Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-12-16


written down in tine annals of history.
Perhaps if you, like we, had stepped
! out Of the busy radiance Of the shop
ping district into the slums of Phila-
delphia you would never have given us
a second glance ut all.
Salvation Army workers, like tho
poor, are plentiful. One of us was
Major Jennie Ward, head of the Set
tlemcnt House of the Salvation Army
at 236 South Sixth street. The
otLer wore the blue bonnet and cloak
as brief experiment for day.
The journey will never be set down
in history, that is certain. But some
I times things that never touch important
printed pages at all last longer in the
| memory.
The little nameless faces that pressed
! at those windOwpanes of Gaskill street
| and hoped "Sunta Claus'' would not
pass them by.
Lewis, whose father had broken his
legs two months ago and could promise
nothing, warming his little hands over
the fires Of his own Christmas spirit.
Katie. red haired and bright eyed,
"
sets for Christmas.
Giovanni--His mother had said warm
stockings would be best.
The main object Of our trip was 10
distribute cards which upon prcsenta-
ton at the main headquarters of the
Salvation Army at Broad street and
Fairmount avenue will cntitle their
bearers TO Christmas baskets and toys.
Reward In Lads Ewes
Did you ever see little boys eyes
suddenly shine like twin Christmas
candles? Then you can visualize some-
thing OF the JOY OF doing this.
1t was little Frank C.'s eyes which
first shone like this. TO find his home it
was necessary TO turn into a courtway
that turned darkly in itself from
Christian street. High above between
shabby buildings of indefinite color there
showed a ribbon OF sky. Many little
homes lined this cOurtway. Bright pink
and blue clothes, the only spots Of
color, spanned it on clothes lines. 1t
Is necessary TO go TO such place TO
believe that anything like it exists in
Philadelphia.
Frank was alone when Major Ward
wiped her feet on the rope mat and
knocked gently at the door. The room
was SO dark that for moment l did
not see child there at all. The major
saw him, though, over by the stove. He
saw her. too. and gave the checriest,
manifest ''Iiow do you do?" that ever
had tho good fortune TO come from q
nine -year-old many times his better.
He knew her and loved her. That
was easy TO SEQ. | decided after that
1t was because Major Ward wiped her
feet and knocked SO thoughtfully at
those houses Of the poor that she had
established herself so firmly In their
confidence.
Boy Cooks While Mother Works
Frank explained that he was cooking
his lunch because his mother was away
at work. He said he thought it was
soup. but Major Ward, peering into
the little saucepan on the stove, dis
covered he was going to have beans.
They were not for himself alone but for
his three brothers who would shortly
be coming in from school, he said. No,
papa was no longer here, he explained
to his visitors as he vigorously stirred.
He had left mama. He lifted up his
little pan to see that the fire was
still going. Some families throw away
after thew have finished meal. as many
beans as clung to the bottom and sides
VI tHuI pull
He was nine, he volunteered. Didn't
Major Ward remember? His face
beamed all over when he knew she did.
He had wonderful mother, he thought.
Wouldn't the other lady. too. like to
come in and see the bedroom?
Two double beds were placed end to
end completely covering the hoor space
of the room except for tiny avenue at
the side. Covering them were huge
feather beds made OF ticking.
Jamie sleeps here" he said, throw.
ing his little body over the bed and
pointing with his finger to be sure we
understo 1. Harry sleeps over on that
side and .Scf;n the middle"
His hair was blond, his eyes blue,
and he wore little sweater. lie moved
to the next bed. Mother sleeps up
here at the top and little Helen next to
her. and then down at the bottom Char
lie-he sleeps
There were pieces OF lace curtain on
the window, and although it was almost
dark in that tiny two room home you
could see that the floor had been |
scrubbed patiently clean.
Boy of Nine Worldly Wise
'"The rents nine and quarter he
1t seemed strange to have
him nine and know 80 definitely Lies |
wogk sings. IT was .pp- the FaxpVtsthat. 4