The Savannah morning news., 1903-04-05

There are few children, probably, in
the United States who are looking for
ward to Easter with greater enthu-
dent Roosevelt's family.
Ethel and Archibald and Quentin-at
home-are rejoicing in the near return
from Crotch school of Theodore and
Kermet, who as elder brothers are re-
garded as heroes, and this years Eas-
ter vacation promises to be a lively one
at the White House.
There is the big spectacle of the
Easter Monday egg-rolling in the
south grounds of the mansion to look
forward to, and the family horse back
parties which are led by the President,
to say nothing OF the bicycling, the
stilt stalking, the mimic warfare and
the roller skating always going on in
or about the executive mansion.
If ever a fortress was stormed by the
energy and resource of clever children,
it is the White House under the pres
ent administration. A spirit of fun
and mischief is perpetually in evidence
and when you fail to hear the shouts
and laughter of exuberant children
echOing through the staid old dwelling,
it is because the pianola is in active
operation.
The Roosevelt children lead an ideal
American child-life. Even the Con-
gless of Mothers agrees to that Archi-
bald is familiar figure to Washing
tonians, astride his gayly-spotted pony
in all the bravery of a Rough Riders
outfit. He is we'll skilled in horse
manship and the ponys usual gait is
a quick gallop.
Ethel is every bit as expert with her
bicycle and the groom that follows her
early rides through the White Lot has
a lively chase every morning. Miss
Ethel can stand on the pedals to in
crease the speed of her machine and
do all sorts of stunts that result fire.
quently in unlaced boots and flying hat
She inherits all the daring courage of
her father, whom she adores
Little Quentin, the baby of the fam
lily, speeds his small velocipede about
the asphalt walks of the White House
grounds and gets into animated tussles
with the restraining guardians of the
peace who patrol the premises. Just
at present the children have the silt
craze and it is ludicrous to see them
picking their way through the moist
turf and even sinking deep into the
flower beds that are being carefully
prepared for the spring harvest of
blossoms They have famous lungs,
not an usher or a policeman on duty
at the White House who is not the
devoted friend of this attractive, high
spirited trio.
Indoors or out, the children are al
ways active, and the East Room has
| more than once been put to the use
of a skating rink. When the decora-
tors are preparing for a state dinner
the children are everywhere in evil
dence, trailing Southern smilaX where
it should not be trailed, and Offering
inimitable comments and suggestions.
No one enjoyed the Prince Henry din
ner more than the little Roosevelts,
who volunteered so much assistance
and played so many pranks that they
were banished, finally, from the scene
of preparation. Archibald is real wit
and can always get back a pat reply
to humorous remark. 1t is difficult
to say who is the leader, since they
are all well equipped for leadership.
Their schoolmates find the Roosevelt
children very resourceful in inventing
games, and it is not strange that their
favorite sport is to play at being SOL
diers or hunters. They get their in
SEPARATION at home.
Ethel made the remark recently that
she did not understand why the former
children of the White House did not
leave their photographs behind, so she
COulQ See Wlldl lHeY all lOOk0u ike.
Many besides Ethel, are interested in
the personality of the various children
who have lived in the historic man
sion, for ii is fact that so long as
there are small toddlers in the White
House. the fathers and mothers
throughout the country must ever feel
a special interest in the President and
the first lady in the land.
Probably the most conspicuous
among former White House children
were Nellie Grant, Tad Lincoln Baby
there have been a great many youth
full personages associated with the diff
ferent administrations, few of them
have been the children of Presidents.
There have been grandchildren and
adopted children and the Father of
his Country had to be content with
step-chldren.
Nellie Curtis has been handed down
to us as a heroine of romance. She
was a grandchild of Mrs Washington
and a favorite with the first President
from babyhood. Nellie was 10 at the
time of Washington's Inauguration and
she made her home, together with her
brother George, at Mount Vernon.
! The children accompanied their grand
parents to New York when the Presi-
dent took up his residence at No.
Franklin Square, and, afterwards, on
Broadway, near Bowling Green. 1t was
Nellie's first experience of town life
and great crowds used to gather about
the Presidents house every morning
when Mrs. Washington and Nellie came
| out to take their daily drive. Lady
Washingtons coach was the finest in
the city, very roomy and painted a
light cream with panels ornamented
with fat little cupids, lovers knots and