Letters to His Children | Page 9

tree of his own which he had
rigged up with the help of one of the carpenters in a big closet; and we
all had to look at the tree and each of us got a present off of it. There
was also one present each for Jack the dog, Tom Quartz the kitten, and
Algonquin the pony, whom Archie would no more think of neglecting
than I would neglect his brothers and sisters. Then all the children came
into our bed and there they opened their stockings. Afterwards we got
dressed and took breakfast, and then all went into the library, where
each child had a table set for his bigger presents. Quentin had a
perfectly delightful electric railroad, which had been rigged up for him
by one of his friends, the White House electrician, who has been very
good to all the children. Then Ted and I, with General Wood and Mr.
Bob Ferguson, who was a lieutenant in my regiment, went for a three
hours' ride; and all of us, including all the children, took lunch at the
house with the children's aunt, Mrs. Captain Cowles--Archie and
Quentin having their lunch at a little table with their cousin Sheffield.

Late in the afternoon I played at single stick with General Wood and
Mr. Ferguson. I am going to get your father to come on and try it soon.
We have to try to hit as light as possible, but sometimes we hit hard,
and to-day I have a bump over one eye and a swollen wrist. Then all
our family and kinsfolk and Senator and Mrs. Lodge's family and
kinsfolk had our Christmas dinner at the White House, and afterwards
danced in the East Room, closing up with the Virginia Reel.

TOM QUARTZ AND JACK
White House, Jan. 6, 1903.
DEAR KERMIT:
We felt very melancholy after you and Ted left and the house seemed
empty and lonely. But it was the greatest possible comfort to feel that
you both really have enjoyed school and are both doing well there.
Tom Quartz is certainly the cunningest kitten I have ever seen. He is
always playing pranks on Jack and I get very nervous lest Jack should
grow too irritated. The other evening they were both in the library--
Jack sleeping before the fire--Tom Quartz scampering about, an
exceedingly playful little wild creature--which is about what he is. He
would race across the floor, then jump upon the curtain or play with the
tassel. Suddenly he spied Jack and galloped up to him. Jack, looking
exceedingly sullen and shame-faced, jumped out of the way and got
upon the sofa, where Tom Quartz instantly jumped upon him again.
Jack suddenly shifted to the other sofa, where Tom Quartz again went
after him. Then Jack started for the door, while Tom made a rapid turn
under the sofa and around the table, and just as Jack reached the door
leaped on his hind-quarters. Jack bounded forward and away and the
two went tandem out of the room--Jack not reappearing at all; and after
about five minutes Tom Quartz stalked solemnly back.
Another evening the next Speaker of the House, Mr. Cannon, an
exceedingly solemn, elderly gentleman with chin whiskers, who

certainly does not look to be of playful nature, came to call upon me.
He is a great friend of mine, and we sat talking over what our policies
for the session should be until about eleven o'clock; and when he went
away I accompanied him to the head of the stairs. He had gone about
half-way down when Tom Quartz strolled by, his tail erect and very
fluffy. He spied Mr. Cannon going down the stairs, jumped to the
conclusion that he was a playmate escaping, and raced after him,
suddenly grasping him by the leg the way he does Archie and Quentin
when they play hide and seek with him; then loosening his hold he tore
down-stairs ahead of Mr. Cannon, who eyed him with iron calm and
not one particle of surprise.
Ethel has reluctantly gone back to boarding-school. It is just after lunch
and Dulany is cutting my hair while I dictate this to Mr. Loeb. I left
Mother lying on the sofa and reading aloud to Quentin, who as usual
has hung himself over the back of the sofa in what I should personally
regard as an exceedingly uncomfortable attitude to listen to literature.
Archie we shall not see until this evening, when he will suddenly
challenge me either to a race or a bear play, and if neither invitation is
accepted will then propose that I tell a pig story or else read aloud from
the Norse folk tales.

A FAR WESTERN TRIP
In April, 1903, President Roosevelt made a trip to the Pacific