Evening star., 1922-12-25
Joyous CHRISTMAS
AT WHITE HOUSE
President and Wife Thankful
for Many Gifts From
Various Sources.
MRS. HARDING BETTER
First Lady Joins Executive in Quiet
Enjoyment of Holiday
at Home.
MRS. HARDING BETTER

Christmas day probably dawned to-
day upon no more happier home in
Washington than the White House.
The spirit of the day was made still
happier and more joyous by the fact
that Mrs. Harding has SO far i'm
proved in her health that she was
physically able to personally direct
the arrangements of the Yuletide de-
corations about the rooms on the
upper. floor of the old mansion and
also the fact that she is going to the
dining room tonight for dinner for
the first time since she became i'll
more than three months ago.
The hundreds of messages bearing
CHEEKY and kindly greetings and the
innumerabie gifts received by the
President and Mrs. Harding added
much toward making their Christmas
day a most satisfying and happy one.
Presfdent Rises Early.
The executive arose early - far
earlier than is his daily custom. 1t
was barely light this morning when
he hurried into the room of his wife
and extended to her a merry greeting
and personally handed her his Christ
mas gift, and in return received one
himself. A little later the couple
went to Mrs. Harding's sitting room.
which was attractively decorated
with holly and other Christmas
greens and flowers, where they expert
enced almost childish pleasure in OPEN
ing the many gifts banked high on
large table in the room. For more than
an hour they were thus engaged when
they were interrupted by the serving of
breakfast in that bright. cheerful
Mr. and Mrs. Harding had spent
many such Christmas mornings to-
gether long before either ever
dreamed that they would be sharing
the ioys of the day within the walls
of the White House. 1t was one of
their typical Christmas days. quiet.
simple and joyful. 1t is believed
doubtful. though, if the day ever
found either more fully conscious of
the genuine spirit of Christmas and
of the joy of living than on this par
ticular occasion.
The executive was joyous and light
hearted not only because it was
Christmas. but principally because
toward recovery that the shadow
which has hung about the White
House SO long had lifted. Mrs. Hard
ing in return was happy in the knowl-
edge that she was again becoming
well and strong and that the time is
now not far distant when she can
resume regularly her place beside her
distinguished husband.
Gifts to Attaches.
She was buoyant in spirit and her
greetings to the various attaches and
servants about the big house were in
deed merry and inspiring.
Almost Immediately after breakfast
had been concluded the President and
Mrs. Harding presented to each of
the score or more attaches and
wrapped little boxes containing
within a glistening five-dollar gold
piece, as a token in remembrance of
the day.
Later in the day the thirty-three
officers and men of the White House
police force were presented with sim
liar presents. and the fifteen or more
messengers and clerks of the White
House will receive their presents to-
morrow.
The President did not go near his
desk in the executive office. and at
the command Of Mrs. Harding. he
was not permitted to touch the OFF,
office Saturday to his library desk,
and later in the morning upon her
urging, he went to country club to
enjoy the open for several hours.
The Christmas dinner at the White
House which is to be served at Z
o'clock tonight will be a quiet and
informal affair. There probably will
be two or three invited guests. A
forty-pound turkey will feature the
attractive menu arranged for the
holiday feast.
The President yesterday for the
first time since Mrs. Harding's illness
attended church. He went to the CAL
vary Baptist Church with Speaker and
Mrs. Gillett in the morning, occupying
their customary new