The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1900-04-27

sponges The last form the chief eN-
ports Small vessels 90 out with pro-
visions-including live pig or two
and in six weeks bring in their cargo
Of sponges. The sponge market is the
busiest place, yet even there no sign of
haste is apparent. The sorting and
trimming is leisurely accomplished 10y
negro women, after which the sponges
are pressed into bales and the refuse
sold to fruit growers to enrich their
orchards.
Perhaps the most interesting place
in Nassau is the fruit and vegetable
market, where colored women of all
ages in a rainbow assortment of tur-
bans or hats, talk, smoke and wait for
customers. Their small store is easily
arranged on box, barrel, or rude
counter. Numbers sit plaeidly on the
ground, their products beside them.
A curb-stone often furnishes an accept
able salcsroom for the candy maker,
whose homemade CONNECTION is always
popular Old women have their tale
of need ready lnr sNmpalhz'n ears.
The shilling bestowed brings forth
blessing out Of all proportion to the
gift. Eyes are raised hcavenward, lips
move in frrvent prayer, calling down
the "seven blessings of heaven" and
one turns away feeling complacently
virtuous, until by mistake, the poor
soul meets again the same victim and
again relates her pennless condition.
They have learned the look of kodac
fend, and also that small change comes
that way. Yet some look upon the
box with superstition, and storm OF
Indignation jabber convinces the artist
that these dark islanders have rights.
With all its advantages of soil and
climate New Providence has no fruit
to export. The only productive Or
chard near is across the harbor on Hog
island. Boats are ready every morn
ing, and so are the tourists, especially
since the ride and all the fruit one can
eat, are furnished for one shilling.
There are no stylish accommodations
in this orchard entertainment. Rough
tables hold freshly gathered fruit and
experts stand ready to serve. Thrust
ing pointed stick through an orange,
they dexterously peel it from end to
end, leaving only the juicy pulp. 1t
is presented to the first conner, who is
soon oblivious to everything but the
goodness of that orange. Another and
another is presented and accepted-a
round dozen is not uncommon-until a
locker on wonders with great admira-
ton" Bunches of small, delicious
bananas hang in easy reach; the c,sto-
mer eats at will, then turns again to
the tables to try fresh cocoanuts in
that delicious, jelly-like state, which
calls for spoon. "A few devote them
selves to papaws, but there are more
calls for grape fruit-the rcd-meated
shaddock being favorite. A perfect
ly ripe sapodillo is luscious, but one
must stop somewhere, even at the risk
of losing acquaintance with some i
the forty varieties Of fruit grown in
that delightful orchard.
A most charming diversion for the
visitor at Nassau is an expedition to
the sea-gardens. After pleasant sail
of seven miles, the boatman drops an
chor and small glass bottomed boat
comes alongside. Beside the oarsman
and indispensable diver, three people
enter and sit gazing through the crys-
tai into the sea beneath, as they are
slowly rowed about the gardens. So
clear is the water, that the sandy bot
| tom seems within touch, and one longs
to step down and wander at will
through the walks, and grottoes, and
labyrinthine ways of this fairy-laEd Of
the sea. Small, brightly -colored fish
dart through the purple or white
plumed seaweed, while in miniature
groves of branching coral myriads of
sea-people are at work. Fan-like
plants, anemones with flowery fringes,
sea urchins, conchs, and exquisite shells
are there in such numbers that one is
amazed at the hidden marvels of crea-
| ton.
Sponges grow in finger-ike forms. or
, cups, or branching homes for the jelly
like inmates. Here they have built a
veritable organ, through which sea
waters play, and everywhere the velvet
sponge of commerce may be seen.
The ready diver plunges at call and is
generally successful; but if he bumps
awkwardly against the boat, or fails to
secure the prize, one learns from those
serene islanders to accept with smiles
whatever comes. Divers are one of the
natural products of Nassau. The first
greeting to the visitor is from boat
loads of chocolatc-hued boys who sur
round the steamer, clamoring for the
privilege of diving for penny. The
, copper is thrown, there are headlong
plunges, and in the clear water one
sees the falling coin. the race, and the
dripping victor soon climbing into his
boat to beg for another. All is good
humor; those who fail and those who
win, equally smiling and equally i'm
! Tho1- oro ,rrocictih1o Ono