The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-19
PLANS AT WHITE HOUSE.
Mrs. Roosevelt Sending Dozens OF
Presents, Many Her Own Work.

AT the White House, as in nearly all
the homes throughout the land, the
principal theme of interest is the selec-
ton of Christmas gifts and the prepara-
ton for the holidays. In spite of nu-
merous exacting duties, Mrs. Roosevelt
has managed to spend several hours
each week at the different stores, ana,
in. consequence, nearly all her gifts are
ready for distribution. Like Mrs. Me-
Kinley, she selects the presents for her
intimate friends from little keepsakes
made by her own hands.
Mrs. Roosevelt is an exquisite needle
woman and is also an adept in fashion
ing vari-colored embroideries. She has
a store of dainty initiated handkerchief,
flmy lace collars and little articles
whose value will be greatly enhanced
by the fact that the work is the product
of her skillful fingers.
During the week several dozen pack
ages were dispatched by Mrs. Roose-
welt to friends abroad or in distant parts
of the United States. She has almost
as many more ready for the mail, and
each day a number of these parcels are
selected to be started on their journey
as a pleasant surprise on Christmas
morning. They Rave been carefully
timed to reach their destination at the
OppOrtune moment
Miss Ethel Roosevelt will not receive a
doll this year, and this will be the first
time that her mother has not dressed
such a plaything for her daughter. Mrs.
Ethel had concluded that her family was
large enough, and that she would prefer
books or some intricate puzzles, which
are popular at her school, instead of
more dolls.
Little Quentin, however, believes in
boy babies, and has quite an assortment
of rough riders, cIergymen and soldiers
and he will doubtless add to his collection.
Archibald scorns such playthings, and al
ways asks for something alive. or for
collars or other ornaments for his numer-
Gus pets.
The cabinet women will follow the pre-
cedent established last year and will pre-
sent Mrs. Roosevelt with handsome gift.
This present is exceedingly beautiful and
costly. None of the ladies feel free to
disclose its nature, but they all say it is
something which Mrs. Roosevelt has de-
sired for some time and for which she has
frequently expressed a wish. Mrs. Hay,
as the ranking lady of the cabinet. was
selected to purchase the gift
The ladies arrived al their conclusion
with perfect harmony. The members of
the presidents cabinet impressed with
the ease with which the cabinet ladies
had discharged their courteous duties
toward Mrs. Roosevelt desired to do
likewise toward the president. Here the
trouble began. The gentleman had three
solemn conclaves without result. Obvi-
ously. the present most appropriate vas
the finest rifle which American ingenuity
could produce and this was the first Sc
lection of majority Some. however
preston of hunting and the useless
slaughter of game" to quote the preSi-
dents message. and promptly and vigor-
ously demurred to the purchase of a
huntsman. and now the men folks of the
cabinet have concluded to make indt-
vidual Christmas gifts to the president
Washington Correspondence New YORK.
World.