The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-12-25
PRESIDENT AS
SANTA CLAUS
Roosevelt Children Make
Merry at Home.
WHITE HOUSE RINGS WITH J0LLIFY.
Gorgeous Presents For All of the
Family Come From Near and
Far-A Trip on the Dolphin
Tomorrow.

Inc WhIte House awoke early this
morning. The children wed with each
other in an attempt to see which could
arise the earliest and be the first to the
nantel in the hall where six stockings
hung in row. Just who was first on the
scene would be hard to tell, for there
was rush of feet all at once, long be-
fore the sun peeped over the Capitol dome.
The shouts of happy children rang
through the mansion and awoke the Pres
iient and Mrs. Roosevelt They were not
far behind the children then in arising
IL the expressed exdberance was any cri-
terion Of their feelings, Santa Claus, in
the shape OF father and mother, numer-
Gus relatives and acquaintances, had Ger
tainly done himself proud
The youngsters were so excited over
their presents that they could rardly be
torn away from the examination Of the
gifts long enough 10 eat breakfast There
were enough gifts to stock whole stores
Presents the Children Received.
Perhaps nobody was more pleased with
his share Of the Yuletide loot than Archi-
bald. long cherished dream Of Arches
was realized when he beheld bicycle of
just the right size 10 fit his diminutive
figure Archie at once gave vent TO his
exultatIon by series Of war whooPs
which startled the attendants all over The
house He at once mounted the wheel
and rode the length OF the long hall and
then back again He even suggested that
he be allowed to take the new bicycle
down in the East Room and ride It there,
and 50 protests he argued that It was
clean and would not spoil the carpet or
do any harm at all.
Theodore, IT.. received a fine gun
which he VIII find useful on the trip down
the river. during which Dr. Rixey VIII
give him his first lesson IN duck shoot
ing Kermit, the second son. was highly
pleased a. receiving a silver watch with
which ne viii astorish his schOoImates.
Quentin, the baby of the family, wss
especially taken with the latest pattern
OF a hobby horse on which he viii take
his first lesson in -'bronche busting" He
was also given drum. which VIII not be
heard. however. until the Dolphin Is we'll
under way down the river. He also re
eeived a large quantity Of toys, mechan-
tcal and otherwise
Miss Alice Roosevelt received mag
nffcfnt eorsage cluster OF diamonds. the
gift OF her father and mother These
Jewels she viii wear for the first time at
the ball in the White House early next
month al which tine she viii make her
GIFTS to the President
The number and variety of the gifts re-
unlimited They have been arriving at
the White House for several days past,
and viii probably continue 70 arrive until
New Year Day. Nearly everyone who
has ever been at all intimately associated
with the President took occasion to send
gift
During the morning and early afternoon
several members of the Cabinet called at
the White House and extended the COM
plimenCs Of the season 10 the President.
Each member Of the Cabinet had received
an appropriate remembrance from the
President, and hey ali had taken occa-
sion to present hin with gift Secretary
Root was among the first to call, as was
Senator Lodge
A Trip Down the River.
Kris. Roosevelt decided TO take the en-
tire tar,iIy with her down the river on the
DoIphi-s tomorrow.
The whole Roosevelt family. with the
exception Of Theodore, jr.. dressed for
riding, went TO Commander Cowles' house
fo- luncheon Later they took long
horseback ride. They were accompanied
by s, nator Lodge.
quiet at the Mansion.
out of respect to the Presidents wishes,
there we're no callers of an official char
acteT at the White House this morning,
with tie exception of Civil Service Com
missioner Proctor, who consulted The
President regarding the dismissal of Ma
clay. who was ordered dismissed from the
Brooklyn Navy Yard by Secretary Long.
None Of the family went to church this
morning but later in the day the Presi-
dent Will go driving. He was very anx-
ious to accompany his family down the
river, hus found it impossible to spare the
time. and viii remain in Washington dur
ing the holidays
-AII the members of the Cabinet spent
Christmas Day at their homes in this city.
The departments wece closed, as usual,
and few people were seen upon the streets
except those attending services in the va
rious churches.
President Roosevelt, in distributing
Christmas gifts. did not overlook the little
son of the Rev. DR.. John VI. Schick. pas
tor Of the Presidents church. The PFesi-
dent sent the little fellow a handsome
marine toy.