Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-21

east room and enjoy SNOWFALL fight
And that grand old parlor was a bedlam
during the following hour. Nor was 1t
n quiet spot while Vice President Van
Buren,, that same day. Joined the youth
full 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 bough that hung
from the big chandelier At the end
of that jolly Christmas party the little
guests marched past the President, each
in turn throwing him a kiss and bidding
him Good night, general.
1t was upon a Christmas eve during
the. same administration that two little
Jacksons and five little Donaldsons hung
UP their stockings in ''Uncle's room"
where a scamp of boy in high glee
tied one of the Presidents socks to the
tongs by the fireplace. crying, Nov, let's
see how Santa Claus will treat you, Mr..
Uncle Jackson, President of the United
States,'
That night the Vice President left at the
White House a miniature cooking stove
French minister's wife, Nine. Serurier.
sent big boy doll in the red jacket.
gold-striped trousers. plumed chapeau,
spurs and saber of French soldier.
Il <
Although Martin Van Buren, had thus,
when Vice President, so heartily partici-
pdlcu III the NuElStiildS IfOilCS vi lfiC
Jackson household he could not give old
kriss kringle much of a chance for fun
in the White House during the following
years, when he was President. because
his children were all grown and dignlfled
when he moved in, while no grandchil-
dren arrived in his family until after he
moved out.
But it was during his stay in the White
House that the young people of that
mansion and their scores of happy friends
49, owe
famous Christmas parties. 1t was given
by the noted Baron Bodisco. the Russian
minister in honor of his two nepheWs
His quaint mansion on o street, George
town, was illuminated that night not only
by lights within, but by great bonfires
outside, which, according to the Russian
custom, were lighted for the comfort of
the cOachmen.
The baron had arranged perfect fairy
land inside his house. From the bal
comics were hung gay curtains, studded
with little dazzling mirrors and inciosins
mysterious spaces, one of which con-
tanned 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 Santa Claus, in full view of the
laughing multitude, gave away with his
own hands. After a round OF jolly games
the floor was cleared for dancing, and
finally a delicious collation. was served
in the dining room.
This party proved to be another Gin
dereIa ball, and the real Cinderella. who
CHANGED to be his star guest. was Harriet
Williams, pretty Georgetown schoolgirl,
only sixteen years old, who. upon the
eve of the festivities, had, like Cinderella,
pinned at home because the good baron
had invited all of her playmates and had
ignored her.
Perhaps it was Santa Claus. who, In
little Harriets interest, acted the part of
the good fairy on that unhappy evening
Perhaps he peeked into her window and
seeing that she was sad, sensed the rea-
son. At any rate, some kind soul took
the matter up with the baron. Distressed
beyond measure 10 find that. through an
oversight. his intended invitation had
not reached Harriet, he Immediately