Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-12-20

The coming OF Christmas 10 never
forgotten at the White House. While
every presidents family has cele-
brated the festival according to their
own wishes, and without attempting
to follow precedent, none have ever
permitted the occasion to pass unno-
ticed.
President Jackson, whose wife was
dead and who had no family, and
whose friends were his political asso-
ciates, made Of Christmas gala day
for the few servants Of the White
House, numbered among whom were
two or three personal attendants from
his Tennessee plantation.
But few presidents have had young
children to make Merry Christmas in
the White House. During the civil
war Tad Lincoln was the White House
baby, and around him centered the
Anterest at Christmas time. The fol-
lowing true story is told Of Tad al
that time:
'Father," said little Tad, there is
something I'd like for Christmas, II
,you'll give 1t to me-"
As the son asked the question his
father looked at the boy over the rims
OF his spectacles in grave way he
had, and replied
what is that, my SOM"
Il want theater," said Tad.
rs that all?" responded Mr.. Lin
coin, laying down the papers "a
lengthy report from one of the gen
erals in the field) which he had been
perusing. well, my boy, don't
know that l have any objection.
There are plenty of them, l suppose,
in the toy shops"
20, but / don't want toy theater,"
protested the youngster; II want
real one"
The president gazed at him In some
surprise. "Is Growers theater for
saler he asked. "or Ford's, per-
haps?"
'of course not, father. At any rate.
] don't suppose so. But there isn't
any reason why we shouldn't have
Itheater in the White House, If you
lare willing"
Mr.. Lincoln was not at first disposed
to take the suggestion favorably, but
Tad, who was his favorite child, and
at that time II years Of age, was per-
sistent, and at leng / the indulgent
parent yielded This was Just before
the Christmas of 186S-too late to
have the theater ready for the holi.
days, many preparations being re-
Quired; but 1t is a natter of history,
though known to few, that not long
after the following New Years day
the boys ambition was realized,
room on the second floor of the execu-
tive mansion being set aside for the
purpose, and a stage erected, with gas |
foothghts and some simple scenery.
It so chanced that Mr.. Grover, the !
manager of Growers theater, which
stood on the site Of the present New
National theater In Washington, only
a couple OF blocks from the White
House, was great friend OF Tad.
Mr.. Lincoln often went there, some
times accompanied by Mr.. Seward, his
secretary Of state, and 1t was a com
mon thing for the advertisements of
the playhouse to announce that q GER
tain performance would be given "at
the request OF the president"
Grover helped Tad to rig up" the
theater at the White House, a sort
Of fence being constructed to shut OF
the space to be occupied by the audi
ence, for whose accommodation plenty
Of chairs and sofas were easily OBJ
tainable. For quite awhile plays were
given twice a week, the patrons Of the
extemporized playhouse being mostly
boys and girls Of the ofhcial Washing
ton circle. Frequently, however.
grown people we're present at the
performances, and now and then Mr..
Lincoln and bis wife. The actors
we're furnished TO q large extent By a
PennsyiEanis regiment Of "Bucktails.
then stationed At the capital
Christmas with the Grants.
IN ths way Of Christmas parties At
a. White House. none IN all The his
t1Iy q that interesting manSion has
han o rsnarkabls e ons hat vas