Evening star., 1928-12-25
MANY UNFORTUNATES VISITED.
NAMES SENT TO SANTA CLAUS
Charity Worker. on Tour of Poor Sections.
Spreads Christmas Cheer and Lists
Families In Distress.

ing through corridors from which the
plaster had fallen and from which rib
bons of cid wall paper gave a final
| stamp of decay, the worker stood before
door in back nall She raped and
then entered. A very small room COIL
tained an oil stove, dingy table and
a double bed upon which lay a woman
fully dressed, and small boy. The
woman apologized for not arising. IT
felt SO bad" she said, Il just lay down
minute with Johnny, He's been sick
for some time, but he's better now"
she added optimistically.
i just came by to see If you had any
thing for JoElnny's Christmas" explain
ed the worker I'm afraid Johnny
amt goin' to have much Christmas this
year." the mother replied. MY hus-
band can't find work and my wages
barely cover the rent and little food"
The visitor made q note In a book.
I'VE will see that Johnny has something
for Christmas, she said, land also that
you all have some Christmas dinner.
Merry Christmas to you, Johnny" she
called to the pale little boy In the bed
as she left the room, passed down the
rickety stairs and out the front door
into the sunshine which flooded the
street.
Proud ExteriOrs Hide Squalor.
Walking rapidly, she came to a Sec
ton of the town which breathed of
stately and prosperous past. Old houses
of brick and SGone, masterpieces of the
architects of bygone day, denied by
their proud eXteriorS the sQualor which
they hid within. The charity worker
entered one of these fine old buildings
which had been converted into a room
ing house. She knocked at door on
the second floor and upon response
TO come in" she entered the two-room
home of the occupants tired little
seanlstress, who was trying to make
dress for an older daughters Christmas,
trim a Scrawny tree for three younger
children, and cook the midday meal,
while drunken husband lay sprawled
out on a bed in the corner. There was
no apology for the huSband-it was a
daily occurrence, and SO long as he re-
manned quiet there were no complaints
Only it was difficult problem to sup
port family of four on the wages spas
medically earned by a seamstress.
Therefore the charity workers offer to
send box for the Christmas dinner
was accepted.
Before you leave the building" said
tAAO oSoHkotACoS, plShSC ~ tluOuBI btle
back alley and up the stairs to a room
on the second floor There is an old
woman living there who has had moth
ing to eat for one week except some
string beans which were given to her by
peddling vegetable man." Despite her
own cares this little seamstresS had been
stirred by the misfortune of one worse
off than herself
Hears Her Story.
The charity worker found the old
woman. Again she heard the story of
mo work" for the husband, who was
out walking the streets in search of a
temporary job which might bring in
few pennies for a Christmas dinner.
Making a note of the case, the charity
worker promised assistance and with
well wishes for the approaching feast
day, she resumed her tour of charity
The charity w$rker found many such
cases in the course OF her days visit
ing. Homes with little children and not
enough to eat. Sometimes, old people
whose closing days were Sladowed by
hardships never known in prosperous
youth None of these people were the
ordinary subjects of charity.