eir own battles
in the world at large. He does not believe in pampering children, but
in making them self-reliant. All love to go out with him, and when at
Oyster Bay he frequently takes the boys and their cousins for a day's
tramp through the woods or along the beach, or else for a good hard row
on the bay. The President prefers rowing to sailing, and frequently rows
for several miles at a stretch. His enjoyment of bathing is as great as
ever, and his boys love to go into the water with him.

Christmas time at the White House is just as full of joy there as it is
anywhere. The younger children hang up their stockings, and scream with
delight over every new toy received. For some days previous to Christmas
one of the rooms is turned into a storeroom, and to this only Mrs.
Roosevelt and one of the maids hold the key. Presents come in from
everywhere, including many for the President, for his friends far and
near insist upon remembering him. These presents are arranged on a large
oval table near one of the broad windows, and on Christmas morning the
distribution begins.

The President, in his trips to the woods, has seen the great harm done
by cutting down promising evergreens, so he does not believe very much
in having a Christmas tree. But a year ago a great surprise awaited him.

"I'm going to fix up a tree," said little Archie, and managed to smuggle
a small evergreen into the house and place it in a large closet that was
not being used. Here he and his younger brother Quentin worked for
several days in arranging the tree just to suit them. On Christmas
morning, after the presents were given out, both asked their father to
come to where the closet was located.

"What is up now?" asked Mr. Roosevelt, curiously.

"Come and see!" they shouted. And he went, followed by all the others of
the family. Then the closet door was thrown open, and there stood the
tree, blazing with lights. It was certainly a great surprise, and Mr.
Roosevelt enjoyed it as much as anybody.

The children of Washington, and especially those whose fathers occupy
public positions, always look forward with anticipations of great
pleasure to the children's parties given by Mrs. Roosevelt, and these
parties are of equal interest to those living at the mansion.

[Illustration: PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT AND HIS FAMILY.

(_Photograph by Pach Bros., N.Y._)]

Such a party was given during the last holidays, and was attended by
several hundred children, al