The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1908-03-27
Historic Event.

History does not record a more re-
markable gathering at the white house
than that at Christmas. State din
ners, diplomatic receptions and cab
met meetings gave way to childhood,
and the machinery of our great gov
eminent stopped for a time while hun
dreds of children, invited by Mrs.
Roosevelt to hear "Roney's Boys" of
Chicago, took possession of the home
of the presidents. In point of size,
the records of the white house do not
show such a wonderful gathering of
children. In respect to quality it was
no less remarkable. The assistance
of the state and war departments was
enlisted by Mrs. Roosevelt to ascer-
tain the names of all children between
six and sixteen years of age in the
families of the diplomatic corps, and
officers of the army and navy, and
equal care was exercised that none
were overlooked in the families of the
cabinet, supreme court, senators, rep
resentatives, assistant secretaries,
heads of departments and the accred-
tied newspaper correspondents in
Washington.
1t was therefore a distinctly repre-
sentative gathering from the first fam
lilies of the nation and of foreign gov
ernments, in official and social life.
The walls of the historic least room"
teeming with memories of respondent
ceremonials and stately functions,
never looked down upon a fairer
scene than upon these hundreds Of
lovely children in holiday attire-the
very flower of the land-who waited
with eager expectancy the opening Of
| the program.
Across the entire north or front end
of the east room stretched the daz-
cling golden organ chimes" and the
platform erected for the boys, and be-
| tween them the $4,000 gold piano"
used by Mr.. Roney throughout the
program, a superb creation entirely
covered with gold leaf and bearing on
its sides the coats of arms of the thir'
teen original states, painted by ia
nous artists. The program included
several old Christmas carols especial
| ly requested by the president and
Mrs. Roosevelt.
During the serving of refreshments
that followed in the state dining room
the east room was cleared of the gold
and silver chairs-a crash of music
| from the famous Marine band, and
like magic the great room was filled
with flying fairy figures reflected on
the polished floor.
A prettier scene was ne'er beheld
within these historic walls. Veterans
in the social political and business
world wished themselves again in
childhood's realm, as they looked Ions
and lovingly on the bewildering pic
ture, which the happy participants
will describe to the grandchildren
many years hence. and which in Its
many-sided attractiveness can scarce
ly hope to be excelled in the present
generation.
Not detail was omitted by Mrs
Roosevelt that could contribute to the
pleasure of her little guests, who were
made to feel so much at home thai
their youthful awe at the honor o.
being guests of the first lady Of the
land" at the white house quickly gave
way to unalloyed enjoyment.
The president, whose greatness o
heart is attested by his unboundet
love for children, dropped the wearing
cares of the nation and refreshed hi!
soul at the fountain Of youth, ming
ling with the children, cordially speak
ing to every one, and even carrying
refreshments to the little ones over
looked in the crowd, and seeing thai
the tiniest was not neglected.
NaIunr All lMntl cE IEn tn