Evening star., 1909-03-05

ed down on another sea of smiling faces
and again smilingly bowed in compliment
to the cheering.
Mrs. Taft put on her gloves again while
she talked with the new members of the
cabinet and their wives who were pay
ing their respects. Gov. Harmon Of Ohio
also came in and had quite chat with
the President. In which Mrs. Taft also
took part.
When the head of the nation and his
wife were about to take their departure
Mr.. Taft called a hearty Good night to
those on the floor. Thousands heard him
and answered back in the same hearty
fashion.
Departure Before Midnight.
The presidential party was out of the
building few minutes before midnight.
1t was not long after that before gen.
eral scattering began.
If all who came, however. had remained
throughout the evening the handling Of
the throng would have been difficult
matter Hundreds went home after their
first view of the President and party,
mistaking their absence from the box as
Indicating their departure from the ball
room.
Hundreds of those who came in close
touch with the President were pleased
with his remembrance and the laughing
way he recounted their other meetings.
On all sides among those admitted TO
the reserved gallery were heard admiring
comments over the success of the ar
rangements there and the comfort which
was assured all the notabilities OF the
evening
times those who will be to the front for
the next four years. His children. and
his sister and brothers, Mrs. Taft's rela-
tives. and those Of the Vice President
and the new cabinet, their wives and
children made up the gathering, each
basking in a zone of charm and joy the
like of which can come to but few.
Mrs. Longworth Present.
In contrast to all this was the apparent
willingness Of those who are to part
with similar distinction and to go back to
the rank and file from which they emerged
four or eight years ago. Mrs. Longworth
the daughter of Mr.. Roosevelt, the most
! striking figure of all in this group, looked
on the scene with the same cheerful spirit
as If her career was about to take another
step upward. She was dressed In a
sheath gown of amber brocade, and had
on several beautiful diamond and pearl
ornaments, her wedding gifts and more
recent accessions to her jewel box.
| Mrs. and Miss Newberry were close OBJ
servers of the scene on the floor. They
excepting at supper time, did not leave it.
Miss Flora Wilson promenaded the ball
room. having friends with her. Mrs.
Straus and her party were also more n
evidence on the floor than in the reserved
gallery, where they also went for a part
Of the evening.
Mrs. Taft.
Mrs Taft's choice of a gown for the
momentous occasion was rich and becom-
Ing 1t was all In silver and white. The
flmy white fabric was almost entirely
covered with silver and crystal embroid-
cry, a pattern of golden rod in beautiful
panels, catching the light with her every
movement. The skirt had a high waist
line, fitted smoothly around the front and
across the hips and had plenty of fullness
at the back. which was disposed in a
double box pieat, and gave the train an
imposing sweep. The bodice was cut
square back and front. and the point lace
outlining the decUlletage had three shining
bands Of rhinestones and crystals cleaning