The Dolores star., 1922-04-14

early possible. They gather in crowds outside
the tall iron fence that encloses the White House
grounds, and when the gates are thrown open, ut
exactly nine m. they flock in pell-mell and dis
tribute themselves in gladstone squads over the
grass-covered hillocks. No time is lost the sport
beginning at once, and soon 1t is in fast and fur-
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
ocratic spirit reigns, the youngsters being of all
classes. The fashionable northwestern section of
the city Is largely represented, well as 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 cabinet mem
ber.
Some of the children make races with their
eggs starting them simultaneously from the top
Of hillock, with the understanding that the one
to reach the bottom first Is the winner If II is
for fair" the 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 second egg, If the thing
is properly done, and failure in this OBJ
ject gives rise to much merriment. Or again
two children may roll their eggs toward each 9TH
er on fiat piece of ground and when they have
met the one cracked Is lost.
picking eggs is a form of the sport necu1ior
to the boys, requiring as it does some degree of
expertness, while having about it the thrilling sug
gestion of gamble One boy holds an egg In bis
fist so rs to expose the smallest possible bit of the
point and this is attacked by the point of another
boys egg, n series of taps deciding which is tbe
harder of the two. First it is point to point then
butt to butt, and then finally "slders" the upsbot
OF the alalr being transfer of the cracked egg
10 the owner OF the one that remains unbrOken
Now and then along comes knowing youth with
wisdom beyond his years. and u guinea hens e,p
IS is
hens egg is a sure winner But it is green
EouhSster that does not know enough to be on
his guard against an egg that has speckles on If
even though it be artfully explained to him that it
was laid by Speckled hen Occasionally chin.
egg is similarly worked a ringer"
When the eggs are rolled down hill if is custo,n
ary for the owners to roll after them-a perform
ance somewhat calculated to injure clothes and in
cdentally liable to result in the smashing of tbe
eggs But this latter is matter of no great i'm
portance, inasmuch as a broken egg is something
10 De Immediately eaten, and the devouring of ii
Is a pleasant incident. Necessarily the eggs mr..
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 tho
greensward-a feast which, owing to the ioyful
circumstances, is vastly more appetizine than the
most elaborate banquet at home could be Eggs
as is proper furnish the piece de resistance usnoI
iy but there is milk in bottles for the very smai,
tots, FOR children of all ages are present and mony
ol them even come In baby carriages being not
yet old enough to walk. Outside the grounds are
many hucksters with goat wagons and donley
CARTS who have for sale plentiful supplies of can
dy' peanuts, pies, apples and oranges On the
whole, 1t is somewhat like circus
10 make things altogether joyful, the marina
Dahd' which Is the Presidents own troop of mus,
clans, usually plays for the benefit of the LITTLE
ones being stationed on platform near by.
Between . a. IN. and l p. H. no grown1ns ara
admitted unless accompanied by children. Siren
uous effort is necessary to prevent children from
hlrlhg out to adults who wish to see the snort but
are minus the necessary youngster Every veor
lads hire out to outsiders mt 20 cents eacb and
pass them through the gates