Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-12-23
= IMPLICITLY always marks h

- HANNn Ah Nt'
household OF President Roosc.
welt, There is no Christmas tree and
the holiday decorations are few only
the younger children hang up their
stockings. The gifts within the fam.
lily circle are simple and inexpensive.
not unlike those OF a thousand other
American homes. To tell even what
they are is against the wish of the
president. who believes il better for
the young people to enjoy the day
In a quiet. old-fashioned way. freed
from all consciousness that the coun.
try is looking on.
Some days before Christmas last
year Mr.. Roosevelt turned the library
into "A storcroom. To IL none OF the
children was admitted; one OF the
maids safely guarded the key. The
most the little ones could do was oc.
c~asionally to peek in as the door was
hurriedly opened 10 let some bundle,
bearer In. They were, however. al.
lowed TO enter the adjoining room.
where for the greater part of a cen
fury the cabinet councils OF the ma
ton have been held. Since the renoy
alton OF the White House and the
erection of a separate Office building
this room has been known as the
presidents den In one OF its cor
ners his Christmas rc%mcmbranccs
were assembled az they arrived. The
children did not get oven feeling sur.
prised that their father could be
trusted to go into this room. and the
explanation that his presents were in
a dark place there hardly suficed.
Christmas morning found the en-.
tire family. which was united for the
holidays, opening the library door
and in readiness for the distribution
Of the packages. This is a beautiful
oval-shaped room on the south front
OF the second floor; its windows over.
look the lawns which extend down TO
the Monument and beyond to the Po-
tomac.
But the interest OF the children on
this Christmas morning was on things
inside the room: they were opening
packages as rapidly Is little hands
could do II. Pinckney, the faithful
steward, was there to help. particular.
ly with the things that needed setting
up or putting together.
The timer fingers did not lack the
help OF elder brothers and sisters.
Each enjoyed the Others gifts almost
as much as his own. II Is doubtful II.
In the long line of merry groups of
children who have welcomed the cele-
bration OF the ativity In this old man.
sion. and many OF them In this very
room, there has ever been a happier
family party.
All the surprises were not for the
children. Little Archibald had been
for some days arranging a tiny Christ
tree In one OF the clothes-closets,
which he discovered was rarely open
ed by his mother. The steward had
bought for him at market. for TWEEN
~ cents. one of those evergreen tops.
more than two feet high and
shaped like a tree. which always come
with the consignment of Christmas
greens from the woods; this was very
quietly struggled into the house.
Quentin's nurse suggested that the
electrician. who has charge of all
mysterious wires about the mansion,
would be a good collaboration. This
proved TO be the case. He readily ar
ranged some tiny lights on the tree
and prepared an outside button with
which they could be thrown on"
when wanted. As the closet had no
window the green branches lighted to
excellent advantage, making a beau
tiful picture.
Just look here for a minute" said
Archie. addressing his father, after
the contents OF the library had been
distributed. Il want you to glance
into this old closet" Suiting the &C.
ton TO the word he pressed the but.
ton and opened the closet door. All
the family were there, as was Quen-
tins nurse. but none appeared more
astonished than Mr.. Roosevelt himself
at the sight of this dimnutiye Christ.
mas tree. The ~knicknacks which Its
slender branches bore were all mark.
ed for father or mother. The re.
sou~rcefulness exhibited In planning
surprise made every ounce OF Its
sweatmeats seem to weigh a ton.
During the forenoon hours the boys
gradually found their way into the
nursery; this is the room where Quen.
tin sleeps. II Is large and airy. and
next to that occupied by his parents.
Although used as a nursery its more
common designation Is the prince OF
Wales room" because King Edward
the Seventh. while on his famous
OF the United States in 1860,
there.