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

during those early days was the fairy
ball given by President Tyler to his
little daughter, Mary. who, as TitanIa.
tho fairy queen. with her silver wand.
gossa ner wings and IL diamond star
on her forehead, held her court In tho
East Room.
Another famous Yuletide party be-
fore tho war was that of the noted
Baron Bodisco, tho Russian minister,
EtYcn few years later in honor of
his two nephewe. His quaint mansion
on 0 Street. Georgetown, was illuml-
mated that night not only by lights
within, but by great bonfirea outside,
which, according to tho Russian Gus
tom. were lighted for tho comfort of
the coachmen
II arranged q perfect fairyland in
side the house. From the balconies I
hung gay curtains. studded with daz-
cling mirrors and inclosing mysterious
spaces one of which contained Won
derful red and gold swings. whilo an
other was piled high with gifts of en-
kinds-toya. picture books, boxes Of
Kid gloves. fame. ribbons and bon
nons. which gave away with my own
hands After round OF Jolly games
the floor was cleared for dancing,
and finally delicious collation. wa.s
served in the dining room.
4 Cinderella of Real Life.
This party proved to DO another
Cinderella ball, and tho real Gin
derolla, who proved TO be its star
guest, was p pretty little George
town schoolgirl of only sixteen years,
who. upon the eve of the Festivities,
had. like Cinderella, pinned at home
because the good baron had invited
all of her playmatee and had ignored
her.
We'll. played the fairy godmother
for little Harriet (for that was her
name--Harriet Williams). Popping into
her window Christmas Eve 1 saw
that she was sad, and. guessing the
reason, i took the matter up with tho
baron. Distressed beyond measure to
ind that. through an oversight, his in
tended invitation had not reached the
pretty girl. he sat right down and
wrote her an abiect apology, as we'll
aa pressing Invita- ton that she honor
him the night OF the ball
so pretty Mistress Harriet dried
ner tears and came to the baron's
Christmas party, radiant fEure in
her Prettiest gown, And 7 RENE mber
now impattently that nobleman await
ed her coming-asking mo to point
her out to him, for he had never seen
her before. 1t was a tateful meeting.
for no fell in love with her at hrst
stSht, and before long lin 1s45) they
We're married in the presence of the
President and distinguished company
of officials, including the diplomatic
| corps In Its dazzling court dress and
the army officers In their resplendent
uniforms
II haven't a very warm place IN
my memory,'i sighed ST. Nick, for
those twenty childless Christmases
which cast their gloom over the White
House Just prior to Lincoln's coming.
tn
and Tad. made UP for all this lost
lime on the first Yuletide they spent
in the big manaion. Poor Willie, how
| ever, was destined to spend only one
such holiday there.
Lincoln's Toy shop.
Again this year, as always sincs
that winter. / shall stock up my pack
p pis With surprises bought from the
Unparalleled in fction-where the sad
ana gaunt martyr President his shawl
across his shoulders. used. per
| things for Tad and wills l and e ehelr
| little playmates. In this old store q
descendant OF the original German pro
prietor is still supplying the capitals
delight their little hearts on Christ.
mas morning
rAnd. speaking OF TAD Lincoln.
recall one Christmas morning when he
because the latter would not supply
turkey and cranberry sauce to q 20!
| offpoor urchins whom Tad had brough,
IN from the streets, Finally the Presi.
/ dent was appealed to. Tad won the
d9y. snd some Of his protegss are pseh-
ably still boasting that thsy once ate
! Chrlstnaas, dinner at the White House
One of tho Joliest Yulstide parties
lin that old house wa 1.-THE ball giver
! by President Johnson Christmas Week
,i1s6S. to 400 little boys and girls twht
iEmerrily tripPed through their waltzea
.tpolkas and dances in that sarsa great
i east room where Andrew Jacksons lit,
i tie guests had their snowbail sfight, anc
i where Mary Tyler held her fairs court
4 Two little girls ON this festive ocoat
Il Mon did az Spanish dance, and at The
3bGlpaes oil the evening The sroTp4ups
Il idahced the Sirginis, reel q ,iG M
n GhrtstmnssD oil From the Presiaenf