Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-12-24
SANTA CLAUs A PUZZLE.

LuO5Eb iu WbbDlDB BhNh baS OOSb 'AO
solemnity with which little Mr.. WI,
son of the Chinese Minister, srrayed
himself in ell his glory, and, balancing
big bouquet, went to the White
House aud presented il to Mrs. Nc
Kinley. He will 90 10 the White
House again this year, and DO doubt
the little celestiaPs mind will be af-
fected by memories OF the gentle lady
who Rrieves in Canton. he was
particular fsvOrite OF hers aDd was
always accorded hospltable entry to
her presence. 1t wss one OF his habits
to visit Mrs. Mckinley frequently.
This Christmas to him has been more
than Important. The young ladies
who have come to the Chinese Lega-
ton have been his special charges dur.
ing their Christmas Sightseeing and
shopping. He has been their guide,
philosopher, and friend. He thorough
ly understands Corisrmss usages, but
his sage little head is sometimes puZ
z cd to fnd Chinese equivalents for his
absorbed American ideas. He has &C.
companies then TO tho otoroo and rcop
snown the headquarters OF Santa Claus
and Lhe efigies Of the generous saint,
which no doubt be describes es 40
Amer can idol The ripping laughter
which sometimes follows his solemn
dissertations to his fathers friends on
this subject shows that no doubt
Chinese msidenhood is as curious end
easily amused by strange national Gus.
toms as even the American aboard.
Two little Turkish boys. aged 7 ard
8, sons OF Chekib Bev, the Turkish
Minister, are in the United States for
th eiT first Christmas. They have som Q
knowledge OF the saint already by az
sOciation with the Greek families iD
Constanlinople, but the institution Of a
Christmas tree is altogether strange
and mysteriously fascinating to them.
1t isa memory that nsver grows old
how this feast took hold Of the former
son OF the Korean Minister, Mr.. Ye.
He was enIhused with Christmas, and,
being an autocrat in his household,
would proclaim it whenever his oriental
blood needed stimulus or when every
day life pslled upon him. His father
wss an enthusiast about ice cream, and
would eat it at breakfast or before re-
tiring, and had q museum of every de-
ecription of ice cream freezer on the
market. Just 80 bis young son regarded
Christmas, and be would demand q
tree ia the spring or the summer or
winter, and make IL Christmas in his
home by the fiat Of his nucurbed juve.
| nile will.
American boys aud girls will be in-
clined to sympalhiz, with the Russians.
Count Cassini has 10 children Of his own
bat he takes pride in the Christmas joys
of his suite, and all their little
children are gathered for big tree and
q good tlms at bis embassy, but the ter.
rible thing is that the Russian Christ
mas does not come until the sixth oi
January.
At the Austro Hungarian Legation
Christmas is observed with sll the SOL
emnity of the Catholic Teutous. The big
tree is lighted up on Christmas eve and
the presents distributed. A little for
eigner, named YvoDDe Hepgelmuller, is
the heroine of oil this preparation, and
she usually Invites any ofthe youngsters
connected with the suite of Lord
Pauueefote to share her good time. The
Legation and the Embassy are on op-
posite sides OF Connecticut avenue.
The Mexican Ambassador does not
forget Christmas, although he comes
from q long which rarely knows snow
On Christmas eve he Gala all bis staff
together for SPLENDID family supper,
and at this his secretaries and bis grand
children sit down and eDi 1y themselves.
10 every Embassy and Legation all the
children have decided to hang up
stockings and ell have bought their
parents and friends Christmas gifts.