davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-24

little girls on this festive occasion did a
Spanish dance. and at the close of the
evening the grown-ups danced the Vir-
ginia reel.
Zone of the prettieSt Christmas Incl
dents in which President ever figured
occurred in 81, St Nick went on to say.
That year while Passing through Rich
mond, Ind. President Benjamin Harrison
of four who, when he took her upon his
knee, threw her arms about his neck,
kissed him impulsively and thrust a new
penknife into his hand.
when the next holiday time came
near continued Santa Claus, fumbling
in a great fat wallet, the President gave
me letter and beautiful doll, both to
be delivered to that same little girl on
Christmas eve. And here is copy of
that letter. which | shall always keep:
MY Dear Little Friend Santa Claus
read. When you came into Ely car at
Richmond / did not see you until you
stood at my feet looking up to ME SO
sweetly that I did not know but a little
fairy had come in through the window.
But when L picked you up and you gave
me a kiss. then 1 knew it was a real
little girl. The pretty knife you handed
me | will keep till you are a big girl, and
when l go back to Indiana to live you
must come to me and | will show you
that L have not forgotten you. The little
doll which you will find in tile box with
this letter is for you. and hope you will
think ii pretty. If the doll could talk
she would tell you how much 1 love TO be
loved by the little children.
a ffeC tionately yours.
9 BENJAMIN HARRISON
Santa Claus now put away his wallet.
buttoned up his red jacket pulled on his
mittens and fingered the lever of his aero
plane if threatening To fly off But he
could not suppress another happy recol-
lection now fitting into his memory.
Il must not go without mentioning the
srandest Christmas party given in the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-24
The WHITE House

they were married in the presense of the
President and a distinguished company of
officials. including the diplomatic corps
in its dazzling court dress and the army
Il haven't a very warm place in my
memory" sighed ST. Nick, ''for those
twenty childless ChrStmaseS which cast
their gloom over the White House Just
prior to Lincoln's coming. But III ose Lin
coin youngsters Willie and Tad made up
for all this lost time on the first Yuletide
they spent in the big mansion. Poor VIII
lie. however. was destined to spend only
one such holiday there.
again this year. as always since that
winter, l shall stock up my pack partly
with surprises bought from the old New
York avenue toy shop'-now immortalized
III hction-where the sad and gaunt
martyr President, his shawl across his
shoulders. used, personally, to purchase
Christmas playthings for Tad and Willie
and their little playmates. In this old
store descendant of the original Ger
man proprietor is still supplying the cap
itafs youngsters with those things
which delight their little hearts on Christ
mas morning
And, speaking of Tad Lincoln. I re-
call one Christmas morning when he and
the White House cook had a tiff because
the latter would not supply turkey and
cranberry sauce to lot of poor urchinS
whom Tad had brought in from the
streets Finally the President was appeal
ed to. Tad Won the day. and some of his
proteges are probably still Boosting that
they once ate Christmas dinner at the
White House.
'One of the joliest Yuletide parties in
that old house was the ball given by
President Johnson, Christmas week, 1865,
to 400 little boys and girls who merrily
tripped through their waltzes, polkas and
dances III that same great east room
where Andrew Jackson's little guests
had their snow ball fight, and where
Mary Tyler held her fairy court. Two
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-24
ErHE1R0osEvLLTS Xr1As BALL ROOF

