Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-25
CHRISTMAS AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
A Happy Time Around q Christmas Tree in
the Library.

Happy Time Around q Christmas Tree in
the Library.
TOYS AND BEAUTIFUL aIrrs FOR BENJAMIN AND
MARY M'KEE-PREsENTs FOR THE PRESIDENT
AND MRS. HARRISON AND OTHER MEMBERS OF
THE HoUsEBoLD--A PLEASANT FAMILY GATH
ER1NG.
The footing Of tin horn in q series Of more
or less musical notes was the signal for the
commencement of the Christmas celebration at
the White House this morning shortly after 10
clock. When Mrs. Dimmick blew this juve-
nile instrument, faces came smiling from every
door all around her in the corridor upstairs.
and soon al the members of the presidential
family had assembled in laughing procession.
At the head of it was the President and DIR.
Scott, Master Benjamin and pretty little Mary
Mckee. stream of light shone from the lib
rary door and away in the corner of that his
torie apartment Siistened like a thousand stars
the Christmas tree. The subsequent proceed
inSs wOuld interest all the world could the roof
OF the White House have been lifted off and
everybody had Il chance to peep in.
AROUND THE TREE.
On table near the tree were copies of Mas
ter Benjamin's address and the invocation to
the Christ-child, both the inspiration of the
children's governess-Fr Frauein Hampe These
were handed about. and while the little ones
spoke In German their audience was Just as
appreciative as il every word was understood.
Alter this formal part Of the program every
body had chance to inspect their gifts. The
children found theirs--toys of all sorts and
kinds-arranged around on the floor under
their tree. One side devoted to Mary's gifts
had full set Of baby doll furniture. with baby
dolls, lady dolls and boy dolls, a piano,
kitchen outfit and quantity of other feminine
n fbp nf l.ah, dow, tvhtl
Jamin had steam engine, n couple of trains of
cars, full suit OF armor, books, pictures and
all manner Of things to tickle boyish fancy,
GIFTS FOR MRS. HARRISON.
On a table near by were Mrs. Harrisons gifts.
1t was like a brides collection. and all the
members of her family, as well as many promi-
nent persons all over the country, were repre-
sented by valuable tokens. Even while she
was admiring them others were arriving-a
beautiful cabinet and box of potatoes, from
the ideal to the real. so to speak, were among
the articles that came too late to be classified.
The potatoes came all the way from Salt Lake
City. and the smallest one of them would weigh
from three to four pounds. One of the Muir
phys from Mormondom was shown to the Presi-
dent and exhibited among his gifts. Some Of
the Others will grace the Christmas dinner along
with the usual accompanimentsS Is Steward Mckim
has SO literally provided tor the feast.
1hree or four other tables held presents for
the President, Mrs. Mckee. DR.. Scott, Mrs.
Dimmick, Lieut.. and Mrs, Parke: and all the
other was to give and the surprises and pleas
nres would make long story. DIR. Scott felt
his youth renewed in entering into all the
sports OF the children, and they in turn did not
enjoy any OF their toys or presents until he had
passed approval Of them.
THE HOUSEHOLD.
The family spent a very jolly hour together
and the clerical force. Mr.. Halford, Mr.. Pru-
den. Mr.. Tibbets and Mr.. Montgomery, were all
in to see the fun, as were also Capt. Dinsmore,
MIR. Turner and Sergeant johnson, who es-
capped by turns from minding the big front
door down stairs Mr.. /. H. Hoover. the
White House electrician, treated the company
to delightful surprise by weaving in one cor
ner OF the room cobweb and q spider. Of
course the web was silver wire and the red
body of the spider had an electric light burn
ing behind it. The effect was perfect.
All the servants took part in the celebration,
and Benjamin and Mary had a present for
them. Jerry, who is the light comedian of the
mansion, kept up his reputation for fun and
caused the President to utter the only apology
he will have to make today. When Jerry
wished him the compliments of the season the
Presldent told him how much he regretted not
being able to present to him his favorite deli
cacy, pOssum, and, amid roars of laughter
Jerry responded that he had nothing agin q
turkey. 1t was regarded as fortunate thing
also that Jerry wore his red nccktie today as
the sparkling diamond in the middle of it
helped to dispers0 the gloom in the dark cor
ners Of the house.
The President yesterday presented to each
employe of the house an order for turkey or
pair Of gloves Mrs. Harrison added to this
by personal gift.
Mr.. Russell Harrison came on from New York
this morning and was at the White House in
time to cat breakfast with his parents. A tele-
gram was received from Mr.. Nc kee from Jersey
City, showing that he was that far on his jour
ney, and II no further delays we're encountered
he Will get here in ample time to enjoy the best
part of the day with his wife and children.
=, The pretty little address prepared by Mary
Mckee is as follows:
"Grossmama Dir Gottes Segen.
Click Und Freund Auf Alien Weggen,
Ind Gesundheit aller best
Zu dem schOnen Weihnachtfcst"
surprise awaited the President when his
young grandson proudly presented The frat
specimen of his penmarsbip. executing with
infinite labor tine following address. which he
declaimed with appropriate gestures and quaint
little bows:
"Meinen Grospapa dem lieben.
Hat dies NerscLen ich Gcschrieben,
Dass er zn dem heilgeu Christ,
Hict Won mir beschenket ist,
Lu der schoncn weihnachtszeir,
Del sIch ale welterfreut.
ufsch len ulr GishellSGn Christ,
Tausend tahre Leubus first,
Viele Freuden Obdendrien
Will dem ieber tCngescin"
Miss Mary Morton had her Christmas tree
party last evening. Today the Vice President
and Mrs Morton ate dinner with their five
daughters and few friends.
THE CABINET.
Secretary Blaine and Mrs. Blaine will have n
late dinner, at which there will be present Miss
Hattie Blaine, James G. Blaine, ir., and Mr.
and Mrs. Walter Damrosch.-Secre,ar
Eikins spent his Christmas with his family
at El.ins. w. Va.-Secretary Tracy,
Mrs. Wilmerdins and Miss Alice viii
merding formed a qniet family party
at their residence on X street-Secre-
tary Noble and his wife had IS their only guests
the Misses iialsted, the sisters OF Mrs
Noble.--Secretary, Mrs. and Miss Foster
spent the day quietly. They dined together
for the first time since the Sccre-
tary's Enthusiastically and Mrs. Rusk
will have the principal officers of the
Agricultural Department at dinner with them
tonight.-Attorney General and Mrs. Miller.
their two daughters and their son hsd an old
fashioned Indiana Christmas dinner altogether,
-Postmaster General Wanamaker celebra ted
Christmas at Lindenhurst, his country place
near Philadelphia, with the members Of his
ga ,1vr