Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-05-08
ANNUAL EGG-ROLLING DAY
Augusta Girl Gives Entertaining Description of
Washington's Unique Custom.

| cuiudy -SCHOOi picnic up III Maine, as
all kinds of eatables rapidly disa p
peared
1t was interesting to note the "qual-
! 1ty of the crowd. as seldom is such a
| cosmopolitan lot of children gathered
| together. 1t is time honored custom
Gas our Fast Day proclamations some
| times put IT'D and one which Is anxious
~ awaited by The small people of the city.
| who take great delight in the preparation
| or the eggs and in coloring them in fan
tastic designs. The eggs are hard
boiled" of course. diamond dye and all
| Kinds of cOlOring matter being used on
| the shells to bring about the desired cf-
| fects. One secs the aristocratic tots from
homes OF wealth, with childish democracy
h"bnobbing with the son of the black man
who drives around to the back yard after
the ashes. The cute little pickaninnies
| are Il constant source of interest. and
| they are numerous in the capital city
| much too numerous. some people think.
but that makes no difference to them as
| they make merry on this chldren's day.
A group of funny little Chinese boys and
| girls were having the time of their lives,
as they chased the eggs along the paths,
| and various other natiOnalties were also
| represented
The eggs were Of all descriptions. the
real thing being, of course. the most de-
| S'rable. because you could eat them
| There were also big china and candy
| "make-believcs." and rabbits and other
| toys. l was reminded of a email friend
| OF mine who, when asked by his smaller
brother where Easter eggs came from.
said in a Disguised tone. why don't you
! know: The rabbits lay them. of cO,rse.'
Some of the more favored children had
| larger and more elaborate baskets of
| eggs and we sometimes caught them shy
! ly dropping bright one in somebody's al
most empty basket
My little fricnd-whOm we will call
DOrothy-was quite impressed with this
Sche Inc.
Lets find little black hoy who
hasn't any eggs and give him one" she
said.
So VIC strollcd along until small boy
attracted our attention. His skin was
black and his big eyes wide open with ex-
Citcment. as he watched the other merry
makers. He wore n coat of broad red and
white striped cambria. His trousers were
| a bright blue.
He looks like flag" whispered
Dorothy.
She selected her most beautiful egg
gorgeous in purple and gold. with little
to decide, they were all 50 lovely. When
MIR. Pickuninny wasn't looking she quietly
placed the brilliant egg in the rough little
basket beside him. which contained only
one. then jumped back to my side.
Pretty soon Pickaninry glanced down a
his basket. His big eyes opened wider
than ever.
"Who uns give me dat?" he said in ut
ter bewlderment looking admiringly at
his treasure. He gazed around and
looked suspiciously =; us. but We were in
off over the White House roof.
isn't that balloon having a picnic?" |
said. and we both laughed.
lady. baby carriage and piece Of
carneting spread on the ground next at
tractcd our attention.
Wont you and your little girl sit
down" said the little mother,
THANK you." said ]. we will
My haby's tired said the lady. so |
put hin. to sleep in the carriage. Isn't
yours tired. too?'. she added. politely
Yes" | replied my little girl is get
i'ns T. !! tr'''e weary How old is your
lie will be two years in November
How oil! is yours
We'll" l said hesitatnGly. "she is quite |
girl. you see. Er-she will bc-eight
next August
why. Miss Shorey.'' said Dorothy. in
disguised tone, Il will be ten in No
vember,"
I got mp hastily and we walked away
Which shows it is never safe to practice |
deception. even for fun unless you take |
the little ones into the joke. |
Just then the band struck up '"rhc Star |
SranCled Banner" and as if by magic the
crowd turned toward the southern bal |
cony of the White House. The doors
opened and the President. Mrs Roosevelt |
ana the children. with a party of friends |
came out and saluted the assembled null
titutle. The little folks on the lawn
kcrchiefs. while the little Roosevclts re-
turned the salutcs with fcrvor and the
President bowed and smiled in his much
carcatured way. The children of the
evidently having returned from ccle
bration of their own. They stood enjoy
ing the animated spectacle while one lit
tie chap near by said:
Pretty hard luck to be the Presidents
boy today. bet a quarter Kermit wishes
he was out here this minute. and he ran
off to grab an cSg which CHANGED just |
then to come his way.
Later on, we were told the little Roosc-
velts came to the egg rolling and enjoyed
the full liberty of being private citi-
The children of older growth were now
being admitted and the occasion becoming
more of a general promenade.
My little girl was getting tired. sure
~. and so we turned our steps toward our
temporary home. Ae we strolcd along
the paths. hordered by blOssOming shrubs
and myriad Of star flowers in the grass
VIC stopped a moment by one of the foun-
tains to watch the ranbows made by the
rays of the sun shining on the falling wa
ter.
Looking back at the many children
still ut their frolics. the thought came to
me that soon these little people. and the
many thousands like them throughout the
land would he the men and women of our
country. making Americas history, their
energies now so vigorously devoted to
chasing the playthings of the hour.
turned to the more serious duties of life
pursuing the golden egg of fortune. may
he. often as elusive and easily lost as the
bright ones they were now striving TO
capture. Some would have elaborate
baskets. heaped up and running over. 9th
ers must he content with mcagre SIM
ply. like our little black friend. and many.
perhaps. would have none at all. or n
more agile neighbor would take AWAY
even that which he hath
Wasn't MIR. Picknanny happy with tho
egg CAV" him?" said Dorothy. breakin.
into my revcrie
And the look of pleasure in both uttle
faces-the black and the whjtc-has 70
manned in my memory ever since
EVA l.. SHOREY.