The Savannah morning news., 1904-12-23
BY r. NJ. Larner.

Keep Christmas.
BY r. M. Larner.
Washington, Dec 22-Christmas will
be observed at the White House with
out any special ceremony or public
function, but in manner suggestive
of happy. contented American family.
President and Mrs. Roosevelt are en-
tirely in sympathy with an appropriate
celebration of the Christmas festival,
and the children of the family are aware
of that fact
Many persons have expressed sur
prise and regret that the White House
children are not given a large Christ
mas tree party in the East Room, for
the entertainment of all the children
of the social and official set. Now as
matter of fact, neither the Roose-
welt children nor their parents could
give such a function without offending
some families who might be overlooked.
There will be no lack of Christmas
cheer and merry making at the White
House while the Roosevelt family re-
side there. 1t will, however, be within
the family circle.
Gifts and "A Family Dinner.
There will be a general exchanging
of gifts throughout the household and
there will be a family dinner party
In the private dining room with per-
haps a few intimate friends or rea-
tives to swell the circle If the wealth
er permits, the President and Mrs
|
ride with one or two companions. The
Roosevelt family rejoice in outdoor life
and they get more genuine pleasure
riding or tramping than they do from
indoor amusements. Like parents, like
children. The little folks would rather
have the freedom Of the White House
Park, where they can roll snow balls
walk stills or indulge in foot races
than play hosts at a formal children's
party.
Kermit is back from school, thus
completing the family circle The real
Christmas agitators at the White
House are Archie and Quinten. They
have been full of Christmas enthusiasm
for weeks past and II they are over
looked by Santa Claus It will not be
their fault or the fault of~those per-
sons around the house who have been
aiding in the correspondence which has
, been carried on with great vigor and
earnestness by the two boys with Old
st. Nick Quinten has received a
straight tip that he is to have a
Christmas tree, with which he expects
to surprise his parents. He has been
down town recently with his governess
on several mysterious missions, and his
playroom is to be regarded by the fam
lily as spot too sacred TO be entered
until Christmas morning.
Presents for Employees.
1t Is the custom of the President to
remember all the employees around the
house at Christmas time, by some
practical gift. The usual course IN
that direction will be followed this
year That the President and his fam
lily will be beautifully remembered by
their friends throughout the country,
is already apparent by the frequent
calls OF the express wagons at the
| White House during the past two
days. Boxes. packages. large and
small, have been smuggled into the
basement to be displayed Christmas
morning.
The members OF the cabinet and
| their families will observe the Christ
mas festival quietly al their respec-
tive homes. Attorney General
Moody, the bachelor member OF the
/ Presidents official household. VIII on
the day. probably desert his bachelor
associates. Gen. crozier. ana Repre-
sentative Gillette OF Massac husctta,
and eat Christmas dinner with Sec
Rotary Morton's family Attorney Gem
eral Moody keeps bachelors hail on X
/ street ~ the house formerly Occu-
pied BY John q. Carlisle when he was
Secretary Of the Treasury under
] Cleveland.