The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-13

the city quay. We find this market
usurped by host of birds, from chickens
to merry little sOngsters OF varied
plumage. The petty merchants for the
greater part seem poor, and their Old
threadbare garments appear in contrast
with the slick, shiny plumage Of their
charges. Observe that old man with
trying hard tor several moments to win
over an obstinate customer, apparently
rich, who, though captivated by meek,
brown pigeon, is willing to pay only
three francs instead of four. When
words fail. the dealer places
his hand at the door OF the cage and the
''much-admired" percnes herself on her
keepers arm. The silent sloquence Of the
bird has prevailed. Here we see a poor old
woman thinly clad, sitting In the cold. be-
side her box OF canaries. She Is eating
a loaf of dry bread and now and then
sharing a bite with her companion at her
side, q half.starved poodle dog. AS the
day advances the crowds begin to gather,
and already the boulevard Sebastopol is
assuming a lively appearance; but it is
not until We have traversed its length and
reached the Boulevards. that grand high
way Of Paris. extending from the Place de
Ia RepuDliQue to that of Madelaine, that
we ind ourselves in the very midst OF all
the activity and stir characteristic Of the
uay. ne way IL llucu Ou OOtu siucS WIN
the little booths placed close one to an
other, and the displays consist chiefly
OF toys and little nicknacks. Many OF
these booths are occupied by little lot
teries where crOckery and oranges are the
inducements offered to all who wish to
pay a sou for a hazard at the roulette.
The Place de la Republique is taken up
Among the leisurely crowds of gaiiy at
tired people are many women and children
in company with husbands and fathers.
and it is q rare sight here To see SO many
young people on the streets. There is
plenty to divert the attention in all direc-
tons. The magnificent and costly dis
piays in the show windows attract many,
and the thousand and one different art-
Giles offered for sale along the way give a
varied diversity to this rare scene. Here
and there we find little crowds gathered
around some vendor. Now il is the adver-
tiser Of some new and ingeniously con-
structed toy, now some Juggier performing
sle.ght-oi-hand tricks to gain attention.
Here some street "gamin" has gathered a
little crowd by his eccentric maneuyers
There We meet those strange singers whom
we saw this morning in the dim garrett
They are surrounded by throng of cur
ious listeners, very ready to pay 2 SOUS for
a new version of panama" l dare say
they will have earned today more than
tuey ever nave DeIOFe.
Arranged in long line before the door
OF large cafe are some thirty miserable
wretches. receiving each a small ration of
bread, gwen by the benevolent proprietor.
As each ono approaches the distributor,
standing In the doorway with his heaping
basket. he dofis his shabby. weli-worn hat
as a receptacle for the precious gift. Not
a word is spoken, but the pitful glance
from sorrowful eyes and the half-drawn
10 3 ko faca zv.AaE ia
expressive than words. One poor old man
alter receiving his meager part still stands
motioniess, holding his hat before him
with dawn-cast eyes. The boy looks UP
sharply as if to say, That's all can give
YOU" Such a smile creeps over the
wrinkled face. halt hope, halt despair that
all who see can plainly read the words.
written there: II meant not to be rude,
sir. but am so hungry, and this little
piece is SO small" There is another who
has dropped IN the dirt at his feet tiny
morsel of bread, and he hastens 10 pick it
up. as even that will keep alive the spark
OF lie little longer.
In returning We pass by the grand mar
ket. There is animation without, as re-
markabie as that within. We are be-
sieged, as We pass, by the sole tations of a
host OF petty dealers who have made a
display Of their wares on the sidewa ak,
and even extending some little way into
the street. The is q babel Of voices as
each chants out the excellent quality of his
goods. Within, all the stands are laden
with their best displays, which Their
keepers, mostly women, have arranged in
the most tempting manner. The good
housewife has only TO step from stand to
stand 10 find all the deiicacies that her
most fastidious guest could desire. There
was no end to fine assortments of fowls,
fruits and vegetables, and the thousands
that frequented this mart was evidence
that they appreciated this fact.
When night has fallen and the ball, the
freside and the theaser have thinned the
hosts that tramp the streets. il We chance