The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-13
EGG-ROLLING ON
The WHITE LOT A
MUD PIE CARNIVAL
JOY Unmitigated Reigns Su-
preme Among Little Folk.
THEIR ARD0R NOT DAMPENED
Ceremony Often Postponed in Past
Years-Death of "Jack" at the
White House.

Heavy rains last night converted the
egg-roIling on the White Lot today into
mud pie carnival.
Some overcautious mothers and nurses
kept their daintily dressed proteges on
the gravel walks this morning. and held
baskets Of various eolored eggs safe
from the water-soaked turf. Most OF
the youngsters. however, were turned
loose or the lawn. and had a frolic
after their own heart.
Immaculate white aprons ard froeks
soon took On the color o. ditch GizgeTs'
clothes. Pretty pink eggs .ook on
mourning Nurses-and mothers seoldei
and fretted. but the merry egg-rollers
had more fun than would have been
possible if the sun had dried the spongy
lawn and the trees had been freed from
the water that showered The merry
makers when shaken By Eischievous
boys.
Open at 10 O'clock
The gates of The White Lot were %
be tElIown open at 10 O'Clock 10 the little
folks AM their nurses and parents At
That hour 1t vas raining slightly and
the ward was anything but inviting.
Colonel Bingham issued orders, how
ever, that the grounds be turned over to
the egg-rollers.
In former years the egg-rclling frolie
siastic children Tad gathered and was
disre@rding warnings against wet feet
and threats ct Group.
IN former years the egg-rolIing frelio
has frequently been postponed on ac-
count of rain. Colonel bingham decided
that II vas TEST 10 save the little faIks
from DISAPPOINTMENT and announced that
the fete would be held JEST as decided
upon. The Marine Band wiu give is
concert in the White Lot from 4 until
so this afternoon II it Is not raining
at that time.
Easter pays ef the Past.
The rain this morning was slight.
Only -huudredth Of an inch was re-
ported by The Weather Bureau. But the
precipitation was considerable last night.
Between s O'Clock and midnight one-1fth
OF an inch OF water fell
Easter Monday OF last year was an
unusual day. II fell on March 81 Be
tween and 70 o'clock in the morning
there was slight snowfall and al
o'clock shower began which lasted for
few minutes. In spite Of the unfavora-
bIe weather the egg rolling on the White
Lot vas uninterrupted and the Marine
Band gave concert
In 1901. 1869, and 1899 Easter Monday
was fair day. IN 1900 il fell on April
Is, so late n the season that the temp
erature was mild and the day vas espe-
cially pleasant. The egg-rolIing festi-
val in 1883 was marTed by rain afrer
O'Clock IN the afternoon
In 1897 the day was warm and pleas
ant. Easter Monday Of 1886 fell on April
5. and was an especially disag-eeabia
day Rain fell from Z: "a until II a m-
and from 800 until $3.50 IN tia after
neon The egg-roIling was postponed
until a week later. but it rained again
on that day. and the festival Was aban-
doned for the year.
| Death of Jack
| Easter Day at the White House was
not one OF unmixed happiness for the
Roosevelt children. for it vas marked BY
| weeping for one CT the best-Iiked pets OF
the household menagerie. Under a big
tree On the south lawn. about sixty feet
from the steps leading down from the
south portice. was buried yesterday
morning the body of Jack. the black and
tan terrier which had been the pet Of the
children from their babyhood days.
Jack was scampering about as usual
/ On Saturday. and was seen BY police
men and house workers until late in ths
afternoon. Between then and Sunday
morning be was missing and Easter
morning he was found in the yard dead
! The children we're told that JACK had
died of old age. but the servants al tbs
mansion feel sure he was poisoned.
They often said he ought not be allowed
TO run at large without a muzzle for
fear that he would eat some poisonous
food, and this fear now seems to HAYS
been weII-gro. acet-
The little Rooseyelts were 1nconsola-
BILE for time. and went to looR a The
place where their little pet had bsea
buried. But they have been promised
| another bIack-and-tan which shall be
lust like Jack" so their mourning is
now giving place TO expectancy about
the new pet.