The Washington herald., 1910-12-31

/. Clifford Lanham. assistant superin-
tendent of parking for the District, has
reached the acme Of ingenuity ia the
line Of providing z ristmas novelties 70
his two little children. This year he has
quite outdone all others. and. like a
modern magician. has turned the front
parlor Of his home at 12G G street south
east into a miniature village. without
forgetting. of course, the children's
Christmas tree.
One must see this tiny village to
fully appreciate the ingenuity and pains
spent in making it, and the raptures OF
delight which escaped from the lips of
his two "kiddies" on Christmas morning
fully expressed their own appreciation.
Mecca for SiEhtseerS.
Mr.. Lanham's home has been a Mecca
for sightseers. There can always be
found a group OF children, who ask per-
mission to get one look at the novelty.
And aside from the children and his own
friends. many District officials. as well
as members Of Congress and other gov
ernment officials. have gone TO his house
10 S4AActN their OMu CNi Justly II II Edit
TO say that not one of them left dsap-
pointed
By means Of several electric switches
and an ordinary water cock. Mr.. Lanham
was able to give a realistic touch 10 the
whole scene. This is something OF a
general idea of what the Lanham tots
are playing with every day,
Taking up nearly the entire psrlor is a
beautifully laid out little country VIII
lage, The central figure is a large coun-
try mansion. with green terraces. real
small trees in the yard. and incidentally
beautifully decorated Christmas tree,
reaching to the ceiling OF the room.
In front of this mansion is laid out
the general plan of the village. Tiny car
tracks are used with single car, while
men and women and carriages may be
seen on the streets. BY means of com
mon sawdust which ne has soaked in
green paint, Mr.. Lanham has given d
realistic reproduction of grass. while
chopped cork serves for his paths and
streets.
Mill Pond Reproduced.
But more unique than any Of these is
the perfect model of country mill, with
real water in the pond, ducks swimming
about, and the min wheel rnerrIly forcing
currents of water through the pond. In
side the mill there are the dusty mfllers.
and one can even see the stone.
Then on tbs opposite side OF the room
to the right, a bridal party is just leav-
ing a tiny country church. sitter the cere-
mony. while just across the way is a
typical log cabin. with its wood pile and
garden. There is still another house. a
small cottage. In the background with
its own parking.
Then TO add a stn further touch Of
realism. Mr.. I.anham has painted a
country scene OF meadows and woods,
which serves as a background for the
entire scene, with a really excellent ef-
feet
But LET him touch one Of those cleo
trio switches and you see change.
swish" and the dusty millers can be
seen moving about, while all the ma
chinery In the mill turns and the millers
grind out their -four. Even the car
runs. Another touch of a trigger. and the
wheel starts splashing in the water. and
stin apOther electric switch starts the
organ IN the church. Everything is
music when all the switches are turned
on. In the little log cabin the inmates
take out their banjos and fiddles. while
music box in the big mansion gives
one the idea that a dance is going on.
lights Complete TnbIeau.
AS a final effect, MIR. Lanham turns on
the last switch, and tiny lights appear
in each window of all the houses, and
with this the tableau is complete
Mr.. Lanham has spent eight years add
ing to the original scheme. 1t only took
him two days 70 set up the little tab
leau, and he says he just does it for the
pure enjoyment it gives himself as well
as his children. His friends are curious
10 know what he viii make next Christ
mas, but Mr.. Lanham merely smiles and
mods his head, with a guessing ''Wait
and see"