Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-08
THE FIRST SNOW STORM.
How the Capital Awoke Enmanticd in Beau
tful Snow.

THE SMALL BOY DELIGHTED AND THE DEPART
MENr CLERK BELATED-EARLY MORNING SCENES
on THE STREET RAILROADS. BLOCKADE ON
THE AvENUE-INcrDENrs OF THE DAT.
1t was long time coming, but when it came
it was with a business-lke swirl and steadiness
that counted. The snow frs. began to fall
about a couple of hours after midnight, and
when the early risers pulled aside their curtains
and looked out upon the street they realized
with a shudder. from the wilderness Of the
streets, the trees the air and ALL that winter had
arrived beyond doubt. There was no mistaking
the style of the storm. The fakes we're of flaky
fiakiness that betokened u dry freeze and gave
little promise of an early thaw, such as usually
comes on the heels of the first snow of a Wash
ington season. Some of them (the fakes were
small. but most of them were larger than a
nickel piece. Some had even the size of dollars,
ana Heated down with difficulty.
CROWDED AND RELATED.
When breakfast time came the prevailing
question was about getting down town, which
promised to be adificult task. The cars we're
crowded very early and the herdics were soon
in bad way owing to the smooth shoes of the
horses. For some automatic reason the first
snow brought good nature with it and most Of
those who had their toes trod upon in the
crowded public conveyances forgot to grumble
IN their general admiration Of the pretty white
ness. The children and the coal dealers were
delighted. The former were out in force early,
making slides and snow balls and noise, while
the latter did rushing business.
Street car travelling was somewhat disap-
pointing 1t had a slow, nevcr-get-thereness
about it that chilled the heart along with the
feet. Stops were so frequent as to cause con-
slant consultation of watches. and the pros
pect of never getting to destinations was so
dampening in places as to nearly melt the
snow in spots.
AN EARLY BLOCKADE.
A rather ludicrous incident marked the
travel along the avenue early in the morning.
A 14th street car bound north. rather heavily
laden with people, became stalled on the turn
ut the southeast corner of the treasury. The
horses could not make the turn, and the driver
and the conductor were helpless. One by one
the cars began to accumulate in the rear, the
string growing longer as the min
ntes went by until it reached to
1917 street. There were twerty-One cars in
line when at last the horses Of the first were
induced to make one strong effort that carried
the car along over the sailed track and up the
hill. The procession broke up soon after this.
Meanwhile the patrons of the road living along
the upper avenue who had been waiting for
fully half an hour for that downtown $50 car
was an interval of nearly an hour in the east
bound traffic along the avenue.
AS is usual at the coming of the first snow of
the season there was an abundance of funny
things to be seen on the streets. The humOr
OF the situation came out strongly and made
some folks forget that such storm means I'M
told suffering among the poor.
HEAR TIE MERRY SLEIGH BELLS
Up to noon those who had sleighs took adj
nj bn INV for eli in oh Ia
and the merry tinkle of bells was heard on the
the neat and trim cutter to the boxed-body and
II dry-Soods box OH runners. There were a
few large double sleighs with two horses,
but the most attractive turnout
was that of Senator Stanford. 1t
was large double sleigh which could comforta-
bly, seat six persons. and was drawn By two
coal-black horses. each seventeen hands high.
On the sides of the coachnan's seat, and by the
heads OF the horses. were big purple plumes
which waved and nodded with every move
ment The sleigh was painted black and the
fur robes. with which it was abundantly lined.
were all black. As the equipage stopped in
front OF Brentano's large and admiring
crowd gathered to witness the unusual sight.
HELPING THE POOR AND NEEDY.
Poor people with Pitiful tales of destitution
and suffering come when the beautiful snow
appears, no matter how mild the preceding
weather has been, and today has been no excep-
ton to the rule. although the number of per-
sors who called today was small. Later on.
when the suffering increases, the police will
receive donations and distribute them to the
poor. Thus far this season several urgent
cases have been called to the attention of the
police, and the needy ones were assisted. The
fund now in Maj. MOore's hands is much
smaller than during previous years. and before
handing it over to applicants inquiry will be
made to ascertain whether the applicant is
really in need or not.