Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-09

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King md Queen of the Rag Pickcrs.
Paris workingman's progeny is apt to be-
but holding themselves well in the neat
oark blue uniform which has been pro-
Vided for them. Sons of ragpickers are eli
Eible with the rest, and they toot the ele-
nentary airs appreciated by their audience
with great good WILL Next. on foot in the
full dress Of such occasions-tall shining
SILK hat, and closely buttoned frock coat
with the scarf of office across the breast
marches gravely the mayor of Saint Ouen
followed by members of the city council.
They are politically wise in their genera
ton to throw in their lot with the working
men, to whom the future of France be-
longs.
Enter the King and Queen.
Then comes the chief show for which all
necks are craned, while fathers hold I'D the
children that they may see what no one
ever saw before. In their own donkey cart
sit the couple that have been chosen by
vote king and queen of the ragpickers The
man drives his steed with a simple dignity
He is gray-haired and bearded, and has
put on a black hat and coat over which he
wears the tricolor ribbon of the republic
His wife is a comfortable-looking body.
rather Shamefaced at being the center of
SO many eyes. She has put in bonnet.
rescued perhaps from the cast-off attire of
some Partisan DAME three monster roses
Where the sacks of paper usually rest I'm
the cart are huddled the children of the
worthy pair Every one cheers the mayor,
but the enthusiasm knows no bounds as the
king and queen pass. The good woman
bows-Queen Victoria could not do better.
Three other carts follow, each with its
poor attempts at decoration. One is really
artistic. The spokes of the wheels are en-
tW1ned with the ferns that grow in these
fields, and great red and blue asters are
placed at the hub and around the rim. The
donkey has been adorned with green leaves
and gay ribbons. The weather-beaten wo-
man riding in the cart laughs Historically.
with wide-open jaws, perhaps to hide her
mingled pride and confusion.
The Raspfckers' Market.
When the procession has passed we turn
cur attention to the curious market held
every Sunday along the curb of the ave-
nue., just opposite the ragpickers' CITY. 1t
Is made up of all and sundry objects res
cued from sacks and CARTS SO far as they
can be made presentable for the wants Of
the poorest of the poor. The objects in
the most miscellaneous promiscuousness
are deposited fiat on the pave: but even
here the innate sense of proportion, which
makes the French pork butcher arrange
his show window like an impressiorist
painting, marifests itself.
The sellers. resting in this old world way
from their nights fatigue. sit along the
curbstone waiting for some Of the passers-
woman with gray handkerchief
twisted around her hair, with gray cot
ton dress showing her wooden shoes, sits
with patient philosophy. The man who
sits next is even fat and pursc-lipped in
the ill., nature with which he watches the
artist. On the ground are pairs of shoes
of all sizes, rescued from the refuse tubs.
where even the servants had thrown them,
but good enough for feet that might else
go bare.
Some of It's Treasures.
There are odd pieces of glassware, n
whole henging lamp, which will almost
turn some workingman's room into a fes-
tive hall; odd knives and forks; always
and everywhere that peculiarly Partisan
article, corsets, with bits of tawdry and
faded frippery. There are shirts which
these people can still wear; stockings that
admit of further darning; petticoats which
may have already descended from older TO
younger sisters. These articles have all
been folded and arranged, but, it IS to be
feared. neither washed nor disinfectad-
though the health of Paris tells fayorably
for the cleanliness of its poor.
Two little boys-for the whole pace is
swarming with Embarrassment TO pose.
They are neatly tended for the Sundays
race. Over and over one makes the remark
that the French working population is full
of good qualities. which is a comfort for
the future when they are likely to null
tipiy themselves into the majority of the
French people. Before we leave the mar
ket, which is allowed TO extend itself to
one side of the road some fifty feet, and
not an inch further, We notice cast-off en-
cravings. with broken frames. and even
faded paintings, which some workman will
buy to give him the illusion Of fine art in
his dwelling.
At the End of the Day.
We catch up with the procession over by
the mayors Office. where proper speeches
are made to the ragpickers-the heroes of
the occasion. 1t is at the marie that they
are married. and have the births of their
children declared. and their own deaths re-
corded. The socialist mayor assures them
that the good time for all who labor is
coming. and the merchant who stands the
expense of the feast does not contradict.
beginning of 1t Is over In the tents,
where dinner is shortly to be served. We
are proudly shown the tables spread with
shining white tablecloths, with a damask
napkin for each of the guests. from the
queen, who sits by the mayor. down.
We note that each guesthas three glass
es-a large one for the claret. which is the
Paris workingman's universal beverage; a
smaller one for the dessert wine and
L. - "a.