The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1903-12-31
WHITE HOUSE FROLIc.
President Played With Six
Hundred little Xmas Guests.
RoHPED WITH THEM FoRAE HOUR

down on HtstOrGe Dining Toble-A
Boys Concert a Feature OF the
Function.
''Nursie, rub my tummiep walled a
ave-year-old who had eaten everything
from Ice cream Santa Clauses and
steamed oysters to red holly berries at
the recent White House Christmas par
ty, says a Washington dispatch to the
New York World
Six hundred children, sons and daugh. /
ters Of government officials, army and
navy officers and friends Of President
Rooseyelts family were there. The
invitations read, From o'clock until /
ESQ.," None was late. Some came in |
carriages, accompanied by nurses and |
maids Mrs. Roosevelt had maids to
sn aighten out girls curls and rear
range girls clothing, while Steward
Pinckney performed a similar service
for the boys.
Some of the children shyly wandered
about until spied by the Roosevelt chill
dren, who quickly made them feel at
home. Archie Roosevelt sought his old
/ friends among the boys and said to
them. Nov, you fellers must help me
entertain" The shy and nervous quick
" were put at their ease and taken up
stairs, where the Marine band was
playing. The music stimulated the chill
dren, and soon all were playing and
romping about.
Everywhere were lights, Christmas
greens, flowers and music Mrs. Roose
Welt greeted her little guests in the
green room, wishing them all merry
Christmas and happy New Year.
Mrs. Roosevelt was surrounded by the
wives of cabinet officers Major Nc
Cauley, in the gorgeous uniform Of the
! United States marine corps introduced
each Of the little guests.
After meeting Mrs. Roosevelt the
children went to the historic east
room and at the door we're given a
souvenir-a bit of cerise ribbon with u
white button inscribed "a Merry
Christmas and Happy New Year"
In the east room the youngsters for
an hour listened to music by d boys
concert company from Chicago. There
were eleven numbers, and some Of the
younger children began to show signs
of Impotence.
Refreshments viii be served in the
state dining room,f an usher announc-
ed. but few of the children knew where
, the state dining room was. Led by
Archie Roosevelt and his chums, how
ever, they quickly found their way.
The big mahogany table, at which
have been dined famous personages for
hundred years, was decorated with
candelabra, holly and ferns. In silver
dishes were bonbons, fancy cakes and
other good things to eat. -Four biz
Santa Clauses stood guard at each cor
t ner Of the table, and at the end Of the
room was the Christmas tree which
! had been dressed and kept as a sur
prise by Archie Roosevelt
The children we're soon enjoying
themselves, eating of everything Of
fered After the table had been clear
ed Archie Roosevelt hoped up on the
table and danced an old Fashioned
breakdown, while his boon compan-
ions looked on and cheered. After leav-
ing the dining room the children form
cd little parties and scattered all over
L the mansion Youngsters with candy
I gummed fingers made impressions on
the walls, but nobody cared. Mrs.
Roosevelt had medicines at hand, and
whenever a cry of pain was heard the
youngster was taken in hand by Sur
geon General Rixey. who administered
to the overworked stomach.
Tho older children began dancing il
the east room while the younger ones
had 4 romp, playing games and Tex
ploring. AIT the height Of the fun
President Roosevelt Joined the young
sters at play and romped with then
for an hour.
"Why, he's just like any other man
amt hep said one delighted chile
when the president was playing 'cracl
the whip with them.
During the dancing IN the east room
many Of the children fell because 0
the exceeding slipperiness of the looI
President Roosevelt tried to pick then
up is fast as they fell, but they Eel
TOO ltsl. ne Hdu ~ vail AOA anu, a
Major McCauley, with his clankin
sword. and many Of the ushers assist
ca him Absolutely no restraint wa
put on the children. They had thoI
oughly enjoyable afternoon
This was The first children's party 0
any magnitude since the days Of Pres
ident Tyler. Fathers and grandfather
of many Of the children present toda.
attended the fancy dress ball given /
IL honor of President Tylefs granddaugI
ter, Mary Fairlie Tyler Little Mis-
3. Tyler was dressed ais Titania and 30
h. children We're her guests, Mrs. ClevC
land gave childrens parties, but tn
guests included only the children Q
intimate friends Mrs. Roosevelt ha
II given two previous children's parties
II but the guests on neither occasio
IA numbered more than thirty or forty
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