The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-12-26
WHITE HOUSE HOLIDAY.
Some Gossip Relating to the Pres
ident's Family.
FILLING THE LITTLE STOCKINGS,

GOD ihtt the NatiOnii Executive Does
Himself and Considers IA Special Priv
ilege, as Much SO to Recognize Bel
iigerency-Major Mckinley Dimes with
His Mother ON the Great Holiday-Many
Remembrances Received at Canton.
Washington, Dec. 26.-Christmas at
the White House was observed this
year just as it has been in the past
during the present administration. The
day is essentially a children's festival.
Thursday night a big Christmas tree
was placed in the library and Mrs.
Cleveland herself superintended the
trimming of the tree. The electrician
of the White House has provided a
myriad Of tiny colored incandescent
lights, which take the place of the time
honored but dangerous wax lights in
the illumination of the tree. Mrs. Cleve-
land thoughtfully remembered the en-
ployes by bestowing upon each a fine
turkey for dinner. For the White House
table a monster of a bird came alive
from Louisville, a few days ago, and
weighed fifty-seven pounds.
The Presidents Special Privilege.
'of the highest authority" Some further
details have been obtained regarding
White House affairs this Christmas.
1t is said that Mr.. Cleveland helps fill
the little stockings of Ruth, Esther anc
Marian, Sand that Mrs. Cleveland tried
to persuade the president that 1t was
not necessary to have the stockings,
If there was to be a Christmas tree.
But that was not his idea of the thing
at all. His earliest recollection of Christ
mas was connected with hanging stock
ings, and he wanted his children to
enjoy this old-fashioned custom. More
over, he fills the stockings himself. He
will not let any one do it. Estelle.
Ruths French maid, and Nanny"
Lucy, the old colored nurse, who still
wears a head handkerchief, are permit
ted to tie the presents on the tree under
Mrs. Cleveland's direction, but the right
TO drop bonbons way down in the toes,
and to fill the heel with dried figs, and
stuff the little legs full of toys. belongs
solely to the president. 1t is as much
a special privilege for him to do this
as it is to recognize belligerency and he
is as persistent in one as he will be in
the other.
Mrs. Cleveland at st. Johns.
The Cleveland Christmas practically
begins Christmas Eve. Mrs. Cleveland
always attends service at ST. Johns.
the old court church. on Christmas Eve.
With a few exceptions every president
up to the time of Lincoln attended tho
Episcopal service in this quaint old
structure. 1t is situated directly across
Lafayette park from the White House.
ic ha only ri which w
keeps a pew reserved for the president
and his family free of charge. In spite
of the fact that Arthur was the only
president since the war who has oc-
cupied the pew regularly. it is still kept
there. no one being allowed in it un-
less he be an inhabitant of the White
House. Once year Mrs. Cleveland
occupies it, and always on Christmas
Eve. AS soon as de profundis is sung
Mrs. Cleveland returns to the White
House, where she finds her husband,
impatient to get at the Christmas toys.
He Admires Roast Pig.
Very few visitors are at the White
House Christmas. 1t is purely family
affair just like it is with the rest of US.
Christmas evening there is an old
fashioned dinner, turkey and a roast
pig being conspicuous dishes on the ta-
BILE. Cleveland has fondness for roast
pig, a taste, he said, which was sudden
ly developed in him by reading Charles
Lambs essay on the subject. They at
tended their own church Christmas
morning, and the afternoon is given
over to sending presents to friends in
the city. Mrs. Cleveland receives few
presents herself, but she sends a great
many. She is especially generous in
har Gifts IN tho moor