not only by lights within, but by great
bonfires outside. which, according to the
Russian custom, were lighted for the
comfort of the Soachmen.
II arranged a perfect fairyland inside
the house. From the balconies / hung
gay curtains. studded with dazzling mir
rOrs and inclOSng mysterious spaces one
of which contained wonderful red and
gold swings, while another was piled high
with gifts Of all kinds-toys, picture
books, boxes Of kid gloves, fans, ribbons
and bonbOnS, which / gave away with my
own hands. After a round of jolly games
the floor was cleared for dancing and
finally delicious collation. was served in
the dining room.
This party proved to be another Gin
derella ball and the real Cinderella who
proved to be its star guest was pretty
little Georgetown schoolgirl, of only six
teen years, who, upon the eve of the fes-
tivities, had, like Cinderella, pIned at
home because the good baron had invited
We'll, played the fairy godmother Tor
little Harriet for that was her name
Harriet Wi1liams). Peeking into her VIM
dow, Christmas eve. saw that she was sad
ana. guessing the reason. took the mat
ter up with the baron. Distressed beyond
measure to find that, through an over
sight, his intended invitation had not
reached the pretty girl. he sat right down
and wrote her an abject apology, as well
as pressing invitation that she honor
him the night of the ball.
So pretty Mistress Harriet dried her
tears and came to the baron's Christmas
party, radiant figure in her prettiest
gown. And I remember how impatiently
that nobleman awaited her coming-a;k-
ing me to point her out to him, for he had
never seen her before. 1t was a fate
full meeting, for he fell in love with her
at first sight, and before long Gn 1S45)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-24
A Fence That Blooms.

From Country Life in America
Throughout the older parts OF Mexico,
Texas and New Mexico many OF the
fences around the corrals. and often tho
gardens, are made of "ocatilla." This Is
a cactuslike plant growing in stalk
form and often reaching height OF TWEEN
ty twenty-five feet. 1t is completely
covered with long, stout thorns.
The stalk is tough, har~ to cut, almost
impossible to break. and growing TO the
height il does 1T makes an effective pro-
lection. 1t is planted usually in three or
four alternate rows and is held together
by buckskin strings or with strong wire.
1t needs but little water.
i believe this ocatilla fence would be
found very satisfactory to use on country
estates. and even the owner of a modest
plot of ground would find 1t good thing
1t prevents stock from breaking in, ell
fectualIy Keeps at a distance all maraud-
ers, and when in bloom is d beautiful
sight, for at the top of the stalk there
comes early in summer a cluster OF deep
ball-shaped blossoms. ] remem-
Der once the astonished, almost horrificd
ex preston of an eastern woman TO whom
mentioned the beauty of the corral fence
when in bloom.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-24

in the Isle Of Null. IL would be oIiilcuIt
10 convey the difference between the eele-
i,,ati04i of the good old feast of Christ
7.iaSs4n those isolated windswept islands
known 10 the world at large as the
Iiebrisfes and such a beautiful, prosper
Gus -iooklng city as Washington I have
felt for weeks the Christmas spirit in the
= Yl In the Washington streets, and the
J,atling. important gait of the citizens
portcuded the mission of getting ready
for the alternating season. William
Hack Is as popular here, and l believe
more 50 than in his home country 50
that the Isle OF Null is not entirely I'M
known TO American eaders.
~ was In tbs rather bleak spot that
As laid the - tne> OF Macleod OF Dare
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-24

all American women accomplish splen-
did things in the civic way. / am moved
to new admiration at every visit. Their
work in the cities for clean streets. for
sanitary laws, for adequate schoolhouses
and all those things tends to make the
community clean, healthy and prosper
Gus. The British woman has various
problems. and public affairs are mana ed
themselves to charity, to the social prob
lens, and they perform prodigies of la
Dor.
In fact. the titled woman of Great Brit
ain Is one Of the busiest and hardest
worked OF our sex, and she performs every
detal personally and with conscientious
eXactness To follow the philanthropic
movements now under control of these
women and to realize how heavy are their
responsibilities is to be convinced that
the Old order changeth and that the
christmas spirit now SO plainly evident
everywhere is not spasmodic zeal for the
hour, but a long-continued struggle for
those 10 whom the responsibility of high
station and abundant means has bean
gwen. But SO also do American women
Ihls country is beloved the world over
Tor It's charity, its spontaneous repIy to
suffering and want, let the cry come from
Whatever quarter or whatever alien land,
so 1t is natural to suppose that it is not
neglectlnS its own problems
Lady Johnstone's visits to Mrs. Pinchot
are always gala season. for she has
many friends and growing circle of ac-
quaintances in Washington Mrs. Pin
chot gave 4 large reception in her honor
last week when all of her own friends and
the countless friends of her mother and
brother were asked to bid her God-speed.
She sailed direct to Rotterdam, but imme-
d1ately after Christmas, with Sir Allan,
she will go again to her friends in the
Isle of Null and remain until January q.
She will have her son with her for Christ
mas dinner in the British legation house
at The Hague, and he will accompany his
parents for the visit to the Hebrides
Il was much attached to Copenhagen"
said Lady tombstone, for We lived there
so many years and had made so many
friends. / have no doubt that we shall
snjoy The Hague in every way I'VE have
,nly just arrived there, and | had barely
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-24

