The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-18

House someone asked her how she liked
 having the President in the house all
 the time. She answered that it was very
 nice In a way, but that she liked the old
 conditions better.
 Tt is the event of the day, you know.
 she said, ito kiss your husband goodbye
 when he goes out in the morning, and
 then to meet him when he comes back.
 I feel as though I have missed some
 thing, now that things have changed"
 Ordinarily, Mrs.s Roosevelt gives the
 first two hours of her morning to Miss
 Isabel Hagner, her efficient secretary.
 Miss Hagners presence in the White
 House Is in itself a testimonial to the
 sterling character of it's mistress, for
 she Is the daughter of Mrs Rooseyelts s
 old family doctor and one of her own
 pupils when she taught Sunday school
 at St. Johns. The most cordial relations
 exist between all the Roosevelts and
 Miss Hagner and her work, which other
 wise might become irksome and formal,
 becomes like a visit to the home of pleas
 ant friends. Miss Hagner frequently ac-
 companies Mrs. Roosevelt for a walk or
 on a shopping expedition. In the early
 spring and autumn months Mrs. Roose- welt may be seen every morning taking
 brisk constitutional, but when the so-
 cial season opens or when Christmas is
 at hand, she is compelled to give up this
 feature of her day. In walking, Mrs.
 Roosevelt invariably wears short dark
 skirt, usually of grey or black homespun,
 with a soft felt hat and gracefully twin
 ed veil which gives a feminine touch to
 this rather severe apparel. In warm
 weather she clings to the same cut of short skirt made of dark blue or brown linen, and sailor hat. She always wears what is generally known as the common | .t. @.-1w anaN nal occasions does she yield to fashion in the French heel or patent leather. Is a MoveabIe Feast.
 With President Roosevelt luncheon Is moveable feast. It is likewise a meal which must have elastic qualities, for many times in the course of the week
 food is prepared for six people and the
 President makes his appearance with four others. Consequently, no meal at the White House is ever prepared for
 just the exact number in the Presiden-
 tial family Even at a o'clock break
 fast, some early caller may be ushered
 in with barely a moments warning
 This trait of the Presidents, of course,
 does not cause much inconvenience now,
 but in the first years of Mrs. Roosevelt s
 married life, 1t was, so to speak, an issue, which happily was met and con-
 duered with her gentle methods
 The afternoon. Mrs. Roosevelt gives her | friends and family, with an occasional | outing in her smart trap. There is scarcely day that some friend has not i another friend to present or some mat | ter regarding the children which needs
 personal attention. Then. during the of ficial season, there are semi-private en- | tertainments in progress several times a
 week. Dinner is served in the great state | dining room every evening at 7:30, when | only the family is present and at when there are formal guests. The small chii- l dren have dinner at 6, and frequently 1 their mother takes a little soup, or at
 least sits and talks with them about their lessons and the events of the day.
 There is time of the day or night when the President and Mrs. Roosevelt ! are not accessible to their children. There was much amusement at cabinet
 meeting not long ago when the august
 assemblage was startled by a ball bound
 ing in the door which opens from a garden, and the simultaneous appearance of Quentin, the youngest of the children. who requested his father to pitch it 1 out to him. request which the Presi- dent complied with. after a laughing apology to h's assembled .cvisors.
 Watched the Proceedings.
 Another amusing scene occurred dur ing the first year of the Roosevelt re- gime and at the first evening 1evee. This was before the reconstruction of the old mansion and a flight of stairs led from the private apartments to the state cor ridor, where the guests were gathered Some one chanced to glance up the stairs, and there sat a row of little white re bed youngsters. watching the proceed ings with the utmost interest It requir- ed an order from their mother. who was below receiving the homage of tn peo- pie. before they dispersed to bed. Dur ing the public levees and at the afternoon
 receptions. the Roosevelt children now