Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1904-01-29
WHITE HOUSE FROLIC.
President Played With Six
Hundred Little Xmas Guests.
RoNPED WITH THEM FOR AN HOUR

Played ssCrael< the whip" at n Chill
dren's Party - Archie Roosevelt
Danced nm Old Fashioned Break
down on Historic Dining TabIe-A
Function.
"Nursie, rub my tummier' walled
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-
tiers of government officials. army and
navy officers and friends of President
Roosevelt's family, were there. The
invitations read, From 4 o'clock until
$50" None was late. Some came in
carriages. accompanied by nurses aud
maids. Mrs. Roosevelt had maids to
straighten 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 CT
home. Archie Roosevelt sought his OLD
friends among the boys ard said to
them. Nov. PoD fellers mrs< nelp me
entertain The shy and nervous quick
IL were put at their ease and taken up
stairs, where the Marine band was
playing The music stimulated the chi
dren, and soon all were playing and
romping about.
Everywhere were lights, Christmas
greens. flowers and music. Mrs. Raose-
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 were given a
souvenir-a bit of cerise ribbon with Il
white button inscribed "a Merry
Christmas and Happy New Year"
In the east room the youngsters for
an hour listened to music by a boys
concert company from Chicago. There
were eleven numbers, and some of the
younger children began to show signs
of Impotence.
Refreshments will be served in the
state dining room,'' 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
a hundred years, was decorated with
candelabra, holly and ferns. In silver
dishes were bonbons. fancy cakes and
other good things to eat. Four big
Santa Clauses stood guard at each COR
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 were 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
ed little parties and scattered all over
the mansion. Youngsters with candy
gummed fingers made in ions en-
the walls, but nobody Mrs.
Roosevelt had medicines at land, 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.
Il,
the east room while the younger ones
had a romp, playing games and Tex
ploring" At the height of the fun
President Roosevelt joined the young
sters at play and romped with them
for an hour.
"Why, he's just like any other man.
amt hep" said one delighted child
when the president was playing "crack
the whip with them.
During the dancing in the east room
many Of the children fell because of
the exceeding slipperiness of the floor.
President Roosevelt tried to pick them
up as fast as they fell, but they fell
too fast He had to call for aid. and
Major MeCauley. with his clanking
sword. and many of the ushers assist
ed him. Absolutely no restraint was
put on the children. They had a thor
oughly enjoyable afternoon.
This was the first childrens party OF
any magnitude since the days of Pres
ident Tyler Fathers and grandfathers
of many of the children present today
attended the fancy dress ball given in
honor of President Tyler's granddaugh.
ter, Mary Fairlie Tyler. Little Miss
Tyler was dressed as Titania. and 300
children were her guests. Mrs. Cleve
land gave children's parties, but the
guests included only the children OF
intimate friends. Mrs. Roosevelt has