The times., 1899-03-13
A FIRST Taste OF
BALMY SPRINGIlME
Sunday Promenaders in Pos
session of the Avenue.
Old Winter in Full Retreat Before
March Weather.
\ Temptation 4" Display Easter
Honncts and Gowns-Outdoor
scenes In the Capital.

1t was spring for day, with the cold
slowed away and the shining bright.
yester morn. and the sweet summer maid
made her first promenade with her bonnets
and fashions newborn. Though the wind
blew gale. not woman dared fail to ap-
pear in her best winter gown. and the gay.
mashful youth, with his neckwear uncOuth,
illumined the streets of the town.
Twas grand promenade and the coiors
displayed would have made even Solomon
stare, and the wind grinned with pride,
while the sun lodged aside to avoid the
full strength of the glare. So the youth
and the maid and the mater, arrayed as
beftted the advent of spring, came TO see
and be seen in their glitter and sheen, and
the birds were too startled to sing.
There were bOnnets and tOques, there
were capelets and cloakS. there were flow
ers artificial and real. there were silks by
the bale from bright red to light paie.
there we're tppets OF marten and seal.
There were crepons and suits; there were
slippers and boots, taffeta, muslin. and
pique: there were satin and plaid in colors
gone mad and in shades that were able to
Shrek
1t was great yesterday on the Avenue
gay: il was Easter three weeks fore
date. while the few unprepared for the
day simply stared and envied b-c9uSe they
were late. But the great dressed-up
throng simply wandered along and cha tel
and laughed more or less. Thsy discussed
and admired and envied till tired, but the
talk was entirely on dress.
That bOnnets sight, and ttat ha. is
a fright. Did you ever see such loud
gown? That's a made-over waist; my,
but she shows bad taste. That's the
homeliest girl in the town" Ard the men
eyed the girls and the girls primped their
curls. and young couples were out in their
best. So it lasted all day till the sun
moved away and the crowds returned home
for rest.
So the ice man was glad, and the coal
man was mad and the railroads put on
open cars it was spring for a day, tho
its not here TO stay, and old winter may
let down the bars.
Yesterday was the first real day of spring
to arrive here and the citizcnry of Wash
ington made the most of il. Though
March wind tore through the city it was
a balmy southerly wind and only served to
make the warmth of the day agreeable.
So IL came that the first promenade Of
spring. which is usually postponed until
Easter. occurred yesterday. and all day
lcng the streets were crowded with gaily
dressed throngs of people. Everybody was
out and everybody was dressed up.
Even the itinerant vender who had been
frozen in during the cold weather appeared
on the streets and reveled in the glorious
warmth. The hackmen divested then-
selves of coats and wraps and enjoyed life,
and everybody was glad and smiling be-
cause spring had arrived and the end Of a
long and miserable winter was at hand.
The small boy wandered down TO the
river and wondered if the water was too
cold TO go in swimming, while the small
girl wondered how soon she might be al
lowed to disport around the house bare
footed. The vagrant and the unemployed
man INDUCED in sweet slumber on park
benches and had no fears now that the
crimpy weather" had passed.
Even the street car companies reyeled in
the general pleasure and ran open summer
cars on nearly all of the lines These
were well patronized and closed cars were
bOyCOtted for the day.
The only pessimist discovered yesterday
was the weather man, who sees lots OF cold
weather ahead and advises the enthusiastic
public not TO lay aside overcoats and wraps
for some time yet. Rain is promised for
today and cloudy weather will prevail Cold
weather is scheduled for March Is. 20 and
- but the month will go out like lamb.
Washington has had taste OF spring
however, and the people will not be happy
until summer is here. The new free feel
ing experienced by laying aside oyercoats
yesterday viii prevail. and even the
weather man may not warn.
One Of the features of the day yesterday
vas the large number OF bicycles to be
seen on the streets. A number OF clubs
made runs around the city heralding the
advent Of spring.
Great crowds visited the Capitol the
Corcoran Art Gallery. and other places OF
interest while the number Of visitors to
the navy yard was the largest in many
months. The churches were attended in
much greater numbers than for some time
past