The evening times., 1899-12-26
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Christmas came and went without its
traditional snowstorm. Perhaps Nature felt
that she owed an apology for her Blizzard
Monday CT last February. and expressed
her atonement by giving the Capital blue
skies with Just a touch OF wintry crisp
ness in the air instead of grey clouds and
snowfakes
short walk of twenty minutes dura-
tion in the forenoon. drive in the after
noon with Mrs. Mckinley. the reception Of
few personal friends during the day. and
a short time spent in his private Office.
tells the story of how the President spent
his Christmas Day. There were no guests
stopping at the Executive Mansion. Alb
ner Mckinley and his wife 1t was thought
would spend the day at the White House.
but at the last minute found they were
unable tc come. The President went for
his usual morning walk about IL o'clock.
but remained out only for short time.
On his return he Joined Mrs. Mckinley
and remained with her the rest OF the
forenoon. He refrained from attending
church in cIder that he might spend the
time with Mrs. Mckinley receiving the few
friends who called.
The residence portion OF the Mansion
was bright with wreaths of holly and pine
but no attempt at decorating the public
rooms was made. Luncheon was served
as usual at 1880 o'clock, but there were
no guests. Dinner. which was served at
Z O'Clock, was also partaken of only by
the Presiden, and Mrs. Mckinley.
Mrs. Porter. wife of the Secretary TO
the President, with her two small children.
was among the first callers at the White
House. Mrs. Mckinley was greatly pleased
10 see the children, and spent some time
chatting with them. When they left they
we're loaded down with packages which
Santa Claus had left with Mrs Mckinley
for them. Secretary Long and his son also
called. Master Long is a little above the
Santa Claus age. but carried large pack
age for Mrs. Mckinley and was not for
gotten by the gracious hostess of the Man.
sion.
Mrs. w. ". Warfield, of the Hotel Ken
more, was among the hostesses who cele
brated Christmas with a dance last night
The supreme event in yesterdays gay
round OF Yuletide festivities was the tea
and dance given by Mrs. A. E. Bates to
introduce her second daughter. Miss Eliza
Morgan Bates, TO the social world. which.
by right oil her beauty and mental charms,
she is SO brilliantly equipped to adorn.
The family mansion, in n Street, was as
green as a forest with garlands and holly
branches, whose spicy leaves and berries
mingled with flaming poinsetta blossoms
and tall. graceful palms. The debutante
girlishly lovely in white, and as radiant
as the very spirit of Christmas, was pre-
sented by her mother. who was gowned in
grey. showing touches of silver. Miss
Texas Bates. also in a white toilet that
served to accent her dainty blonde beauty,
assisted in receiving. together with Mrs. !
Bingham, Mrs. Audenried. Mrs. Mcmillan. |
Miss Alice Hay. Miss Patten. Miss Belle |
Hagner. Miss Sanger Miss Daisy Wilson. |
and the Misses Sheridan. The reception !
was held in the music room. which was
festooned with Christmas greens around the .
walls and pillars. Garlands were also /
swung from one to another of the cccle- !
siastic candlesticks. eight feet high and
of carved gold bronze. which Mrs. Bates |
brought home with her from Rome. The |
tea table was decorated with poinsetta
and other Christmas foliage. through
which cleaned tiny crimson holly berries
of electric light.
The tea was followed in the evening by q
an informal dance for the seasons buds
and number of young married friends OF
the debutante and her elder sister.
The Rev. and Mrs. Hedding B. Leech, of
East Orange, N. j., are spending the holi-
lays with Mr.. Leech's parents in this city.
rEey will be at home informally to their
friends with DR.. and Mrs. d. Olin Leech,
'31 Maryland Avenue northeast, Thursday.
December 2S. from to 10.