Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-01-04
WHITE HOUSE FROLIC.
President Steps a Dance to
Ragtime Tune.
LED IN A CHRISTMAS CAKEWALK.

Prnnced Down the Line to the
Strains of "a Hot TIme'-Virginia
Reel Started the Fun Senator
Lodge Entered Heartily Into the
ReVeIs In the East Room.
President Roosevelt took part in the
cakewalk and danced the Virginia reel
in the White House on Christmas night
as a finale to the Christmas festivities,
writes the Washington correspondent
of the New York World. Senator
Lodge and some young people. invited
guests, also took part in the festivities.
The froIic took place in the historic
east room. Amid much laughter the
party formed for the Virginia reel. The
orchestra struck up. and the president
of the United States led the dance up
and down the line, executing many
fancy steps.
Mrs. Roosevelt and the other ladies
in the party were almost hysterical
over the antics of the president. who
entered into the dance with all his ac-
customed spirit. The president chas-
sed, sidestepped and balanced ALL"
while the little Roosevelt boys gave
vent TO nOwIS or merrlnenl.
Following the president came Henry
Cabot Lodge, United States senator
from Massachusetts, usually staid, dig
nified, stately. On Christmas night he
forgot all this and danced with all the
vim and abandon of his young son,
who was present. The Roosevelt chill
dren guyed the senator just as they
had their father.
For thirty minutes the reel was
danced. Then the orchestra struck UP
'There'll Be Il Hot Time" The guests
yelled, and some one started n cake
walk. The president chose q partner
and led the cakewalk down the long
east room, executing fancy, buck and
wing steps. while others in the party
clapped 'juba."
go it. popw yelled the Roosevelt
children. Mrs. Roosevelt laughed until
the tears came to herseyes. After n
few minutes of "a Hot Time" the or
chestra began playing "Whistling Ru-
fus," real cakewalk tune. and the en-
tire party Joined in the contest. The
young son of Senator Lodge soon DEM
onstrated that he was the star cake
walker. and the president allowed him
to lead. After the caIsewalk came an
old fashioned country sAuare dance.
1t was the presidents own suggestion
that after dinner the party have an
old fashioned Christmas celebration.
The party adjourned 10 the long cor
ridor, where games were played for
half an hour. the children all partici-
pating.
When President and Mrs. Roosevelt
upon arising prepared to conduct the
family procession to the sitting room
to examine the Christmas stockings, it
was found that the restless youngsters
had stolen n march and already knew
all about the presents and were joyous
because of the multitude of gifts.
Theodore Junior received n splendid
hunting outfit, including a shotgun, n
magazine rifle and n hunting knife.
These arms will ne tried during his
hunting trip. just begun under the
guidance of DR.. Rixey.
The morning was devoted to family
reunion. punctuated by visits from cab
met members. At 80 the whole fami-
~. including Name. the nurse. drove
to the residence of Commander Cowles.
Shortly after their arrival n switch was
turned. and the big Christmas tree in
tue luTSe SlllluB TOOIu on IuS SeCOhu
floor instantly was ablaze with electric
lights. The tree was set in messy
grounds surrounded by a lake and
with wonderful animals grouped on
the sward.
While the merriment was at its
height the president withdrew unob-
served. Shortly thereafter the children
were delighted by the entrance of a
rollicking Santa Claus. What seemed
real snow and icicles chung to his boots
and to his pack. He knew exactly
what would please little boys and girls,
and just the right presents were forth
coming from the pack.
Baby Quentin discovered the absence
OF his father and lamented the fact
vociferously until Gained by the gift of
a baby rough rider uniform, (which
Mrs. Cowles herself had made and
which Offset n sailor uniform present
ed to Baby Sheffield Cowles.
At O'Clock both families returned to
the White House for dinner. Baby
Quentin sat opposite Baby Sheffield.
Both were in high chairs, and they
were the autocrats of the feast. The
grown folks. including President and
Mrs. Roosevelt. Commander and Mrs.
Cowles and Miss Carew, with Miss Al
Ice and young Teddy" were so placed
about the board as to best assist the
children.
President Roosevelt carved the tur-
key. The feass was concluded with old
fashioned pumpkin and mince pies, sent
by Mrs. Roosevelt's old neighbors at
Oyster Bay. The evening was devoted
80 49, ramNaU 4WIMmM