Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1886-12-27
XMAS EVE At WHITNEY'S.
THE NAVAL SECRETARY MAKES SEW
ENTY LITTLE ONES HAPPY.

Bancroft. t,e Historian. Among the
Youngsirr, Present - Phil Sheriduu's
latest Captures a Tin Trumpet, Much
to His ptfdy'~ DeIishtC}-A Impur-
tant Patent Deeision-The silver Ger
tifcates.
WAsHiygToN Cry. Dee. q. Secretary
an Ms. Whitney gave the champion
Christmas tree party for their children Fri
day afternoon, and seventy children shared
the pleasure with the three young Whtneys
Many grown peopl beside the parents OF the
lucky children were asked, 50 that il was
almost double party Mrs Whitney re
rcived the guests IN the front drawing-room
III = charming tea-gown of pale blue satin
and cream brocade covered with large bou-
queis Of flowers. The portiereS to the large
ball room were closely fastened, but whom
all the npany had come and O'Clock had
struck the curtains parted and revealed
fairylaud. The great, shining tree reached
to the ceiling Of the ballroom, and was 50
cogereS with strings of silver and gold and
copper balls silver images, stars and toys,
ant clou Is OF tinsal, and scores of candles
that no one could sea The original branches
Of foliage
The little citorSters from st. Johns sang
Christmas Iarols, while the children walked
admiringly arouud the tree Miss Howard
and Mss Howell; assisted Secretary Whit
ney in giving each child two paper numbers,
and rs those numbers were called the bows
on one side of the tree nj the girls on the
other had a rain Of beautiful gifts that only
4 fairy goGmother could have provided. The
girls h ii little breastpins, rings, bracelets.
NlnaiEfcttcs. fans, wurk-boXes. handker-
chiefs, and photograph eases, perfume cases,
AMI the most Ingenious devices in pretty
bon-bon boxes. The bows had knives, wins
ties, TOPS, drums Tains. Willingness and IN
Vulnerable things Al had ccrnucopias of
candy and big favors thar held tissue-paper
costumes. IN when thev danced mcrrily after
ar the numbers were called and the candles
were slowly snulYed ut with a wet sponge
"n Folr, They danced. snapped their
crackers, hleH their horns. and hal rrq-
al =ool TINS tili supper time Some
Youngsters were 5, flied with glee that they
r=lrci to corners AMI silently husged their
treasures
tlrs. Cleveland was prevented from attend
with Mrs. Lamont, and later went home
with drs Folsom. Secretary and Mrs
Manning, bIr. and Mrs. Endicott, and Post
master General and Mrs. Villas represented
the cabinet. Mr.. George Bancroft claimed
to BE- tie oldest bay at the party, and taxed
Secretary Whitney with forgetting to hang
something On the tree for him A number
Of the diplomatic corps were present, and
declared That even in Germany the tree and
group OF lovely little ones could not be sur
pass 4. General and Mrs Sheridan
brought their three little girls and tie
TINY Philip Sheridan, who drew a tin
trumpet and blew it Ike a born cavairvman
to has fathers apparent pleasure Col and
Mrs Bonapar;e. Senator and Mrs. Dolph,
Senator and Mrs MCPHERSON, Mrs. John P.
jones, Maj j " Tucker, Mrs. John Hay,
Mrs NieholaS Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Letter.
Lieut.. and Mrs Emery, Mrs. George B.
boring, zen. Haz-n, Ar David King. Mrs.
L. L Hit, and Mrs Cockrsll were among
t'- elders present