The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1904-01-07
WHITE HOUSE FROLIC.
President Played With Six
Hundred Little Xmas Guests.
ROMPED WITH THEM FOR AN HOUR

Played "CT8ck the Whip at n Chill
dren's Party - Archie Roosevelt
Danced an Old Fashioned Break
Boys Concert "a Feature of the
Function.
"Nursie, rub my tummier walled
fve-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-
tiers of government officials, army and
navy officers and friends of President
Roosevelt's family, were there. The
invitations read, ''F'rom o'clock until
$50" None was late. Some came in
carriages, accompanied by nurses and
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 at
home Archie Roosevelt sought his old
friends among the boys and said to
them, "Now. 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
green's, flowers and music. Mrs. Roose-
welt greeted her little guests in the
green room, wishing them all a 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
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 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
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 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 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.
The older children began dancing in
the east room while the younger ones
had romp, playing games and sex
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 he" 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 ana
Major McCauley. with his cIanking
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 children's party OF
any magnitude since the days OF Pres
ident Tyler. Fathers and grandfathprs
Of many of the children present today
attended the fancy dress bali given in
honor of President Tyler's granddaugh
ter, Mary Fairlie Tyler Little Miss
Tyler was dressed as Titania, and 800
children were her guests. Mrs. Cleye-
land gave children's parties, but the
guests included only the children of
intimate friends. Mrs. Roosevelt has
given two previous children's parties.
but the guests on neither occasion
numbered more than thirty or forty.
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