The Washington times., 1894-12-25
SOCIAL SAYINGS AND DOINGS.

Christmas day in the White House will be
quietly spent by the President 8 family, so far
as outside visitors are concerned. So far as
the children are concerned it will be a gala
occasion, as they are now both old enough to
appreciate the fact that an avalanche of toys
and gifts OF every description has been show
cred upon them by persons known and un-
known alike to fame and to their parents.
Dinner will be served late, in the private din
ing-room- Mrs Perrine, who is at present
visiting Mrs. Cleveland, will be present, and
add by her society to the pleasure Of the occa-
sion.
In tho private portion of the White House
there is an abundance OF decorations suitable
to the great Christian festival celebrated at
this time. There is holly and mistletoe with
garlands of crowsfoot, and Christmas stars
and wreaths ad libtum.
In the library the children's Christmas tree
is thing of gorgeous reality, but contrary 10
published accounts OF party on Christmas
afternoon there will be no invited company OF
the children of the Cabinet TO enjoy the pleas
ure of gazing at and admirng the tree on
which so much thought and care has been
lavished. The duty of putting the tree in
place and supplying il with the requisite
amount of glIstening ornaments always de-
wolves upon Mr.. Phster the Presidents gar
dener, who invariably proves himself equal
to the occasion in this as IN other matters of
decoration.
In addition to the many gistening balls
with which TIE tree Is decorated there is
showered over its branches a glistening mass
of fine tinsel thread that gives 1t the appear
ance OF having been sprinkled with sparks.
About the base of the tree are spread the
gifts whose bulk makes 1t inconyenient to
hang them upon tie branches. These, of
course, form fine array well calculated to
charm the hearts and catch the fancy of the
two little girls for whom they are intended.
The first thing this morning the children
will have the delight of inspecting the stock
ings hung for them by the chimney. so that
so far as they are concerned the day from the
start to the finish will be one of unalloyed de-
light
The Secretary of the Treasury and Mrs.
Carlisle have happy household with them
to celebrate Christmas, and Tor the purpose
OF adding TO their ordinary programme for
dinner will not have to 20 outside for guests
other tnan those now in the house. Their
son. William Carlisle. with his wife and three
children, has arrived from Chicago, and this
addition to the family circle will he further
enlarged by the presence of Mrs. Herndon, of
Alabama, who has been their guest for some
weeks. Last Christmas the gifts brought to
Washington by Mrs. Carlisle's oldest grand
daughter, her little namesake, Jane, were
made by the little girl herself who, shortly
before that time had taken the prize for nee
morning, when the family coma down to
breakfast. they viii find their Christmas pres
ents piled beside their respe tive places. For
the accommodation OF the many that could
not be placed upon the breakfast table, there
is reserved oneo} the side tables and the day
will be one of rejoicing generally, as the num-
Der OF gifts prepared Tor each by members Of
the family and friends outside has been very
large.
The Short Story Club will meet at The
Strathmore Arms, northwest corner of Elev-
enth and X streets northwest on Wednesday
evening, at 8 o'colck. Miss Gertrude V.
Wilmington will read a story. Members and
invited guests are requested TO be prompt in
attendance. that the exercises, which will be
OF a varied and interesting nature, may not
be Interrupted
Postmaster General and Mrs Bissell will
have with them at Christmas dinner the Sec
retaxy OF State and Mrs. Gresham. the latter
having recently returned from Chicago. For
the little daughter OF the house tire presents
sent IN from far and near have been enough
to almost start n toy shop. and apparently
| have left nothing to be desired on the part Of
the little lady for whose pleasure they have
| been selected. II she should be minded 10
set up doll show during the holidays, she
Will have abundant material at hand with
| which to start the enterprise.
The Secretary of War and Mrs. Lamont will
have quietly informal dinner to-day. Yes
/ terday afternoon the children, who for weeks
/ past have been preparing a treat for their
| parents, rendered a little French comedy in
the front drawing-room. In addition 10 the
! Secretary and Mrs. Lamont, the only spec
/ tators and auditors were Mrs. Cleveland,
| Ruth, and Mrs. Perrine For to-day there is
a fne large tree in the library upstairs,
where the three young daughters have spent
much time within the past few days getting
| everything in readiness, and little Frances
especially has been interested in providing
every facility for the advent Of Santa Claus
| during the night OF Christmas eve.
Attorney General and Mrs. Olney. with
Mrs. Minot and her young son, will spend
Christmas quietly. That is, the family will
endeavor to do so, but as Master Frank will
ind many things arranged for his acceptance,
! when he opens his eyes in the morning, for
which he has long sighed, there is likely 10
| be considerable hilarity on mis- part that will
last throughout the day.
Secretary and Mrs. Hoke Smith will give
their children a royal good time on Christmas
Day, after the good old Southern STYLE The
house will be decorated with Christmas
greens, and Christmas cheer will prevail
| from cellar to garret. The Secretary's par
ents, DR.. and Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Cobb,
mother of Mrs. Smith, are spending Christ
mas with the Secretary's family.
Secretary and Miss Herbert no less than
| Mr. and Mrs. Micou will endeavor to make
Christmas Day Of the present year memoir
| able one to the young son ofthe latter couple.
| The Christmas dinner will be served with the
accessory of every delightful dish that marks
the table on Christmas Day in the South.
| The Brazilian minister and Nine. de Men
donca will give their third musicale on the
evening OF tine 9th of January, from to II
| O'Clock.
Mrs Philip G. johnson and Miss johnson
have issued cards for a tea, from to 7
| O'Clock, on the afternoon of January at the
! Portland.
Miss Ella Richards, daughter OF Gov.
Richards, of Montana, will be the guest OF
Miss Mamie Stuart, of Capitol Hill, during
the holidays.
Several Christmas Eve Penalties-In the
police count yesterday William Stanton
was sent to- the grand jury in
$500 bonds for second offense petit
larceny, his latest theft being two bushels OF
corn from Shelton Harvey. sentence OF
thirty days in all was imposed upon John
| w Gray fer assaulting Anna " Gray, MS
wife. George W. Hill struck Ella Robinson
and was assessed $40 or thirty days. James
| Blair participated in an affray and was fined
| so or one month in jail. Pinkney Talburt
| colored, crueltyto animals, fined s..