The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-03-02

more than thirty years. If she only ask
for the morning paper or that q note b
mailed for her or that the simplest errand b,
done. she IL always most careful 70 thanh
you for IL, and her consideration for The
old fellows who have for years served on
the White House stan Is very touching
She has ever a polite word and a merry
heart. and almost more thar any other
member Of the Presidents family has won
the heart OF everybody about here
Before her marriage. and before the
tragic death OF her brother, Helen Hay
was naturally the leader of social Affairs
In the young set Of Washington society, and
this mantle Of leadership would naturally
fall upon the shoulders Of her younger
sister we're not the family In mourning.
Miss Alice Hay. unlike her sister. Mira.
Whitney, Ia not literary. and aside from
current magazine reading, and the last new
book cares little for that phase Of life.
Although she Is shorter and stouter than
Mrs. Whitney. there ia yet a remarkable
resemblance between them and the picture
OF one might readily pass for the picture
OF tho other. Miss Hay has a less serious
urn Of mind than Mrs. Whitney, and were
the family not In mourning, II is safe TO
say that she would be the close ally OF Miss
Roosevelt in the dance and other girlish
social pastimes. Now she confines herself
10 a few girl friends for luncheon. and with
her parents observes the ~stEictest rules Of
mourning.
During this gayest OF Washington winters.
Miss Root, daughter Of the Secretary Of
War, has been the leading spirit, and with
the daughters of Secretary Hitchcock has
entertained more than any of the other
girls Of the Cabinet. Miss Root is OF medium
height. with soft fair skin, dark eyes and a
wealth of beautiful brown hair. She has
been a ~favorite In Washington society since
her advent In the Cabinet family, and has
attended In company with Miss Roosevelt
all Of the ia fashionable dances since the latter
mad her debut.
Miss Rebecca Knox Is small. Isolate. and OF
a more serious turn Of mind than any other
OF the girls Of the Cabinet. She was grad
usted from the Misses Ely's school in New
York and took a post graduate course there,
She is perhaps the best Informed girl In
Washingto on literature ard art. and
while she is not an artist In the sense OF
painting, she has been consulted In the
purchase OF a number OF valuable nvases
While she plays but little abe Is a thorough
musical critic. and her opinion Is esteemed
by those who know her. and her CONVERSE
ton on these subjects ia full Of interest.
Perhaps there never was another girl
In the Cabinet family so averse TO society
as Miss Knox, yet her hospitahle DISPOSE
ton makes OF her an accomplished hostess,
and the Knox house is the f~avorite resort
of the Cabinet girls. A merrier. happier
circle than that over which Miss
Knox is, next TO her mother. the presiding
genius, 10 not found in Washington.
Like her father. Miss Knox IL fond Of
horses. and when 10 California OF even over
roads in Pennsylvania, drives a
four-in-hand with great grace. She Is the
most accomplished whip Of her se1 In
Washington.
The Misses Hitchcock have. unlike Miss
Roosevelt. had several seasons In society,
and while Secretary Hitchcock was Minister
and Ambassador TO Russia, they enjoyed
the brilliant court life Of st. Petersburg.
They are fine linguists, and their apart
ments in the family residence on X street
bespeak their bachelor proclivities. The
walls are covered with hats, Alpine stocks.
golf clubs and hundreds Of trophies brought
from many lands.
The niece OF Postmaster General and
Mrs. PAYNE cannot be strictly called a
Cabinet girl. but she has been a welcome
at the White House many times
this winter, and Is a favorite In Washington
society generally.