The evening times., 1896-12-25
HIGH 0FFIcIA[s!'lI HOLIDAY
Christmas 0bseryfd by the
President andl Cabinet.
ALL CELEBRATED AT HOME
Mrs. Secretary Francis First East
ern Christ mas Ruth and Esther
Cleveland Visit Their Friends in
the Thurber and Lamont Families.
Quiet Family Affairs.

The festival of Christmas received its GUS
toinary joyous celebration today in the
homes OF the high officials Of the nation.
At the White House the day was OBJ
served in a very homelike manner. 1t
was given over almost exclusively to the
children and their enjoyment.
President and Mrs. Cleveland dined at
home. Dinner was served in the afternoon.
The turkey came from Long Island. 1t
was a very large bird, and the present of
Mr.. vose, who every year sends to the
White House the Christmas turkey. Only
the members of the President family were
present.
The children's special delight was the
huge tree in the library. 1t is trernen-
dous pine, fully twenty feet tall, and Is
laden with presents. This years decora-
tions surpass all other efforts in that direc-
ton. Instead of the wax lights. the White
House electrician provided numerous in
candescent lights.
The Presidents gifts to the employees
were large turkeys to each, and card in
scribed, Merry Christmas"
They Gave Presents.
Ruth and Esther gave presents to their
friends and did not forget their comrades in
the Thurber and Lamont families. They
paid morning call to the homes Of both
Secretary Thurber and Secretary Lamont
and in the afternoon the children all met
around the big tree at the White House.
The observance OF Christmas in the home
of Vice President and Mrs. stevenson was
quiet but joyful. Dinner was served at the
Normandie. Mr.. and Mrs. Lewis Stevenson
and Miss Stevenson being present.
This evening they will leave for st. Louis
to be present at the wedding OF Miss Julia
Scott, Mrs. Stevenson's niece. Last year
Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson dined with the lat
ter's sister, Mrs. Scott, hut this year the
latter was absent from Washington
A happy quartet Joined IN the celebration
at the home of Secretary Of State and Mrs.
Olney. Mrs Minot and her young son,
Frank were present, and shared In the
holiday cheer under the parental roof.
Master Frank had Christmas tree, and
during the day received as his guests little
Ruth and Esther Cleveland.
Secretary and Mrs. Francis spent Christ
mas in n new home this year. They are
located in the former residence of Senator
Sawyer. which is one Of the most palatial
of the city. Mrs. Francis is a charming
entertainer. and the family had a delight
ful time.
The SeCretarys five sons are home from
college, and the feast was an elaborate
one. THE occasion was their first East
ern Christmas. Miss Boyd, niece OF Mrs.
Francis. was also present and enjoyed the
festivities. EH-.
The Home Gathering.
The good old Southern style prevailed
at the home OF Secretary Herbert Miss
Herbert conducted the srrangennets Tor
the home gathering whichwas participated
in by Mr.. and Mrs. Micou, whose children
added greatly to the pleasure OF the day.
They were not forgotten either, and a
handsome tree plentifuliy supplied with
ornaments and presents aroused their adj
miration and delight.
There is a ways atrec in the Lamont home
every Christmas, and Secretary and Mrs.
Lamont enjoy immensely making their
young daughters happy. The family ate
dinner at home, and when the children Of
President Cleveland came, the Lamont
girls exchanged gifts with their playmates.
There was an extra stocking, too, for little
Katherine, the baby, who today opened her
eyes upon her first Christmas.
The Carlisle home rcsounded with youth
full voices. The day was given up to the
entertainment of the children and grand
children of the Secretary Of the Treasury
and Mrs. Carlisle. There were present Mr..
and Mrs W. X. Carlisle. who came on
from Chicago with their trio of handsome
children; and also Mr. and Mrs. Logan
Carlisle.
Secretary and Miss Morton enjoyed their
Christmas dinner at the Portland. Tn.
morning and forenoon was passed very
quietly and pleasantly. The sons OF Sec
retary Morton were not Or esent, but in the
evening Miss Morton will have as her
guests Mrs. olney and Mrs. Minot
A Reunion.
There was a reunion in the home Of At
torney General and Mrs. Harmon. Besides
their daughters, the Misses Harmon, there
were present their married daughter and
son-in-law, Mr.. and Mrs. Edmund Wright,
of Philadelphia. They arrived n few ola vs.
ago, and Will spend the holidays here.
There were other visitors, too. at the
home OF the Attorney General, and Alto
gether a happy Christmas Day was passed.
postmaster Gene raj and Mrs. W llSOn
celebrated in their usual way, with Miss
Wilson, tieir daughter. at home. 1t was
an ideal Christmas, because there were
also present all their sons. Besides Miss
Mary Wilson, the debutante Of the month,
there is Miss Bette Wilson, the younger
daughter, who is at home from Hollins
Institute, in Virginia. The young ladies
have as their guests for the holiday season
Miss Baylor and Miss Asquitli, of Charles
town, W. Va.
A the home of Private Secretary Thur
Der, on | street, the littN ones were happy
and delighted. The family dined at
home, and in the evening there will be a
distribution of presents from the large
Christmas tree which adorns the library
S will he seen, Christmas Day among
the members of the Cabinet is purely a
family affair. There was no time lost
in social display or formality. 1t is the
one day in the year when all gather to-
gether as private families. This will he
changed on New Years Day, when all the
Cabinet ladies will openlthe season by the
usual reception. ss7i