The Washington times., 1904-12-25
White House

President and Mrs. Roosevelt now
have all of their family with them at
the White House, and though there are
no house guests outside the family cir
Gle, the gayest Christmas the old dwell
ing ever covered is in progress.
Unless all signs fail, as they did when
Archibald played them trick last
year, there will be no tree today. This
morning there was laid out on the vari-
Gus tables and desks in the library.
magnificent collection of gifts, ranging
in interest and value from the beautiful
things brought to the President and
Mrs Roosevelt, by the Secretary OF war
and Mrs Taft from the Philippines.
similarly handsome gifts from General
and Mrs Chaffee. to the simple and al
together childish things made and con-
tributed by the children.
The women of the Cabinet family no
longer pool their finances for large
gift to Mrs Roosevelt but this year as
last. have each brought her separate
gift. none of them knowing what the
other has given
The President and Mrs. Roosevelt ex-
change gifts each year, often of no
material value greater than the cost of
O. book but since coming to the White
House the President has each year
given her a jewel of some kind or
piece of gold or silver. and observed
the same custom this year
The Roosevelt children. from Miss
Roosevelt down to Quentin. the young
est, have exchanged gifts. the greatest
rosstble secrecy having been observed
Mrs. Roosevelt and the President were
made acquainted with the various hiding
nIaces last evening. that they might put
them all together in the library. There
ere cousins innumerable IL the family
ali on the closest terms of intimacy
with the Presioent's children. and they
have all EXCHANGED gifts
There are more children in the Cabi
net family. too. this year. 20 help make
things lively. and the three younger
children of Secretary and Mrs. Taft. {
daughter the age of Ethel Roosevelt
Elizabeth Taft eleven years old. anC
two sens, have for days past been max
ing secrets journeys to and from th'
White House. There are two younger
children IN the family of the Postmastel
GGnGral ana MIS- w &4iu tiAcoN
with the Tafts, the Cortelyous, and th'
James r. Garfield children. have raiset
n merry bout at the White House fo
some time past, and VIII continue 1t OF
q rnilder scale tomorrow.
All the presents. even those for tn
servants at the White House are dis
posed of in the library, and this morning
the President and Mrs. Roosevelt called
everyone IN for the grand distribution
There will be only a family party a
dinner tonight the real Christmas din
ner with the biggest turkey being re
served for tomorrow night. when great
er hiIarity Will obtain.
Even for this event. however, ther'
Will be no guests, outside Of the rela
,ives of the family. Today. either afte
luncheon or before. the entire famil,
v,l, as usual, repair TO the home o
C-antaf11 and Mrs. Cow-es, where beau
ttf,I Christmas tree has been decorat
Cd All of the Presidents children hav
carried presents to the Cowles hom
to adorn this tree, ana have taken a
much interest in it as has Sheffiel
Cowies. the small nephew OF the Presi
dent During Christmas week there vii
be only fmpromptu entertainments. wit
informal visits from relatives an
friends. and for a full week the Whit
House will be abandoned to family en-
tertaiuments.