Evening star., 1937-12-25
WHITE HOUSE USED
TO YULE PARTIES.
John Adams Gave First.
Jefferson FiddIed for
His Guests.

his GUESTS.
1T takes . heap O. livin' to make
. house a home" and that applies
to the White House. too.
If the walls of this histxic mansion
could speak, they would have many
happy tales to tell Of gay Christmas
parties that have sraced them in the
nearly l40 years that have elapsed
since the White House first was occu-
pied by the counrty's second Chief
Executive, John Adams.
Its halls resounded with the laughter
Of children as the widowed jefferson
threw presidential dignity aside and
played the violin for his young guests.
What thrills its vast rooms con-
tanned for the hundreds OF orphans Of
the Nations Capital, who, on the invi-
tation Of the aged Andrew Jackson,
were brought into the White House at
Christmas to hear the President him.
self tell them wild tales Of Indian
wars
Crisis At Children's Party.
1t was President Adams who gave
the first children's party at Christmas
IN honor OF his 4-year-old grand
daughter, Savannah. The White House
IN those days was unfinished and the
great barnlike rooms were only scant-
lily furnished. Mrs. Adams, 1t is said
used to hang out the wash in the
great East Room.
Suzannah's party. however, was not
without its complications. One of the
little girls broke one of Suzannah's
new doll dishes and Savannah got
even by biting of the nose Of the little
girls new wax doll. President Adams
had to resort to diplomacy.
Jef1erson's six grandchildren, who
were his pride and JOY. were among
the guests at the Christmas party
which the President gave in 1905 for
nearly 100 persons. His hostess was
Dolly Madison. wife of his Secretary
OF State, who also served as hostess at
13 other Christmas dinners at the
White House during the four terms Of
Jefferson and of her own husband,
James Madison.
British in Possession Once.
Mrs. Madison missed only two
Chrlstmases in the White House in all
this time. Once. Jefferson spent the
holiday season at his home in Month
cello. The other time, the Madisons
had to flee from the White House
when the British were invading the
Capital in the War OF 1912.
History tells us that the orphan
party which Jackson gave apparently
was inspired by Johnny Donelson, the
Presidents nephew. who, with his five
brothers and sisters, came to the
White House in December, 1885. john
ny was little worried as to what
Santa was bringing him and asked his
distinguished uncle, Did you ever hear
OF Christmas when Santa Claus
tailed to come, Uncle Andrew"
Yes replied Jackson. "Once there
was little boy who never heard of
Santa Claus and who never had a toy.
When his mother died. he was all
alone in the world. was that boy"
But Santa came to the White House
that night as he has come ever since,
And In addition to the many gifts.
which the children found in and
around their stockings, Santa left in
the Presidents own heavy sock
corncob pipe and some warm CARPET
slippers.
Differing Remembrance.
Old as he was, Jackson is said to
nave Joined in the children's SNOW
ball fight at the party. In this,
starched cotton balls were used in
stead OF the real snow. When the
President retired to the sidelines. Vice
President Martin Van Buren took his |
place in the children's games. That
night, when the party was over, the |
President stood at the White House
door watching the young guests scatter
across the moonlit lawn. /
They remind me of the fairies in
midsummer Nights Dream" some
one remarked. |
Fut to jackson, who had become |
deeply religious, and who had read
the Bible nightly since his wife's death,
they had different significance
They remind me of the one who
came to the knees Of Jesus, and of |
whom he said, Suffer little children
to come unto me, and forbid them
not for of such is the kingdom of !
Heaven" the old soldier answered.
tCopyright. 1887. BY the North American
Newspaper Alliance Incl