The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-24

there knclt eide by side tho bride in
dress. whose iong fringe OF pearl beads
hung below her face, and the groom
in his court robe and big rcd hat. And
after the ceremony the bridal party
with their guests assembled around
a big tree. enjoyed a jolly American
Christmas.
mo. my boy, you can't and Wash
ington'5 equal during young peoples
week. which begins tomorrow night
Cadet dances and cadet dinners for
the Respondent youths home from
Annapolis and West Point; debutante
balls. debutante teas. dehutante din
ners, masked balls domino balls and
costume balls; eggnog parties for the
elders and dinner dances for all alike;
house parties box parties. skating
parties, amateur vaudeville parties;
windows graced by red-bowed wrcaths,
rooms banked with mistletoe, holly
and poinsettia; orchestras playing.
children giGglinS and old folks laugh
ing everywherc: and your ubiquitous.
humble servant dispensing gifts in
scores of fine mansions, IS 1t any won.
der that call this capital city of ours
the gayest Christmas town OF tho
land?"
santa Claus hoped upon the seas
OF his aeroplane and clutched the
control lever.
But wait 1 protested. Tell me
something about Washington's past
Yuletides-those which you have en-
joyed the most"
ITS growing late, my son." an
swered the jolly old soul. IT must be
off for tho White House before the
| family awahes Bit a S an old fellow
who has seen moro than 1900 winters
should be pretty near hia anecdotagc,
| ! ehould not be stinEy with anything
! SO cheap as talk,
| We'll, thero was John Adams, the
| first tenant of the White House. His
| own children were grown, but ] re-
member well his tiny granddaughter,
| Susannah. who lived here with him.
! brought her one Christmas a fine set
! OF dishes which a little playmate. In
| a passion OF envy. smashed all to
| pieces, whereupon Mistress Susannah
| turned cannibal and bit off the head
| Of the little randals wax doll. also
| from my pack. not a. very happy
| Chr stinas party, was 1t?
THE earliest grand frolic which
| rem enber at the stately house was the
| party which my great friend. Andrew
| Jackson. and arranged for that jolly
Presidents little graRdnieces and
| Grendnephews.
| Snowfall Battle I'm EinsS Room.
Just as II it were but last night
| can see. those happy tots marching
| into tho dining room, to the music OF
| the Presidents March," to enjoy the
feast. for which Vivart. The chef. had
done himself proud. In the midst Of
| the big table was a gilt game-cock
surmounting great pyramid of-snow.
balls. each made of starch-coated
| 90 Zoe CT
old Hickory" distributed these mis-
sles among his little guests. tellins
! them to go into tho East Room and
| have grand SNOWFALL fight And
| maybe that grand old parlor was net
| bedlam during the following hour!
! Nor was 1t q quiet spot while Vice
/ President Van Buren, Joined the youth.
ful throng in their games of blind
| mans buff" "puss In corner" and
/, "forfeits,' or while the little girls tried
to catch him under the mistletoe bouSN
that I had hung from the big chan
delier. les, 1t was 8. jolly party and
7 can see those tots now, marching
past the President. each in>turn throw
ing him a kiss and bidding hin, d
! Good dwight, general,
and I recall also one Christmas
! Eve when those aanle White House
| childr en--two little Jacksons and Ave
little Donelsons-hurE up theii
stockings in 'uncle's room where one
| scamp Of boy in high glee tied ont
! of the Presidents socks to the tongs
iby the fireplace, crying Now. Lett.
see how Santa Claus will treat you
Mr. Uncle Jackson. President Of tn:
/ United states,
/ II filled the Presidents cock aions
/ With the others Santa Claus assured
me, with q merry wink. s. s And Z tina
.lfnight the Tiee-Presldent gave me
. minietIya oklpg stove for littl'
y Mary Done soB to whom I also dellv
Il cred for the French ministers wife
II Nine L saruriar, q big boy doll In th
4 fred IA acket & Eli gold tripod trouserF
q fpl1med chap ett,i,! epurs and sshye q
II ii, French sold En- Is 8 ~ I'll ss *
Eaifs. Ban snt White House ~ Y Y.
s5uf tho mos IL orget ue Christina