Evening star., 1923-12-25
yULE BRINGS 10Y
T0ORPHANS OF DC.
FroIiC Among Decorated
Trees at Institutions
Marks Festivity.

If Charles Dickens could have peeped
into Washingtons orphanages and
homes for children this morning he
would have been the happiest man in
the world, for in marked contrast to
the conditions he once knew. there ex-
listed in these institutions a Christmas
spirit that would be hard to match in
any of the city's residences.
At an early hour hundreds of small
boys and girls, after more or less
sleepless night, hurried through break
fast, and in some cases endured" short
religious services to the breaking point,
TO rush into assembly rooms, frolc
around large and beautifully decorated
trees. scream and clamor for gifts from
Santa's very hands and then proclaim
to the world how beautiful and won
derful it all was.
The superintendents Of these institu-
tions; in conjunction with governing
boards and auxiliaries. were gratified
this morning over the results Of their
many weeks of preparation.
no attempt will be made to draw
comparisons among the many cele-
prationS because they were all at the
peak: - Guletide spirit was over
moving INTO the streets.
At st Johns Episcopal Orphanage
awake before the signal was sounded
for rising. Brief chapel services fol-
lowed and then breakfast. Somehow.
the breakfast wasn't enjoyed very
didn't feel like eating. For their
health's sake. however. it was neces-
sary that they have some nourish
ment. Then the order to form in
line before the library was given.
The doors were thrown open. The
sight that met $50 eyes as they gazed
upon eighty bulging red stockings
hanging from the wall and upon
the stockings wouldn't hold. could
only be appreciated by person look
ing through those eyes
Everybody has been so kind" said
the superintendent. "and the girls
from the Adams and Columbia teIe-
phone exchanges have sent the
children hGge some wonderful ;a,. presents"
Asylum. one. hundred and fortyfour
little girls, "and all of them WE'LL"
went to bed early this morning after
attending midnight mass. Despite the
shortage of few hours from their
regular sleep, they were at the break
fast table at the appointed hour. And
such presents those little ladies re-
ceived in the assembly hall after the
morning meal, and were they happy?
Why their laughter and cries of JOY
could be heard down on Rhode Island
avenue. 1t was not Subdued until
1l:15 o'clock when an immense tur-
key dinner was served.
Racket Mt ST. Joseph's.
And the eighty-seven boys at st.
Joseph's Orphan Asylum certainly
stirred up racket in the vicinity OF
9th and ii streets. They. too, had to
sing carols in chapel early this morn
Ing; had to eat breakfast against
their wishes and put up with all Sorts
of delays (they imagined) before the
doors of their playrooms We're opened
and beautifully lighted trees loaded
and surrounded with presents wished
them Merry Christmas"
The German Orphan Asylum cele-
brated Christmas last night. Santa
arriving at O'Clock and bringing to
the children d genuine German
Christmas. Tonight the little one will
20 to the First Reformed Church.
where another celebration awaits
them. They. like the other institu-
auxliaries.
Many inmates of other homes and
orphanages were allowed to spend
the day with relatives and friends
while others received these persons
at the institutions. So far today
there were no idle moments. and as
surance has been given that today
and tonight will be the fullest
Christmas many Of the children have
ever experienced. Superintenuents
and directors of the many orphan
ages and homes were loud in praising
the help they received from the OUT
side. Gifts by the wagonload poured
into all these places. and presents
ranging from little trif1es (to be used
as stocking fillers) to expensive ar
ticies. were included in Santa Claus
work