The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-04-24
No "Grown-Ups' Ad-
mitted to the Grounds
Without Children.
LEND ME YOUR BABY"
Little Fellows Rent Them
selves Out as Passports to
the Childless.

If any orthodox, self-respecting hen
were to walk into the White House
grounds and see the hundreds Of multi
colored eggs that are being rolled around
by the hosts of little tots gathered there
today, she would set UP a squawk of
modification and wonder, and take to
the high perch the tall trees as fast as
wings and legs would carry.
Blue eggs, green eggs, yellow, red,
brown, white, and rainbow-hued eggs
are flying about the grass as thick as
swallows in summer. It is "Egg-rolling
Day" the hanpiest and brightest day
in the calendar for the little ones of
Washington. They are out in full force,
taking advantage of the brilliant wealth
er that is here to permit them to cele-
brate Easter Monday according to time
honored custom.
Open at O'clock.
At o'clock the gates to the White
House grounds were thrown open. Half
an hour later the grounds Were filled
with youngsters, carrying BAGS and bas
kets, full Of gay-colored Easter eggs.
Orders We're issued that no grown
ups should be permitted to the grounds
unless accompanied by children. Many,
however, eluded the police stationed ar
the gates, and got in by one ruse or
another.
Finding the way barred they would
walk off short distance and borrow a
child for the occasion
'Lend Me Your Baby"
Do lend me your baby said one wo-
man 20 a pretty, young mother who
came along with three youngsters, one
a baby In arms They won't let me
in without a child, and must get In
The little mother would not give up
the baby, but handed over one OF the
other children. The two women went
ii: together.
Boy for Rent
A red-headed, freckle-faced boy, ten
o. twelve years old, WAS making profit
ont of the rule against the "grown-ups." :"
Standing just outside the gate, he
watched for those who were turned
away Sizing up a Times reporter as
one Of the ehildless. he slipped up and
whispered:
Mister, I'll take you in for dime
| Make out I'm your little boy and they'll
pass you
The reporter, being single, blushed,
| and sought entrance by the "open
sesame OF his calling.
A Gay Scene.
Once inside. visitors are impressed
with the gayety OF the scene, where in
| FAINT happiness rules uncontrolled. Chill
dren of all ages rush and scramble
about the grounds, rolling eggs down
the sides of the hills, hitting each other
With egg shells when the rolling process
proves destructive to the highly adorned
| contents Of their baskets, and having d
/ glorious time Of 1t in many other ways.
| Good temper pervades the whole at
ncsphere. Few children were heard
| crying.
Mrs. Roosevelt's Guests.
In honor Of the occasion Mrs. Rose
/ Welt had invited number of friends to
view the scene from the back porch of
! the White House. They gathered early
| and apparently derived infinite pleas
ure from the antics of the little folks.
Little Quentin Roosevelt was on hand
with two or three friends. He was arm
ed with a toy rabbit and handful OF
| bright Easter eggs He enjoyed the oc-
casiCn as much anybody.
Among Mrs. Roosevelt's guests were
Secretary end Miss Morton. Secretary
Wilson, Mrs. Fairbanks and Miss Fair
banks, Colonel and Mrs. Bromwell, Miss
Hagner and several OF President Roose-
velts military aides.
Marine Band Concert.
At ! o'clock the grounds were closed
The children then went to the Ellipse
to hear the Marine Band give ito con-
cert.
How long ago egg rolling was begun
in Washington, nobody living seems tc
know, not even the oldest inha bitant'
1t is supposed, however, 20 have beer
8 adopted from an old German custom
| Be that as 1t may, Easter Monday has
long been set aside for the children OF
: Washington
3 The White House grounds are turned
| over to them. No discrimination is made
: All are welcome to a happy day, anc
: half the children in Washington respond
Even the street fakirs turn out in full
/. force. Every road that leads to tn.
Y White House is lined with these enter
{ prising gentry, having everything fo
! sale, from peanuts and popcorn to walk
} ing canes and toys, and doing thriv
: ing trade.