settled my home belongings when l sailed
away for my November visit to my
mother, something never neglected in the
nineteen years of my residence abroad.
'"The legation home in The Hague, So
we'll known to Americans during the re-
gime of my husbands predecessor, Sir
Henry Howard. is the old Spanish inquisi-
ton building in the heart of the pic
turesque city. have heard thrill
ling stories of ghosts, uttering dread
full means and stalking about the
wide. dark halls carrying their heads
under their arms or wringing their hands
in torment, and | have also been told that
the Towards had some difficulty with
their servants on this same subject. But
L presume this is mere banter. Though
remained only a few weeks, the ghosts
kindly kept aloof, and / trust their
thoughtfulness Will continue
Lady Howard, like the present chate-
laine of the British legation at The Hague
is an American, and was before her mar
rage Miss Catherine Riggs of this city
Lazy tombstone says that few capitals of
Europe or any other country are now
without some two or three Americans in
the foreign corps, and there are fewer
still without a colony of Americans resi-
dent Ton some reason, literary, commercial
or scientific. Such colony exists at The
Hague, and there are also numerous Brit
ons, that apart from the pleasant court
life there is another to fill in the spare
hours.
Lady tombstone is deeply interested not
only in British politics, which concern her
husband and must concern her son so
vitality, but also in American affairs espe-
cially in the work in which her brother
Clifford Pinchot, is engaged. She is an
reader of papers and journals
and keeps track of every shade of political
opinion Oh the subjects which interest her.
She is a tall slender woman, with dark,
eyes which are wonderfully
like her brothers, and with the same en-
ergetic and convincing manner of speak
ing. Still in her thirties and i'm perfect
health, Lady tombstone seems one of the
favored of the gods and one to whom all
the good things have been poured out in
reckless pr0fusion. She is, however. like
ier mother and her brother. i'm that she
5 concerned in the welfare of others and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-24
The Song Bird.
M GATTI-cAsAZZA. the man

MI GATTI-cASAZZA. the manager o.
the Metropolitan Opera House.
was talking about famous song birds
These women, as a rule. are modest"
ne said; but now and then we meet
song bird of inordinate vanity
In Milan. In the Arcade, l CHANGED ona
afternoon upon a song bird OF the vain
type, and she asked me how / had liked
her performance the evening before.
1T was superb, perfect l said.
She beamed with such delight thai,
to please her still more. ] added:
1t was divine-like an angels song
but at that she bit her lip.
don't see any need she said, with
an annoyed air, of dragging in the
angel "
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-24
WASHINGTON THE 3AYES'F T CHRISTI

WHO In An Exclusive In
w terview Recalls Mer-
REST Official Christnases of
Bygone Days and Frolics
Which He and Uncle Sam
Still Promote Annually
Gorgeous Christmas Parties
at White House and Lega-
tions-Jackson's Great Yule-
tide Festivity That Ended in
Snowfall Battle in East.
Room-Van Buren, Plays
Blind Mans Buff With Xmas
Guests-"Uncle Presidents"
Xmas Sock-Yuletide Fairy
Queen Holds Court in East
Room, the Baron Bodesco as
the Good Prince-Bids Real
Cinderella to His Xmas Ball,
Meets Her There for First
Time and Marries Her.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-24

she bore when her husband was viceroy
of Canada, the Marchioness Of Lorne."
Lady tombstone, who was Miss An
toinette Pinchot, only daughter OF the late
James w. and Mrs. Pinchot. met her
husband when he was an under secretary
at the British embassy at Washington.
The marriage occurred December II. 1892.
in the home of her parents in New York
city, and was solemnized by Rev. Mr..
Rainsford, rector of the Episcopal Church
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-24
CHRISTMAS TOYS
NURSERY Or GO
AUSTRo- HUNGARIAN EnBASSY
PAoro g WALDON FAWcIIr

