Omaha daily bee., 1895-12-22
SANTA AT THE WHITE HOUSE
The Jolly Old Whiskers Chats of Christ
masses with Presidents.
GAY TIMES IN THE EXECUTIVE MANSION
A Chain of Happy incidents from
Washington to HarrisOn-Mcm-
OrabIe Holidays for White
House Children.

Copyright, 1895, by Frank G. Carpenter.)
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2O.-Santa Claus al
the white house! How his reindeer sledge.
gallop over the roof and how his pack goes
easily down the great chimneys. He has Wis
tied the place so often that ne knows just the
easiest way to the second floor, where the
babies sleep, and down further to the room
below, where the Christmas tree stands, and
to the wood Fireplace, about which the stock
ings of big Ruth and little Esther hang. He
stops a moment on the way and takes a peep
at Father Cleveland. The president is sleep
ing %soundly, his rotund form making a noun
tain Of the bel clothes. He lies upon his
back, and the night lamp on the table casts a
sickly glow over his worn features. He looks
weary and cid, for the troubles of the office
seekers and the cares Of state have followed
him to bad. AS Santa Claus looks at him his
laughing eyes grow serious. He whispers to
himself tnat such a face will never do for
Christmas morning, and with feet which
move the softer from the snow upon them
he steps to the side Of the sleeping man and
over his troubled features he breathes his
Christmas greeting.
Peace on earth; good will to menu
AS he does so the presidents brow clears.
His soul is filled with the thought of Christ
masses past, and In his dreams he travels back
10 the days when as a poor preachers son he
hung his stocking at the chimney side and
I''s ~ W 'ahh' Siohcs rs ou III III
looks, his own memory brings back that pic
ture of innocence and faith, and his heart
Feels even more tender than before, as he
throws a kiss at little Ruth and Esther, who
are sweetly sleeping in an adjoining room,
and prepares to make his way through the
fireplace down TO the rooms below.
There he unloads his pack. He fills Esther's
little stockings and stuffs with candy those
which the fat legs of little Ruth have touc.el
laughing as he does SO at the big stockings
which hang beside them, and which the chill |
dren have borrowed for, the time of their |
papa and their mamma. for fear their own
may not be large enough. He decorates the
tree with dolis and toys. He strings upon IL
glass balls Of every hue, and with tinsel
makes 1t shine like the silver and golden
bushes of fairyland. There are presents by
The babies of the white house
have many friends, and the most famous of
our statesmen send them Christmas gifts.
SANTA CLAUS SoLILOQUY.
Santa Claus stops for rest. He is tired; the
night Is late, and the morning is almost
come. He started upon his travels when
the sand man first bagan to throw his dust
IN sleepy children's eyes, and this White
house visit completes his long nights work.
He sinka back in the presidents big arm
chair, looks at the tree and talks. How his
words came to me l dare not tell, Il may
have been that the toy monograph, which
intended for little Ruth, and which Was
placed under the tree, recorded them. 1t has
never worked since then. / know, and has
been sent back as useless to the store from
whence 1t came. ! can only say that every
Hord is true, and that the big-eyed Brownie
Who guards the white house children heard
I all and Will corroborate my statements.
Said Santa Claus: There, that's a good
OBJ done! How the children will hop up and
Iown and dance about that tree. How Ruth
viii scream with Joy and Esther clap her
lands. How Papa Grover will grow young
gain and Mama Frances smile. | like the
'hite house best when 1t is filled with chill
rem, and l hope the day OF childless presl-
ents has passed away forever. How draary
hese rooms were about eight years ago. and !
ow they frightened when Mary and Den- !