Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-17

| G curslons ana owner attractive pas
~ times, brings with it also its pscu-
liar drawbacks, some Of which are none the
less distasteful because mixed with sufficient
pleasure-or with what should at least be
pleasure-producing conditions-to impart a
suspicion of enjoyment. Fashions come and
| go-that is, some Of them do-like the clouds
Of an April day, every season giving mold to
something new and charming There was a
time when gum drops were as popular as cara
mels are now and the gum-drop girl as win
some as the fascinating summer idyI, or idol,
more strictly speaking, of today, when five-
cent glass OF soda was Unanswered for as
| adroitly as the well-illed bon bonniere Of the
| present era But there is one fashion the
otherwise relentless spirit Of change has not
stamped as its own, and that is ice cream eat
ing 1t came to stay and has stayed, is staying
and will stay.
CoMPREHENsIvENEss OF ICE CREAM.
But is ice cream eating a fashion? Is it not
rather well-defined principle, a land mark
destined to last forever? Is it not telameter
by which the American girl can read the posi-
tive qualities or negative conditions of her
young mans amplitude? She might of course,
ascertain his disposition aud capabilities by
testing him evenings on the subject of books,
art or even Washington real estate, but it is not
every girl who wants to spend entire even
ing Cthe young man spending nothing) in the
glare OF gas jets or even under the benign and
softening influences of a dim religious light
and absolutely throw away fine opportunities
on anything so solid as books, but every girl
does love ice cream. For this reason ice cream
has become as national in its way as base ball
and assumes the rightful rank and importance
OF a popular institution.
THE AssIDUITY OF THE ARTICLE.
Toan 10 - I..k
an exceedingly assiduous substance-if there
is any substance about it. There is often more
in 1t than promises to be from first impressions;
then, again, there may be less in it than ex-
pected Take young man. for instance, who
Is the proud possessOr of en- ordinary salary
and fairly liberal turn of mind. He pur-
chases two plates full of ice cream-one for his
best friend and the other for himself-which
certainly seems as much as any conservative
party of two could desire. But the little choco-
late mound over the way disappears as if an
invisible Hermann had dipped a magic spoon
in 1t and he then feels that peculiar and flush
ing sensation which indicates that the supply
Is expected to be replenished. The vague,
far-away-look with which he meets the gleeful
and irresistible glance of his companion is
melted into gracious and cordial smile. APP
parenty he feels glad he is there, but mentally
Is consumed by sneaking suspicion that trou-
bic Is brewing. He argues nervously to him
self Cwhle she is carelessly naming over the
various assortment of cakes on the list that
although man could and might go a long
time without buying single plateful for him
self, two platefuls to expert is not more
satisfying than one, in fact creates a temporary
and dangerously increasing appetite without
the necessary solidity to appease it, Thus he
Is confronted with the paral living conclusion
that bankruptcy and ruin are staring him in
the face Individually and that the whole
country, except the ice cream dealers, is going
to the dogs generally.
HOW TASTES DIFFER.
Tastes differ with ladies about ice cream, as
much SO as about capote or decollete costume.
Some will quietly buy whole pint at a time,
and lounging in some cool nook or corner
leisurely proceed to surround it. These how
ever, cannot alone keep the wheels of the trade
revolving. 1t is in variance with this idea that
the summer girl secures vantage and comes
to the fore as an important part of the sea-
sons social system. Without her ice cream
dealers would positively suffer and the merry
hum of the patent dOuble-duplex freezers
cease forever. She is the leading spirit SO to
speak, of each of the countless couples that
come out with the moon pleasant summer
evenings and drift with accidental certainty
into neighboring confectioneries to while hours
and ice cream away.
PLAYING IN BAD LUCK.
Love may laugh at locksmiths, but when
not ghost of show for merriment. Take
the very well-wishing but impecunious young
man. for example, who clerks in a store and
bangs his hair, the magnitude of whose earn
ings do not haunt him with undue sleeplessness
at night. He invites his girl to take ice cream
as they go on their funuel-shaped stroll that
leads ever INTO the neck OF Il confe ctioncry
She has told him ever many times how fond
OF that article she Is. and how good it is for
palpltating heart, and how often 1t has saved
her from absolute want He proposed beers
once and once only for on the way back he
got caught Ill the ice cream net in addition.
Thankfully declining beer or water ices or
both with genuine summer girl is as rare as
rainbow at night.
1t is great fun to see the unlucky young man
winking and blinking at the waiter or casting
side movements of the hand at the proprietor
with a view of indicating to those individuals
that the small ten-cent saucers are the ones he
stands in need of. If he happens to get pull
verified financially he is sad-looking youth
when he takes his check to the proprietor and
privately ''arranges' the matter satisfactorl
for the present.
DIPLOMATIC TACTICS.
That may be the last of that young man for
the night or a week to come, but if the girl is
one of the business sort it is not the last of her
half an hour appear in the very same ice
cream museum with another young fellow
one half of whose mind il burning with delight
and the other half consumed with doubts and
anxiety. Even if she should return the third
time with the third young man the proprietor
Is not in the least perturbed surprised II
he catches her eye at all it Is only to meet
recognition OF mutual diplomacy, for he is
wise i'll his day and generation in setting out
10-cent saucers. Vide-l5-cent saucers for
two. 80 cents; cake for two. 20 cents; total, so
cents. Contra-10-cent saucers for two three
times, Go cents; cake for two three times, 60
cents; total, S1.20
UNCOMFORTABLE REFLECTIONS
But just how the fair and apparently tickle
one manages that delicate performance of
shaking the first young man and then his sue
cessor without giving offense or discounting
chances for similar attentions in the future is
something no fellow can find out: the Young
man himself Is blank to the application of the
art 1t simply dawns upon HIM after the ice
cream has disappeared that some frosty treat
ment has been bestowed by somebody upon
some one in some way-it is all q dismal mys-
terry.
A TEST OF DISPOSITION.
IL young man has any squeamishness or
niggardiy composition in his system the ice
cream crucible will draw it to tho sdrface quick
enough. Ii, on the other hand he has an over
weenlng fondness for ice cream, cakes and con-
Iections Tor their own sake and IL not afraid to
llDerate his spondulix for his girls sake there
can be no necessity in the world for his carry
ing headed walking stick. turning up his
trousers at the bottom or banging his hair like
an angIo-maniac to win influence and esteem.