Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-12-23

CtINtu Dg the HOOSeYelt children last
Christmas was an electric railroad
made by the men who. during the pre-
ceding summer, had installed a new
electrical equipment In the White
House, AT odd hours they fitted up
this toy as q token OF their attach
ment TO the children. A circular
track. about three feet in diameter,
provided with sidings. stations and
all the paraphernalia Of r~ailroading,
spread out before the ~astonished
youngsters. They were soon intro
duced to a little electric locomotive,
to which a number of cars could be
attached, all arranged so simply that
It was not Il difficult matter to start
or stop the train in it's journeys.
Among The gifts received by the
president AMI Mrs. Rooacyelt were a
surprisingly large number OF books.
This is accounted for by their we'll
known literary tastes; no other pres
ident has been so prolific a ~book.writ-
er and few have awakened so many
literary associations. The newer writ
ers throughout the land desire to have
him see their books in the hope that
he may be persuaded To steal time
enough from his crowded hours to
scan their pages. Then, personal
friends who know what books he
would enjoy take pleasure in remem-
bering him,
The absence Of any Christmas tree
In the presidents household for two
years in succession. giving the omis-
sion the appearance of Il settled fam
lily policy has naturally o%ccasioned
some comment. The presidents love
Tor the living things Of the forest in
their own natural setting Is so great.
II has been suggested, that he pre-
fers not to encourage the wanton
slaughter of small trees. But If he
holds this view he has LOT so inform
ed his closest friends, and among low
ers OF the forest there is considerable
difference of opinion regarding the
Christmas tree practice. Some + z
that trees are made for the enjoyment
and use OF man. and add also that.
since only a small percentage of the
young growth, in the struggle for ex.
i%stence. a ever reach maturity, man
might as well pick out what he wants.
Others reply that the best-shaped
trees. and necessarily those which
grow In rather open spaces. are select
ed for the holiday purposes: these
are the very ones that the world can
least afford to lose.
The main motive OF Mr.. and Mrs.
Roosevelt. however. Is their desire to
enjoy Christmas as simply as posi-
BILE. Almost every Dom OF the White
House at the holiday season, in a
family OF SO many children. is over
loaded with things; trees upon which
TO display them would only add much
more.
Neither Is the White House elab.
orately trimmed with greens at Christ
mas, partly for the same reason. but
chiefly because its interior decoration
since the restoration of a yea and
a half ago. Is so beautiful In its deli
cacy that Mrs. Roosevelt hesitates
TO run any risks OF injurlng IL.
The Roosevelt children on Christ
mas afternoon paid a visit to the
home OF Captain Cowles. whose wife
is a sister of the president, and there
they had some part In the Christmas
tree prepared particularly for their l.
year-old cousin. This tree. too, was a
simple affair. and the occasion proved
essentially home-like.
After a few hours at the Cowles
residence the basket surrey and an
other carriage from the White House
stables appeared before the door to
take the presidents family for a drive
into the country. Everybody went.
Both vehicles were filed. There was
even some rivalry among the children
for seats. This outing afforded the
quiet and refreshment. after a day
crowded with pleasures and interests.
which the entire household seemed to
nee. The presidents driver did not
need To- be told In which direction to
turn his horses heads. The deepest
woods can be reached in a few miles
are usually sought for. and especially
was this true on Christmas afternoon.
Washington Is fortunate among Amer
lean cities In having within a half
hours drive forests so dense, pene-
trated only by such narrow country
roads as TO Disguise every suggestion
that a great city is almost lurking
from behind the nex bend In the high
way.
The carriages rolled back In early
twilight. The children, after their
usual light supper. were ready to en-.
Joy sound slumber. while their par
ents dressed for dinner. Their guests
were the family friends rather than
members of the official circles who.
on formal occasions. are invited TO
the White House. The presidents de
sire was to make Christmas through
out a day Of the home and of home
friends.