The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, December 21, 1901, Page 11, Image 11
THE 00 TRIER 11 Christmas ,., ibomc for tbc jf ricnoless S.uely housed in the home for the friendless, on the outskirts of Lincoln. the -.reat stute of Nebraska has seven ty-! ie vigorous, healthy children, and from the preparations now being made it is safe to predict that each one will h:i a rollicking, mirthful Christinas with a joyous New Year as a happy ending for a week of festivity. Presents for all will be loaded on a UrRf Christmas tree. While an effort will be made to give each child some toktn of regard, the tree itself is the Mibject of the most comment among the homeless ones sheltered by the state and in their childish minds the gifts form a minor consideration. Turkey, cranberries, all the fabled delights of a Christmas dinner, will be supplied on the proper day. The little ones have been allowed to write to such friends and relatives as they possess describing tin- slhMiinn ...i wre will be visitors in great number iWubtless, for a child may be in this institution and still have some very lining and solicitous friends. Sometimes one parent dies, and the remaining one is not iinancially able to maintain a home. In such a case the children may be received at the institution founded by the state and .1 weekly sum paid for their support. Distant relatives may also have their unfortunate kin carefully taken care of and educated, paying in return what they can afford. In no case does the superintendent of tile home require more than ?5 a month to be paid. When orphans are left destitute and penniless, they are adopted as wards of the state. After receiving culture. education and training they may be provided with homes among charitably inclined people. Should the little ones prove congenial after a trial of four months, they can be legally adopted in case the families decide to rear and rare for them. As a rule, very little is said by the superintendent and her assistants about presents. Hopes aroused in the breasts of the little mites, and even the larger inmates, might lead to cruel disappointments. For, after all, how few of of the philanthropic ever think of donating a little gift to bring joy to the heart of some homeless ones after they have supplied the wants of their own children. Santa Claus. as an abstract being. Is well known at the home for the friend less, and occasionally a stray missive is directed to him on the days allotted for letter writing. Beneath a tangled mass of golden curls the following ap peal to Santa Claus was conceived not tr.ii ny days ago: "Dear Santa Claus: "I anf one of a whole lot of little girls at a big house in Lincoln. I watched for a big doll last Christmas, but I got another present. Of course you didn't have any left when you got to my ward. Maybe they'll be one this year after you see all the other little girls who want dolls. If there is, won't you give it to me? I am six years old and ha e wanted a doll for ever so long. "Truly yours. Hut in all probability Santa Claus w'ill miss the little one again this year. Legislators and politicians do not like such expense items as would be scheduled if requests like that of the little author were granted. To be sure, the golden haired girl has a papa, but he relinquished all claim on his child the day that he was taken to another state institution so easily reached by taking the South Tenth street car line. There is also a boy who wants a drum. Tin dishes, blocks, soldiers, and many other delights of childhood would be appreciated by the little ones. But just the same, the general good time will help them forget the unat tainable, while some slight token of regard will remove many of the pangs of disappointment caused by not re ceiving some coveted article. Already the gaiety of Christmas week has commenced at the home. For each year especial exercises In which the homeless wards of the state participate iti-int isitois from all parts of the city. Last night there was a brilliant cantata, the proceeds being Intended for establishing a reading room for boys. A small admission fee was charged and the inmates of the home were trained to take parts in the fol lowing program: PAKT ONE. Scene 1. Chorus of Gnomes. Scene 2. Christmas In the Home. Scene 3. Approach of Santa Claus. Scene ". Christmas morning. Cast. Santa Claus. Johnny May; Ktta Dewey. Mamma; Jlrst gnome, sec ond gnome third gnome, fourth gnome. I'AKTTWO. Scene 1. I'arlor In Maude's house. Scene 2. Santa Claus" realm. Scene 3. The discovery of the beg gar. Cast. Dorothy, a poor girl: Maude, a rich girl; Ada. Kdith. Jean. Agnes, Kva, friends of Maude's. A chorus of good and evil spirits. All the training pf the characters in the cantata was done by the teachers. A Lincoln business man loaned the lumber for the stage and the curtain was borrowed from the alumni of the city high school. Everything went off with vim and dash, the crowd was large and the proceeds satisfactory. In the home two large dormitories furnish quarters for the girls and boys. Besides there is a kindergarten for the babies. Teachers are furnished, there are chapel exercises and Sunday school. In the way of instruction the pupils rank with the scholars of equal age In the city schools. The institution was founded in ISiG. Homeless children, unfortunate wo men and feeble old ladies were taken in. The society Incorporated under the laws of the state and continued the work of relieving suffering. In live years the inmates had Increased to such an extent that the state provided $3,000 for a permanent building. Ap propriations are now made by the leg islature and the work Is greatly helped by the contributions of the charitably inclined. The wine auditing system In vogue In all the other state Institutions Is used In the home for the friendless. Cleanliness and tidiness are rigorously maintained by the employes and the sanitary conditions are excellent. Every effort Is made to soften the lot of the wards of the state. Mrs. Sohus Is superintendent. Dr. May Flanagan Is the medical adviser. A Iileiini.il appropriation of $11,000 is made by the state for thf maintenance of the liouif. An advisory and visiting board com posed of vc women, prominent In i,. ligious and charitable work, h.iv Min eral control of the home for the Mind less. The n ambers of the board aie: Mrs. H. J. W. Seamark, pr.-ddent; Mrs. H. S. Freeman, secretary: Mrs. A. H. Weir. Mrs. W. M. Morning. Mrs. llemsuorth. X -X- The Season's Youngest Star that Gtorge. t t- y.iung actress who stars in Brady's magnificent produc tion of "Tnder Southern Skies." Is scoring a brilliant success this season. She is said to be the youngest genuine woman star in the theatrical constellation f7 CK if iw3FS X SEHffilP I THE PROGRESSIVE STORE ffijfeqjcL f Only 2 Buying Days and then Christmas HHfBP You recollect the crowded condition of the stores the few days preceding Christmas last year, and what difficulty there was in making your w selections. There are even greater crowds this year, and we cannot urge too strongly the advisability of buying afternoons jp when trading can be done leisuiely. This great store is in holiday attire, and our prices are absolutely M7 lowest. There is positive! nothing t be gained by waiting; prices will not be lower later. km A Few of the Great Special Bargains Leather Goods at Half A Great Xmas Opportunity One of the largest Leather Goods Manu facturers in Hoboken, Xew Jersey, dissolve partnership the 1st of January, 1902. To clean up their stock they sold us an immense lot of regular goods made to sell at 50c and Sl.OO each. The lot con-ists of Purses, Combination Pocket Books and Caul Cases, Finger Purses, Shopping Bags, Boston Bags, Chatelaine Bags, Card Cases, Music Bolls, Wrist Bags, etc., in all styles of leather, including Seal, "Walrus. Morocco, Alligator. Plain and Mounted Effects. It's a great chance, and only once in a lifetime to buy your Xmas Leather Goods Presents at One-half Price. LOT 1, WORTH TO 50c, FOB 25c AVOItTII TO Sl.OO fll ' FOR Jj) Fancy China, Etc. Elegant values in beautiful French China Plates, 50c, 75c, Sl.OO, 1.25, to S.50. Carlsbad China Bread and Butter and Dessert Plates, 10c to Sl.OO each. This elegant China Tea Cup and Saucer, in fine Jap ware, Sl.OO. 200 styles of Cups and Saucers to select from, 10c to S2.50. Fancy After Dinner Coffee Cups and Saucers, an immense variety, 25c and 35c Beer Steins. 50c, 75c, Sl.OO to G.00. I "N S55 -. -L