The Savannah morning news., 1902-04-06
SOME WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
THE EGG ROLLING FESTIVAL IN
THE WHITE HOUSE GROUNDS.

SccEetafY OF the treasury, taking
Personal Interest in the Fight
Against the Examination of Bag
Eage of Americans Returning
from EurOpe-The Formal An
Another Daughter of the Secretary
of State-The Residence of Senator
kean the Resort of the Younger
Sit of Washington SOciety-Other
Matters of Interest.
Washington, April Sin spite of
lowering skies, chill winds and fur
ries of snow. hundreds of youngsters
and as many oldsters turned out for
the annual egg-rolling in the White
House grounds on Easter Monday. No
body knows where or how the festival
originated, or what its peculiar signifi-
canoe may be; but for many years it
has been religfously observed in the
nations capital, IL nowhere else in the
country by ever-increasing crowds
and quantities of squandered hen
fruit" until it has acquired the dig
nifty and consequence of time-honored
custom. Weeks in advance the small
folk of the District OF Columbia are
eagerly looking forward to it, and
saving up their nickels to buy gaily-
colored eggs, while the more credulous
ones begin hunting in odd corners for
the rabbits nests in which they are
told the eggs may be found. Bold, in
deed and fearless OF public opinion
would that President be who would
refuse to throw open the gates of the
white Lott to the carnival jewellers,
or neglect to summon the Marine Band
for their NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. he
knows that the carefully tended lawns
and flower-beds will be ruined Tor
many day, and that afterwards it
VIII look as if an army had tramped
over in full retreat
The usual Washington rabble. dark
~ colored and variousiy Conditioned.
from street Arabs in rags and tatters
10 small scions of the aristocracy in
typical velvet gowns and knicker-
Dockers, was on hand last Monday al
an early hour. Until past noon black
faces predominated among the elders,
showing the presence of nurses and
mammys" as guardians of the chill
VI AAdlGIJ the COIlDlGXlO0 OF the
crowd gradually lightened, when par
ent and spectators began to arrive:
and at the hour scheduled for the Ma
rine Band to commence its splendid
concert, it was a white and well-dress-
ed crowd, only slightly sprinkled with
the tints of Africa. A year ago Mrs.
Mckinley spent most of her day at
one of the upper windows watching
the innocent fun of the little people
nj fesiI do IL
Inflated President, who also loved
children, left his official duties long
enough to stand for a few minutes by
the side of his wife, enjoying with
her the pretty scene. What stupendous
changes year may bring forth! Nc
Kinley long in his grave, the sorrow
ing widow in her country home
which she will probably never leave
again, and on this Easter Monday the
strong, vigorous, and happy Roosevelts
greatly in evidence. The Roosevelt
children, overlooking with life and
merriment, were out early in the
grounds, but were recalled to the
house at 10 a. M, when the gamin
mob began to pour in the opening of
the gates. But nothing dampened
their ardor. With few invited
chums and eggs galore, they picked"
and rolled eggs in the great East
ing the whole premises with
shells and debris and keeping
several servants hot on their trail
About four in the afternoon President
and Mrs. Roosevelt, with number of
invited guests, including most of the
Cabinet ladies, appeared on the rear We
randa and watched the performance for
an hour or so. OF course there was an
instant rush to the neighborhood of the
mansion, in which several children
were trampled under foot and the force
of policemen had their hands full to
preserve a seGnblance of order The
camera fiend was out in numbers, each
with his instrument pointed toward the
distinguished group: and disinterested
comments by the curious who stood
staring would have been a rare treat
to the objects there-if they could have
heard them. (which is Aliee?"
Which is Teddy. Jr?" Mrs. Roose-
welt don't look half so commonplace as
her published pictures make her."
"Aint that plain gray gown stylish
though How proud-like her hus-
band looks at her. were among the
audible observations. One old lady in
black bombazine and antique bonnet,
evidently from away back in some Vir-
ginia or Maryland county, standing as
near to the balcony rail as she could
get, clasped her hands in ecstasy and
exclaimed loud enough for all to hear,
"Oh the dear, dear President Amt he
cute?" Several hundred Michigan and
Ohio school teachers, who are doing
the capital this week, We're interested
spectators, and so were all the strang-
ers and tourists who happened to be
in Washington, for the fame of the
unique fete, whose counterpart is seen
nowhere else in the world, has spread
throughout the length and breadth of
the land There were the customary
casualties of children tumbled in the
fountain basin among the goldfish.
Lost tots screaming for their mammas,
torn clothes, bumped noses, and free
fights among the Arab element! and
finally, just as the setting sun bathed
in radiant splendor the great white
obelisk that marks the memory of the
Father of His Country, the band play
was ended.
The end of Lent is the signal for a
new outburst of gaiety, which will con-
tinue undated until summer weather
drives society from the heated capital.
President and Mrs. Roosevelt will con-
tribute to the varied attractions of
Easter week a musicale at which Pad
ereWski will be the bright, particu-
lar star" and three hundred guests
are hidden to hear him. His recital
will be followed by several other. must
cal evenings in the White House, and
for each occasion a large number of
guests are invited The Presidents
family viii not go to their Oyster Bay
home until after the schools close in