Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-21
fANrlY AND 1ScoTT HAYES
y AT AfNllCI DRESS BALL

for she was the head of a Christmas
club whose purpose was to supply pres
ents and Christmas dinners to thousands
of poor children. And so pleased was her
father, President Arthur, with this
Christmas spirit of hers that during one
holiday he let her dress up in her best
pale blue frock and have some of her
playmates stand with her in the receiv-
ing party at his big New Year reception.
Although this little girl was away most
of the time attending a French school
in new York. and although her brother
Alan was sent to college, both always re-
turned to the White House at Christmas.
and they sometimes brought schoolmates
with them.
During President Cleveland's first four
years in the Wtihe House there were
no little ones to make that mansion ring
with holiday merrment When he moved
in he was. like James Buchanan. an old
bachelor but before long he married a
pretty young lady. who, like Dolly Madi-
son, was q generous Christmas giver. AS
We shall later see. their Yuletides were
merrier and noisier after they returned to
the Presidents house for their second
stay.
1t was at the next election that Kris
Kringle. by helping to make him our
President compensated the aforemen-
toned Benjamin Harrison for the bitter
disappointment he suffered at being cheat
ed. by the Grim Reaper. out of his antici-
Dated w mite House CITlStIEdSts Will
grandfather. William Henry. Benjamin
Harrison himself was now an old man
and a grandfather. This second Grand
pa Harrison and Kris Kringle regularly
put their white heads together and ar
ranged some riprOarinS Christmases Tor
these Baby Mckee and his
little sister, Mary. whose great-grand-
father DR.. Scott in spite of his ninety
wears also Joined in these festivities, de-
flying Grandpa Harrison to feel Jot
Younger than he did. At one OF these
Harrison Christmases Santa Claus
brought little Mary Mckee. with other
things, a toy piano. dozen dolls and
full doll housekeeping outfit.
i.
One Of the prettiest Christmas incidents
in which a President ever figured oc-
CURED during this administration. one
dav while passing through Richmond,
Ind President Benjamin Harrison was
surprised in his car by tiny girl OF
four, who, when he took her upon his
knee, threw her arms about his neck,
kissed him impulsiyely and put new
penknife into his hand.
So when the next holiday time came
near the President sent letter and
beautiful doll to that same little Slrl.
Here is a copy of that letter Wmcn
she now doubtless a mother, must treas
ure and read at Christmas times to her
own little ones:
My Dear Little Friend:
when You came into my car at Rich
mond / did not see you until You stood
at my feet looking up to me so sweetly
that | did not know but a little fairy had
come in through the window. But when
I picked you up and you gave me kiss,
then l knew it was a real little girl Ihe
pretty knife you handed me L will keep
till you are a big girl. and when / go
back to Indiana to live you must come to
see me and | will show you that l have
not forgotten YOU The little doll which
you will find in the box with this letter
is for you, and 1 hope you will think it
pretty. If the doll could talk she would
tell you how much 1 love to be loved by
the little children.
"Affectionately yours.
-BENJAMIN HARRISON
When President Cleveland moved into
the White House for the second time he
brought with him little Ruth, and then.
two months before the next Christmas,
had come tiny Esther. So the Yuletide