Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-03-30
EASTER IN THE
WHITE HOUSE.
How the Spring Weather Finds
the Inmates of the
Executive Mansion.
THEIR EASTER PROGRAMME
For the First Time in Years Mrs.
Mckinley Is Able to Accompany
Her Husband On an After
noon Stroll.
SOME COMING FESTIVITIES.

What is our Chief Executive doing
lnese Easter days when the sun shines
warmly and the birds sing newly? Is
he penned up in the White House writ
ing on and on-upon his never-ending
messages? Or is he out getting the
soft air which all human creatures
crave now?
Since the war the United States has
found itself in a different position.
There is more formality, less infor-
mality, more attention to the diploma
cles Of life. The United States can
never again go back to being the
humble nation which its people and
the world believed it to be.
Yet the President is democratic. Out
side the White House the lawn
stretches away green and beautiful;
and inside, the President and his wife
and the young guests that always fill
the White House are enjoying the COM
ing Of spring.
All are getting ready for Easter.
which in the White House is a time for
merrymaking.
Easter Sunday morning all go to
church; in the afternoon there are calls,
and in the evening more church. Easter
Monday there is egg rolling upon the
lawn, and Easter Monday night the
entertainments begin which character
lie Easter week.
THE MORNING HOUR. /
III L CS4OSnl uOeS IIOl rise early
these days. The spring birds that chirp
and tW1tter in the shrubbery under his
WINDOW IN the morning do not entice
him from his bed until about eight
O'Clock. He is dressed and ready for
breakfast about nine o'clock. Mrs. Nc
hlnley takes the morning meal with
her husband in the private dining ROOM
The President generally breakfasts
With the morning paper by his side
After breakfast the President joins his
wife, and they go over their domestic
matters until the President is called
awaiting him in Secretary Porter's
office.
1t is usually about halfzpast nine
o'clock when the President leaves the
| family part of the house and enters his
office to begin his days work The
rules recently promulgated state that
the President Will receive Senators and
Representatives from ten to twelve
O'Clock every day except Tuesdays and
Fridays Cabinet days..
He takes luncheon with Mrs. Nc
Kinley at one o'clock, and does not re-
turn to his desk until two. His after
Moons are generally occupied in receiv-
ing callers by special appointment, or
considering executive business. Some
| times he takes his work into the
| library, which is now used as Mrs. Nc
Kinley's sitting room.
| At half-past four he puts aside bust
| ness fer the day and goes for a walk
with Mrs. Mckinley, who is now much
| improved in health. The President is
| believer in plenty of outdoor exer-
| else, and it is a pleasant relief for him
to get away from the official atmos-
phere, which ever fills the White
| House.
His daily walks are one of the most
| popular features of his administration
| He could not pay a higher compliment
! to the public than by thus touching
| elbows daily with his fellow citizens
| His afternoon strolls are not confined
to any particular locality, and they
| generally occupy about an hour if he
is alone; half an hour if Mrs. Mckinley
| is with him.
| Sometimes he walks down Pennsyl
| vania avenue and visits the business
section of the city. At other times he
| takes turn through the West End, the
fashionable residence part of Washing
ton. One of his favorite routes is dowr
| to the river 'front.' through the Mall
| past the Washington Monument. His
| only companion during these walks
thus far has been either his secretary
| or his wife.
| THE AFTERNOON NAP.
| When the President returns from his
| walk he throws himself down upon Z
couch and takes a nap. Most men de-
| fer their nap-taking until after dinner
| he taxes MS nap urSC ana Qlnn6r AFTER
ward. Since entering the White House
| he has invariably worn evening dress
| at dinner, which is served in the pri-
| vate dining room at seven o'clock.
| There are frequently friends or rela.
| tives at dinner. If any of the guests
are musically inclined the President in.
sists upon having a song or selection
| upon the piano. He does not care much
| for theatres, but he is devoted to voca
| and instrumental music.
| During the evening the President is
| apt to suggest his favorite game OF
| cards, six-handed euchre. Mrs. Nc
Kinley is also fond of the game. These
| little informal gatherings at the White
| House are always enjoyable. They are
usually held in the library upstairs.
The President does not spend all his
| evenings playing six-handed euchre
Just now there are many persons who
| desire to have private talk with him
about affairs of state. By eleven
| o'clock he is ready to put aside the
business of the day, unless it is very
| pressing, and he is usually in bed by
| midnight.
Easter week will see a big dinner and
| dance in the White House, and sew
eral very pretty luncheons and teas.