White House since the war; he added,
chuckling. THAT was the magnificent
ball which President Roosevelt gave to
his youngest daughter. Ethel. at the time
of her coming out. when she was but sew
enteen. The entire suite Of state apart
mentS was thrown open, and the hum
dredS or guests tripped up the grand
stairway into the lobby, where the por-
traits of Presidents gaZed across banks
of Christmas greens and rows of huge
vases holding whole trees of holly.
Like fairy princess. the flaxen-
haired debutante. in her first ball gown
"a lovely creation of white satin studded
with crystals-stood beside her mother
in the blue parlor. amid wagonloads OF
flowers. sent by friends from far and
near. The Marine Band. in scarlet coats.
played merrily at the front end of the
east room. in which great apartment
of so many memories the dazzling
young diplomats, I'm court dress, and
young army and naval officers, in full
uniform, tripped the light fantastic with
the debutantes of the season and a long
list OF other young guests AT midnight
supper was served at little tables scat
tered through the corridor and dining
rooms. And two nights later Miss Ethel
was the guest of honor at a Christmas
ball given by Mrs. Letter in the white
and gold ballroom of her milion-dollar
palace. Here the 30 young guests
danced beneath scores of gold baskets
filled with begonias and hung from pink
Sdllu tlDDULS, Willie great Oh
the wall reflected their forms as they
glided across the floor to the music that
sifted through a great screen of smilax
and pink blossoms.
"And Helen Taft had as merry n time
last Yuletide, which was the first follow
ing her debut. Every night OF that
Christmas week she attended both q din
ner party and ball at separate houses.
and one night she attended the theater
between two such functions.
But j must be OFF" added the gar.
rulous old codger. My busy day is nigh
at hand
Even with your new aeroplane, how
can you cover SO much ground in SO
short d timer" / asked.
We'll, you see, / have a staff of as
sistants in the countries across the water
The three Magi fill the stockings Of all the
little Spaniards and my sister Befana
leaves the gifts for Italy's youngsters,
while my brother Pelsnichol and his
servant Rupert do the business in Ger
many.
Moreover" st. Nicholas concluded.
my work in Holland was finished three
weeks ago, for / always attend to tho
little Dutchmen on my birthday, Deem
Der .. and, as already minated, do not
have to fill the shoes of the French babies
TIL New Year eve. while my itinerary
never calls me TO Russia until December
d. So YOU see. my son, my jolly task g.
not so tremendous most people think"
With a CHEEKY good night" the old
gentleman pulled the lever and his
Pegasus leaped into the air. And despite
the temperature of the night and the
length OF the discourse, | was not sensible
of the chill that lurked in the midnight
air; for Jack Frost cannot bite when good
st. Nicholas is nigh.
Copyright. 1911, by John Elfreth watkins.)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-24

1.-THE climate of Null is not as rigorous
as one would suppose far north. The
gulf stream tempers the winter and
makes it fine and bracing and ideal for
those who delight in the outdoor sports,
such as hunting The people are dignified
and reserved and to the casual visitor
they seem sullen and unsociable. But the
spirit of hospitality still survives even
among the poorest, and they offer to
share their bread with the wayfarer with
the dignity of a prince. At Christmas
time many gather in one house and
listen to the story tellers These are old
men and women who repeat weird tales
handed down from generation to genera
ton.
and these recitals deal generally with the
old days when clan met clan in daily
conflict, and then how the spirits of the
dead heroes return to rally their forces.
There are many old men who have been
professional story tellers from their
youth; that is, they have been invited
rom one town to another and from island
to island and get their lodgings and a
meal. with a pittance to pay their way
to the next station, for their assistance
In passing the long winter nights agree
ably. These have a stock Of uncanny
tales about heavenly music and enchanted
lands where the dreamer is transported
to get away for a time from the sorrow
and misery of this world, and they can
initiate sea sounds and the wind and the
murmuring trees In a manner quite dis
concerting to one not a born Highlander.
They chant long stanzas OF OSsian and
tell of the glories of Fingal and the saga
of King Haco
1T is rare. however that an outsider
is ever permitted to be present at one
OF these gatherings and nearly all the in
formation even the castle jewellers have
Isl hearsay and not experience Null is
the seat OF the premier Scotch du Re, his
grace OF Argyle. and by iS
the land OF Lorne. one Of the titles of
that old family. The present duchess a
daughter OF the late Queen Victoria is
better known 70 Americans by the title
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-24
EY JOHN ELFRETII WATKINS.

