Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-10
MmsTHINOo Ma
56 E&

ing omelettes in the leading hotels. restau-
rants and clubs of this city," said whole
sale fish dealer in New York to the writer
the other day. "Our northern oysters do
not contain the little dainties. so | am
obliged to buy them from the oyster shuck-
ers along the York, Rappahannock and
other southern rivers. The Chesapeake bay
shore oystermen send some also.
1.-THE little crab found in the oyster Is
not, as commonly supposed by two-thirds
of the oyster-eating community. the
young of the blue crab, but Is distinct
species 1t is messmate of and caterer to
the wants of the oyster, being. therefore, a
benefit, instead of a detriment, to the lat
ter. In return for the oysters kindness in
protecting it against its enemies, the little
crab catches and brushes food. which in its
entire state could not be taken by the oys-
ter. A singular thing in connection with
them is that all found inside of the oyster
are females The male of the same variety
has a hard she'll
when / first came to this city I was a
very green country boy. 1 had heard a
good deal about Fulton market oysters. so
1 went there and ordered stew. I had
eaten about half of it, when 1 was disgust
ed to find what I then called little red
bug in it. 1 kicked up fuss. and they had
an awful time conciliating me. 1t took me
some years to realize that was in error in
calling the titbt a bug
= x
Among the communicat atoms received in
the regular mail at the Department of Ag-
riculture a few weeks ago was a request
from farmer, located in one of the states
of the far west, that he be supplied with
quantity of certain kind of seed. He de-
sired he said, to make use of the seed on
his farm for experimental purposes. The
communication passed through the custom
airy channels until it finally reached the sec
ton OF seed and plant introduction. In due
time a package of the desired seed was
mailed to the address of the applicant, in
closed in one of the ordinary official penalty
envelopes.
Much to the surprise of the officials the
seed was returned to the department few
days ago. Accompanying 1t was long ex-
planatory letter from the farmer fun of
protestations that he was innocent of any
intent of wrongdoing. He had wanted the
seed for private use on his farm, he said.
but when he made application was ignorant
that such use was unlawful. He added that
as he had promptly returned the seed. not
having made use of it. he hoped he would
not be made to pay the fine.
The department people were highly
amused when 1t dawned upon them that the
western farmer had mistaken the warning
on the official envelope-"Penalty for pri-
vate use $Soo''-as ;/plying to the seed.
Havana, briefly but adequately describ-
ed. is city of low-lying pink. blue and yell
low houses of tobacco smoke and of num-
berless little victoria-like vehicles In the
public service
The speaker was young man who has
just returned from trip to the island
THE houses he continued, ARE made
of native stone that Is very soft and is
sawed into shape rather than chiseled. The
walls are from three to four feet thick and
the architectural style is naturally most
substantial The larger dwellings are built
about a tiled courtyard where fountains
play and palms grow most luxuriantly 1t
certainly was disllusioning to see three or
four dirty-looking Cubans emerge from one
of these grand old palaces. The Cubans
that dress well are the ones that live in the
most humble fashion, spending all they
earn or can secure upon their backs
The tobacco smoke permeates the at
mosphere. While l was in Havana the
first steps of the Americans in control to
restrict the promiscuous smoking in public
places, theaters and street cars were taken.
Upon arrival in Havana harbor one is
rowed ashore in a little boat, the oarsman
putting away at his black cigarette. Your
coachman smokes serenely on his box as
you rattle up the roughly paved streets to
the hotel. There the clerks are smoking
the porter smokes as he shows you to your
room. the workmen repairing the marble
hall boy fondles cigarette and the cham
bermaid-whO happens to be man in Cuba
blows rings OF smoke as he makes the
bed l stood it all pretty we'll until | met a
beggar, who requested aims out of one side
of his mouth while he had big black
cigar stuck in the off corner. That's where
l quit.
The little public victorias with their
fast ponies. are a delight to all Americans
There are over 5000 of them in Havana and
they take the place of the street car One
is always within hailing distance and the
service is so well regulated by the author
1tleS mat there can be Oyercharginp
The fare is one peseta in Spanish silver. or
about 10 cents in American money Two
people may ride a single fare For a
third person cents additional is charged
The coaches are the cheapest and in the
end the most expensive of the luxuries en-
joyed on a Cuban jaunt. 1t seems to me
such a line of vehicles in Washington would
make big money"