The Red Cloud chief., 1922-04-13

early as possible. They gather in crowds outside
the tall iron fence that encloses the White House
grounds, and when the gates are thrown open, at
exactly nine n. m, they flock in pel-mell and dis
tribute themselves in gladstone squads over the
grasscovered hillocks. No time Is lost, the sport
beginning at once and soon 1t Is In fast and furi-
Gus progress, the greensward speckled with eggs
Of rainbow hues, and the echoes of merry childish
voices gladdening the spring time air.
All the children wear their best clothes, which
are destined to be sadly mussed and more less
torn before the day Is over, yet thoroughly dem
ocratc spirit reigns, the youngsters being of all
classes. The fashionable northwestern section Of
the city Is largely represented, well the COM
monalty, and there is not even any distinction Of
color, the small black urchin Joining In the play
with the aristocratic offspring Of a cabinet men,
ber
Some Of the children make races with their
eggs, starting them simultaneously from the top
Of q hillock, with the understanding that the one
to reach the bottom first is the winner If II is
'for fair" the egg Of the loser passes into the pos
session Of the successful contestant. Another way
is to roll an egg down hill to be received at the
bottom on the point Of a second egg, II the thing
is properly done, and failure In this OBJ
ject gives rise to much merrlment. Or, again,
two children may roll their eggs toward each 9th.
er on a fiat piece Of ground. and when they have
met the one cracked Is lost.
'Pickng eggs Is a form Of the sport peculiar
to the boys, requiring as 1t does some degree of
experness, while having about 1t the thrilling sug.
gestiOn Of gamble. One boy holds an egg In his
fist as to expose the smallest possible bit of the
point and this is attacked by the point Of another
boys egg, a series Of taps deciding which is the
harder Of the two. First 1t Is point to point then
butt to butt and then finally "siders," the upshot
of the affair being q transfer Of the cracked egg
to the owner of the one that remains unbroken
Now and then along comes knowing youth with
wisdom beyond his years, and guinea hens egg,
which, inasmuch as 1t Is much harder than any
hens egg, Is a sure winner But II Is a green
youngster that does not know enough to be on
his guard against an egg that has speckles on It.
though 1t be artfully explained to him that II
was laid by a speckled hen. Occasionally china
egg is similarly worked as a "rlnger."
When the eggs are rolled down HILL It is custom.
ary for the owners to roll after them-a perform
ance somewhat calculated to injure clothes and In.
cidentally liable to result In the smashing of the
eggs. But this latter Is a matter of no great I'm.
portance. inasmuch broken egg Is something
to be Immediately eaten, and the devouring of II
Is pleasant incident Necessarily the eggs are
all hard boiled, and, therefore in condition for Off
hand consumption.
At twelve o'clock 1t is time for lunch, and then
mamma or nurse spreads delightful meal on the
greensward-a feast, which, owing to the joyful
circumstances is vastly more appetlzing than the
most elaborate banquet at home could be- Eggs
as is proper, furnish the piece de resistance usunl
y. but there is milk in bottles for the very small
tots for children Of all ages present and many
Of them even come In baby carriages, being not
yet old enough to walk. Outside the grounds are
many hucksters with goat wagons and donkey
carts, who have for sale plentiful supplies of can.
dy, peanuts, pies, apples and oranges. On the
whole. It is somewhat like circus
To make things altogether joyful. the marine
band, which Is the Presidents own troop of must.
clans, usually plays for the benefit Of the little
ones. being stationed on platform near by.
Between q. m. and p. m. no grown-ups are
admitted unless accompanied by children. Stren-
uous effort is necessary to prevent children from
hiring out to adults who wish to see the sport but
are minus the necessary youngster. Every year
lads hire out to outsiders at % cents each and
pass them through the gates.