Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-03-17
WHITE HOUSE FUN.
memorable Day for the Presi.
dents Grandson.
THE YOUTHFUL MKEE IN BREEoHEs

noy's Costume for the First Time. and
the Executive Mansion Decorated for
tho birthday Occasion - Fourteen
uns''ers Sit Down to n BANQUET
The Virginia Reel Led by the Prc.i-
dents Wife.
WASHINGTON CITY, March H.-Young
benjamin Harrison Mckee celebrated his
fourth birthday yesterday afternoon by a
party to which fourteen young compan.
ions were invited. The occasion was rem
dered doubly memorable by the appear
ance of the infant host in his first pair of
breeches, the proud hero of the hour being
arrayed In costume of black velvet
knlckerbockers, white null shirt double
ruffie of lace with deep lace collar and
cuffs. Mary Mckee wore white muslin
dress ornamented with blue shoulder
knots, and gracefully assisted in doing
the honors. The parlors were thrown
open and brilliantly illuminated with
electricity, and the long corridor was
decked with palms and other tropical
plants.
Led to Dinner by the President.
AT o'clock the young guests were well
coined in the blue room by Mrs. Harrison.
Mrs. Mckee and Mrs. Russell Harrison,
with Mrs. Dimmick and the little host.
and shortly afterward adjourned to the
private dining room, where a BANQUET
was spread. The procession was led nv
the president with Baby Mckee, now pro-
NOTED to the dignity of boyhood. and
followed by Master Kilbourne Gordon.
with Mary Lodge Mckee. Placed around
the hower-decked board in the center of
the private dining room were fifteen high
chairs, the central ornamentation being n
plat OF ferns crossed with American flags
in pink and white blossoms. At each
plate was placed rustic basket filled
with French bon-bons.
The VI emu and the Toast
The menu included bouillon; biscuits
made expressly for the occasion by n Rail
timore baker in the true Maryland style.
beaten and raised without Yeast powder
and IN the designs of tiny chicks with
outspread wings; jelly cake, and ice
cream served in pink hampers tied with
red, white and blue ribbons In addit' ON
each child was presented with n ribbon
bound stick upon the end of which was
fastened cluster of snow balls timed
with sleigh bells that tinkled as they
shook. The toast, Health, Happiness
and Prosperity TO the Young Host was
proposed by the 4-year-old son of Gen.
breckenridge, to which the entire COM
pauy responded in sparkling burners of
Potomac water
Mrs. Harrison Leads the Dance.
The marine band, stationed in the con-
servatory, played the Toy" symphony
composed by Professor Sousa. The great
event of the afternoon, however. was the
dance in the corridor, to which the happy
band adjourned upon the completion of
the meal, each ornamented with tissue
paper cap evolved from the contents of the
oon-bon boxes, and jingling the fancy
batons capped with tiny bells. The band
then struck up the familiar strains of -
good old Virginia reel, which was led -,
Mrs. Harrison and Mary Lodge.
Tripped the Light Fantastic.
Up and down the corridor danced the
lady of the White House followed bv her
merry troupe of grandchildren and their
young companions, as the inspiring music
marked the gi1dy measure in which also
Joined Mrs. Mckee, Mrs. Russell Harri.
son. Miss Breckenridge and Miss War
field as partners in the line until, like all
things, the measure came at length TO an
end, and the happy jewellers, cloaked and
hooded, left the bright scene.
Some of the Guests Present.
Those present included the children of
General Breckenridge, Frank Gordon,
DR.. Lloyd Magruder, Dr. Gardner. Mr..
Adee. Mrs Burke, Mrs. Goodwin and
Mrs. Wilson, of New York. In addition
were number of older persons, includ-
ing Mrs. General G.. b. Williams, Mrs.
Noble and the Misses Halstead, Miss Jes-
sic Miller, Mrs Frank Groton, Mrs. Will
son. of New York, Mrs. and Miss Langen.
and last but by no means least the veneer
able DR.. Scott, who, although in his SD
year. enjoyed the occasion with all the
enthusiasm of boy.