Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-01-05

Jan must throw open the doors of the ex-
ecutive mansion and Of all the mansions of
the cabinet ministers. Official society gathers
in full force every New Years at the White
House. to see and be seen, to pay and accept
pretty compliments, to exchange admiring
g.ances and whispered criticisms 1t is "a great
day for the florist. tire dressmakrr, the debu-
tante. tho diplomat and Mrs. G.Nlldy.
Early in the morning preparations begin in
the White House Cut flowers are carried
from the conservatory and displayed in the
Red room, the Blue room, the corridors,
everywhere The vestibule is <reen with
palms and foliage plants, The circular drawn
In the center of the great East room is covered
with neatly draped table, bearing roses and
crysanthemuns The window recesses arc
banks of flowers Everywhere are bright
coiors, set of with leaves of deepest green
Everywhere the Mrs. Cleveland crysanthe-
mum, with its snow white blossoms, fine
quilted petals and somewhat ragged edges,
mods and bends as the busy worklnen bring
beauty after beauty from the conservatory
to give the great stiff apartments bright
ness which they do not see many times in the
course of year.
Up stairs Mrs. Cleveland Is early astr and
In pretty little worry about her dress and
her hair. Even the president is affected by
the unwcnted futter, and in vain tries to
steal of to his work room n few moments to
look over tho morning mail. He is sum
nIarily called back to his private room and
his toilet while laughing at Col Lamonts
joke about TIE increasing girth Of the presi-
dents waistband, and the growing probabl-
ity of a failure in the old garments to suffice
1t Is uudeniable that the president is CROWN.
fat Lack If exercise is steadily adding to
his avoirdupois But he has no tine for joker
with the colonel or the cares Of state, for he
must be ready to descend the stairs at II
sharp
little before II the members Of the cahi.
net and their wives and daughters arrive In
carriages Some Of them go up stairs to es-
cort the president and Mrs Cleveland; others
take up position In the Blue parlor The
clock strikes II II Sousa shakes his baton;
the famous Marine band, stationed in the
vestbule, ellis the great mansion with mel
ody and then all eyes are turned to the stairs
at the west end Of the corridor. Down these
stairs comes a notable company-the presi-
dent, Hrs. Cleveland, the master Of ceremo-
mics, Col John n Wilson; bis assistant, Col
Duval, several of the members of the cabinet
and their wives. 1t is a pretty picture they
make in the slow and stately descent
In the Blue parior there arc brief greetings
The president is surrounded by his ministers,
Mrs Cleveland by the ladies Of her court
Positions are soon taken, and backward
glance shows the republics reigning sover-
eign and queen, fanked by large assemblage
of beautiful women, elegantly attired; hand
some men, who are graceful even in the plain
and simple clothing which custom prescribes
for American courtiers. 1t is court to be
proud Of, and Mrs Cleveland, grown little
larger and more wonanly since her last New
Years levee, rests her eye fondly for q mo-
ment upon the brilliant background Of the
picture n which she herself is one Of the
handsomest figures
Now the scene changes The Marine band
strikes up medley in which the airs of all
nations are. heard. the doors between the
vestibule and the corridors are thrown open,
and In file the diplomatic corps In fun uni
form. One after another 10 presented to the
president and his wife and the members Of
the cabine: circle by the dean Of the corps,
assisted BY Co.'s. Wilson and Duval. An
nations BIZ, England ,spresented There