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You all remember the letter from Lydia Hargreaves and Lulu Ruckstuhl,
which appeared in Our Post-office Box No. 111. Here is an acknowledgment
of your answer to that appeal:
DEAR "YOUNG PEOPLE,"--We know you are all anxiously waiting to hear
about the Christmas tree at the Home for the Innocents, so we will
try and write a nice long letter, and thank you for the many gifts
that we have received--for we did receive a great many gifts; we
had no idea when we wrote that there were so many kind little boys
and girls who read the paper. Monday morning we went out early to
the Home, and found some kind ladies, and together with them we
dressed the tree with the ornaments you had sent; then around under
it we placed the dolls and toys and books. The tree was beautiful,
and although the room was small, it showed off very well. In the
afternoon the children came marching in, singing "Onward, Christian
soldiers." They have two or three little boys that sing so sweetly.
But they could hardly finish their song, so eager were they in
watching the tree. After a short prayer, the children were each
asked, "Now, what will you have?"
After the children were supplied--and there was an abundance, as
you were all so liberal; even the little ones in their nurses' arms
had their arms full of dolls--Sister Emily, who is the matron, and
has another small school where she teaches poor children--took some
of the toys, and fixed a tree for them. These poor little children
were dumb when they saw the tree. One little girl, when they handed
her a doll, said, "Oh, dolly! dolly!" and she did not look at
anything else the whole evening but her doll. I wonder if you were
all as happy on Christmas as that little girl. I hope so.
Little Bertha R. always calls the paper HARPER'S YOUNG FAMILY. We
think you are the nicest family we ever heard of. If some little
boy or girl does not find his or her name below, please don't feel
slighted, for we have tried to put all the names down, and you may
be sure your package was received and appreciated by some poor
child.
Wishing you a Happy New Year, we are yours lovingly,
LULU G. and LYDIA B.
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.
Packages were received from Harper & Brothers; Susie Benedict; Fred
and Arthur D.; Alice Paige; Maud Duling; Grace Stephens; Fanny
Young; Maggie Buch; Annie Lewis; Morril Dunn; Eva Cunningham; Rose
Ella Carhart; W. and A. Burke; John and Daisy Cunningham; Lottie,
Warren, and Alice Lockwood; Rona R. and "Little Gertrude"; Justin,
Tommy, and Isaac Andersen; Jennie and Annie Petman; Willie H.
Hazard; Helen McCoy; "Aunt Edna"; Kenneth Murdock; Dolly; May and
Tom Barron: Mollie, Effie, and Myrtle Bakewell; Josie Ulmer;
L. V. H.; Maud and Lillie Hench; L. H. S. and T. B. S.; Carrie;
Nora and Bell; Nellie Portis; Jessie Whitehurst; Daisy; Mortimer
Hambem; Louisa L. Tatten; Willie Needham; Mrs. Annie J. Post and
Charlie J. Post; Louis Bryant, a check for $1; an unknown friend,
$1; Winnifred and Mac Allen; Mrs. T. A. C.; Murray Boyer; Charlie
and Willie Patrick; and a package from Canada.
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