ATE last night. as
l trudged home
ward past the Cap
itcl. a vast shadow
: II Il d { n V fitted
across the gray
glare of the great
dome. and, soaring
above me like that
monStrous bird cf
prey, the terrible
roc of the Ara
bian Nights. swoop-
l;p,ly- IiUbfpd niay
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-24

the dining room, to the music Of the
PRESIDENTS March," to enjoy the feast
for which Vivart, the chef. had done him.
self proud. In the midst of the big table
was a gilt game-cock. surrounding a
great pyramid of snowballs, each made
of starch-coated cotton. And at the end
of the feast "Old Hickory distributed
these missiles among his little guests, tell
have grand SNOWFALL fight. And maybe
that grand old par1or was not a bedlam
during the following hour! Nor was it
a quiet spot while Vice President Van
games of blind mans buff ''puss in
corner and "forfeits," or while the
little girls tried to catch him under the
mistletoe bough that l had hung
was jolly party and 1 can see
those tots now. marching past the
President, each in turn throwing him a
kiss and bidding him a Good night, gen.
eral'
And I recall also one Christmas eve
when those same White House children
two little Jacksons and five little Donelsons
hung up their stockings in 'uncle's room,'
tied one of the Presidents socks to the
tongs by the fireplace, crying: Now, let's
see how Santa Claus will treat you. Mr..
Uncle Jackson, President of the United
States"
Il filled the Presidents sock along with
the others Santa Claus assured me,
with merry wink And that night
the Vice President gave me a miniature
cooking stove for little Mary DonelsOn,
10 whom l also delivered for the French
minister's wife. Nine Serurier, big boy
doll in the red jacket, gOld-striped trous-
ers. plumed chapeau, spurs and saber OF
French soldier.
But the most gorgeous Christmas
spectacle seen in the White House during
those early days was the fairy BALI given
by President Tyler to his little daugh-
ter Mary. who, as Titania. the fairy
queen, with her silver wand. gossamer
wings and a diamond star on her fore
head, held her court in the east room.
Another famous Yuletide party before
the war was that Of the noted Baron
BodiscO, the Russian minister, given
a few years later i'll honor of his two
nephews. His quaint mansion on 0 street
Georgetown, was illuminated that night
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-24

DR. many years
ga ST remarked
Lady tombstone "A
few days ago IN
the sunny drawing
room of Mrs. Pin
chot : home on
Rhode Island ave-
nue., my husband
and | have been
spending the holi-
day term at Christ
mas with friends
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-24

n AUGHTER of Mrs. James
IL w. Pinchot of This City
and New York-Lady John
stone Has lust Returned to
Holland After a Visit of Six
Weeks to Her Mothers Home
on Rhode Island Avenue-She
Possesses 2 Brilliant Mind
and Cordial Manners, and
Bears a Strong Resemblance
TO Her Brother, Clifford
Pinchot.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-24

Of st. George. Since her marriage Lady
tombstone has spent but little time in
England. except for brief visits to the
ancestral home Of Sir Allan tombstone at
Hackness Hall, near Scarborough. North
Riding, Yorkshire. Sir Allan is the third
son of Sir Harcourt Vanden Bompde
JOhnstone. Lord Derwent is a member OF
parliament for Scarborough, and the Sec
ond of his line to hold the title Baron
psrwent His ancestors We're baronets.