Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-07
Hhde House Gifts

THE presents from personal friends ere
often very individual. When President and
Mrs. Hoover were starting for California last
November an old gentleman who had long
known the family went to the station in
Washington to bid them Godspeed and to
bring them an offering-ro, twol In a large
milk can of water two large bass were SWIM
ming. He himself had caught them that very
morning: he wished to be sure that his friends
would not lack fish on the trip
One Of the bass was remarkably agile speci-
men, for when the old gentleman, opened the
can to display the evidence of his thoughtful
ness this fish leaped out OF it's prison and aid
under the wheels Of the railway coach. A
porter recaptured the runaway and It was
quickly restored to the can Of water, none the
worse for its adventure.
AL are beautiful examples of domestic arts
and crafts. The spread is entirely hand done,
having been made on spinning wheels and
looms which were in use long before the day
OF machinery. The quilt likewise is hand done,
as are the rugs. These gifts came from the
Evanseline country OF Louisiana. They were
brought to Washington by q group of young
girls frcm that region dressed in the picturesque
costumes worn in years gone by.
BOOKS and pictures form large portion Of
the presents, as can readily be assumed
Some of them are charming gifts. But many
can be suspected Of being from aspiring
geniuses who have not yet arrived, but who
hope to do so by means Of this indirect adj
VertiSing. ep
The question OF what to do with all Of the
live stock sent to the President and his family
Is sometimes q problem. Always more dogs
are shipped to the White House than can pos
Slbly be accommodated, to say nothing of other
animals. If only the donors Of the proposed
White House CANNES would first write, to in
quire Il their dogs will have absolute welcome
but mostly they don't. - .4
little girl in Chicago possessed two pups to
which she was devoted. But their yard was
small, and, much to her distress, her mother
announced one day that one of the dogs would
have to go. It was an acute worry to the child
until she conceived the happy thought Of send
ing one Of her loved pets to Mrs, Hoover No
sooner said than done. The extra dog which,
incidentally, must have descended from mixed
parentage, was shipped from Chicago to STAN
ford University. c. o. D., ito Mrs. Herbert
Hoover-the expreSsage was almost $17-with
letter from the sender which explained Ia.
she was sure Mrs Hoover would be glad<%@S
take care Of her pet Suppose all the unwanted
dogs in the country were thus disposed Of!
Now, it IS understood that word has gone
forth from the White House staff that no more
pets can be received. The quarters assigned for
such uses are full. The kennels are crowded
with the dogs already sent in, and the stables
have been dispensed with, since the new Pres
tdent does not ride
Gifts for the White House. Still they come
One scarcely picks up q daily paper without
seeing mention Of something some one has sent
from somewhere Many are prompted by SIN
cere desire to do honor to the first family Of
the land, many by personal warmth of feeling
for the Hoovers. q few because the donors
think it polite no doubt.
But, while the occupants of the White
House must greatly appreciate the thought be-
hind the deed, none the less they probably
harbor the secret wish that people would not
be quite so generously inclined. to quite such o
wide extent, in regard to the President of the
United States and the Presidents family.