The National tribune., 1904-01-07
new YEARS DAY.
ii. Greatest r'.s'e' :, Al y. Year
at the WHITE House,

t
! The first. day Of Janrry, at the White
House is Joy for everybody. For 100
years it has been the pleasure Of the Chief
Executive of the Nation to throw open the
White House to the, world on New Years
day, and he would be indeed a rash Pres
ident who, OF his own free will refused to
privilege. 1t is the only day in the year
that really and truly belongs to the people.
While it is the one day in the year when
diplomats don their full regalia of Office
and make radiant the streets and avenues
of Washington as they dash to the White
House to pay their respects to the Presi-
dent, it is also the one day in the year
when the white wings" who clean the
pavements in front of the Executive Man
sion may leave their street-sweepers and
fall into line" long enough to grasp the
hand of the President, or when the boot
black or newsb0y can saunter in and give
their fists" to the President, who grasps
them just as cordially as he docs those of
the banker or the statesman. Watch as
closely as you will, you can see not the
shadow of a shades difference between his
greeting of the woman who dusts your
bric-a-brac for SO much per, and the wom-
an whose millions built the house in which
the bric-a-brac is lodged.
The day was as mild as though May
zephyrs were playing among the flowers
along the walks leading to the great north
entrance to the White House. The sky
was blue, the sun was bright. That meant
that the thousands who got into line by
10 o'clock need not worry about pneumonia
later. 1t is no laughing matter-this thing
OF standing in line for hours on an icy
pavement with the mercury crawling into
the bulb, and the wind splitting the atmos-
phere with knife-edged keenness. Yet
thousands get into that slow moving line
every year. no matter what the elements
are, and doctors and undertakers reap rich
haryests Immediately after. They will
have no such good luck this year. A baby
might have played out in the yard with
Quentin and never once thought of Group.
There were almost no decorations about
the White House. Some huge pots of
Boston ferns were set in the tindow
inches of the East Room, and few bou-
quets OF roses and carnations were dis
posed about that bluest of Blue and red
dest of Red Parlers. Mrs. ROosevelt's
taste does not seem to run much to dow-
ers. She does not often carry them, and
has them but sparsely displayed at any Of
her receptions. Mrs. Harrison. Mrs Gleve-
land and Mrs. Mckinley made lavish use
of flowers. The display at the reception
was one of the sights. that all enjoyed.
But that was in the day Of the devoted
Phisterer and the White House Conserya-
tories. before he was discharged and the
conservatories torn away to make room
for the exeresence ON the horizon now
known as the Executive Offices.
The Curtains were all up, and the sun
shine poured into the Mansion in a food
OF golden glory. He, saw pretty sight
too. He did, indeed There were, lots of
lovely girls and they were beautifully
gowned. 1t would seemsias though there
had never been an better-dressed New
Years reception. There were handsome
fnatrons elegantly, attired, and the men
were gotten mp regardless. Every mothers
son who had a uniform. put it on. aud
Brought forth every badge and medal in
the family. Chain spurs tangled, sabers
and swords clashed fntIsicaliy, and the
various arms Of the service. both "foreign
and domestic made d, rich harmony OF
colorfhg that fairly edazzfed the eyes as the
reds and yellows. THO baby blues and the
and nodding plumes passed and repassed.
Rich? Aye, true It was, and even the
mighty Rubens would have paused
aghast at the task Of faithfully putting it
on his canvas. 1t couldn't be painted, 1t
is not to be described. Words are made
quate You must just view the scene your
self to comprehend it. hfs~t
The foreign contingent came early and
gathered in the State Dining Room, where
they remained until the hour for the res
eeption, which always opens exactly at II
o'clock,
The ladies who were to receives ssbehind.
the iine," but who, as the little boy put it
were really "befront" OF the line, passed
directly into the Blue Room, where they
shook hands and chatted like covey Of
magpies. That lot Of women settled one
thing, at least-gray is to be a fashionable
early season color. There were Is gray
dresses in the Blue Room party. ranging
from cyepe-de-chine to broadcloth, velvet,
satin, silk, and mousselaine de sole. Tile
jewel is the pearl. Every 9TH
err woman in the smart set at the White
House wore pearls.
: Mrs. Roosevelt wore long-trained
gown of white crepe, the only relief on the
soft, long lines being some tncks at the
foot. The waist was trimmed with beau
tiful old lace, and was worn with twist
Of white tuile at the throat. OF course.
the skirt was unlined and It was worn
over long skirt of soft white taffeta. Miss
Alice Roosevelt Wore a pale-blue silk dress
very simply made. 1t was the soft, thin
silk crepe that il scarcely heavier than
tulle. 1t was full in the back Of the skirt
and had n short train, tho foot having sim
ply deep hem. The waist was q full.
haf-bloused affair shocked from throat to
belt. Miss Alice IL fond of blue, and can
wear 1t very well. The petticoat under the
silk was Of unidentified white chiffon.
Little Miss Ethel wore thin white silk
with gold beads, and she with some little
girl friends had most delightful time as
they wandered around through the throngs
OF people.
Young Teddy, Archie and Kermit were
not at home They came In the grounds
about 1 o'clock and from their appearance
must have been OF skxting. They went
directly to the living. part of tho White
House, However.
The most elegant and the costliest eos
tunes at the reception were worn by His
Excellency Sir LANG Cl,eng, the Chinese
Minister, and his attaciaes< NOtAinx like
them has ever been seen In CHS country.
Sir Liking 81 Immensely wealthy. 4 per-
senl friend Of his Emperor, and he bears
the peaccck-feath er Eank-pink coral bat
ton and oil. Tho hibpse Minister b.
nearly aix feet tall and EeH pFypoTtioued
ana ho0 the COglPflieaf r1r,9 dnor is,Sn u1,l>