide ON Surprise.
The children there want Mary to
be happy all the time. They vii! DO
anything for her to make her days
could every time she came to the play
grounds. But they wanted her 70
have one of her kappiest Casters this
year. So they had little secret meet
ing. Earl Walker. TIA A street south
east. who has been playing on the
grounds for the past fourteen years,
proposed that the children contribute
to a fund to provide Mary with an
Easter basket.
Earl is past the playground age, but
he still comes every day to snow the
younger generation how to enjoy them
selves. 1t is his way of expressing his
appreciation of Fairgrounds. for ne
has grown into a healthy young man
due to the outdoor recreation which
the Fairgrounds provided. He wants
to see the others grow up Just the
same way.
He hsd C. P Berkeley. caretaker at
the grounds, announce it to the chill
dren, and then he began preparations
for the big event. During the past rev
weeks the children have talked OIL
nothing but the little Easter remem-
brance for Mary. They denied them-
selves, candy and other little luxuries.
and made other sacrifices SO that Mary
would have a real Easter. Their little
hearts made lighter by these little
sacrifices. they went at their play day
after day with greater enthusiasm.
They were hardly able to wait Tor TO-
days big event. They were just burst
ing to give away the secret.
More Than One Gift.
They came to the Fairgrounds as
usual today. So did little Mary. Miss
Thelma E. Smith, the supervisor OF
this playground. had obtained the
baskets and tastefully arranged
them. The plan exceeded all expsc-
tations. for instead of the one basket
planned there were two. Then there
was a beautiful potted plant and a
beautiful Easter dress for the little
cripple.
Mary took her place on the play
grounds, watching the children. Sud
denly a shrill whistle was sounded.
all gathered in the swimming pool.
OF course, it was dry. Mary's eyes
grew bigger. She didn't quite un-
derstand what was happening. Then
Earl walker stepped forth with the
Easter offerings. and formally pre-
sented them to her on behalf OF her
comrades. Her little face broke into
broad smiles. and her surprise was SO
great that she could just get out a
brief Thank you"
And then a mighty cheer went up
from the scores of little throats. as
they romped back to the apparatus
with light hearts and satisfaction OF
a sacrifice well offered.