May 27 '45
Went out to the Burning Tree Club last night for dinner-the first time I've been away from the White House, since we moved in, for a meal. Had a grand time. Listened to several very boresome speeches-made me think I was back in the Senate. The longest and most tiresome one was made by one of the oldest members paying tribute to a number of passed and gone members of the Senate & the House.
They asked me to say a few words-and I said a few. After the above mentioned talk by the "Old Grad" they asked me to play the piano-which I did. Paderewski's Minuet, the theme from Mozart's IX Sonata, Black Hawk Waltz and wound up by playing "Home Sweet Home" to the voices of three very able singers. They gave me a prize, as was to be expected. I was surprised and really did appreciate it-a marked deck and some loaded dice. I'd never had copies of either one so I was glad to have 'em. Will never use either I hope.
Went upstairs and found that Steve Early, Scott Lucas and Jack Nichols had arranged a poker game. They expect me to get into it. To be fair I announced that I'd leave at midnight because I didn't want stay out after 1 A.M. and it would be that time when I "hit the hay."
For some reason I was lucky enough not to lose any money. Luck always seems to be with me in games of chance and in politics. No one was ever luckier than I've been since becoming the Chief Executive and Commander in Chief. Things have gone so well that I can't understand it-except to attribute it to God. He guides me I think. My press conferences have been a grand success I think because I tell the truth and tell it simply. I feel that way. Politicians-professional ones, not public servants are always looking for a bug under the chip and so are reporters. It is a case of the "moat and the beam."
In the picture "Mr. Smith goes to Washington" it was perfectly all right to show Senators as either silly or as crooks but when the show put on a drunken newspaper reporter in his true character, it killed the picture.
My daughter and her two pals, Jane Lingo and Mrs. Wright-both lovely kids are sleeping in Lincoln's bed tonight. If I were not afraid it would scare them too badly I'd have Lincoln appear. The maids and butlers swear he has appeared on several occasions. It is said that even Mrs. Coolidge saw him.
We had a picture show tonight. Janet McDonald in Springtime. Everybody including me cried a little-so all enjoyed the show.