The Portland daily press., 1900-03-02

We HAYS enjoyed all kinds Of weather
during the pest week, enough variety 70
satisfy the greatest kicker Ia the village.
We have md 1t cold and We have had IT
warm. It has showed and IL has raiusd,
and an an Intermediate condition 10 has
hailed. 1t has been good slsighing. and 1t
has also been good wheeling. One or two
DAYS have besn warm enough to en-
courage tailors TO advertises summer
clothing and have time to prepare for the
rush. Tha bicycle dealers and golf stick
men were surrsmely happy for limited
period Of this week, and then 1t was the
turn Of the seller OF skates and far over
coats. The coal men nave had their In
rings and at one tlne IL really looked as
II the ice men might find business opened
a little earlier than usual. Tho under
taker, the druggist, the doctor. the COM
poser OF resolutions Of respect and writer
Of spitaphs have all been busy. The
lightning rod men Rave believed their
: bnsy season was besianing, for we have
had thunaos. showers and q house near
here was reported to have been struck BY
lightning. We have sen open cars run
ming on the street and crowded to the
foot rails. Ths man who brings In the
first May flower has been hopeful ard
Adam NswbsgIn at one time believed
that re might he called upon In day or
two 60 pen the few lines every one longs
30 SEQ, And as finale to 1t NIL came the
s.oria OF yesterday.
This began IN a very promising way
with all of the ear marks of an old
fashioned, railroad blocking, rip roaring
blizzard. Everyone was delighted al the
prospect OF seeing sonething Of aD old
fashioned winter for q few hoars. And
then they guessed again. Ii began to
hail when there we're tive or ak inches Of
good healthy suowAHnder foot, and soon
this changed 10 a drizsiing rain. Then to
began 10 cone In shests and later by the
bucket ful II. This soon hrousht about a
most blessing condition Of affsiTs under
foot and . stiu more enhancing condition
overhead.
The Ice stcEm, for such 1t was for a 1T
tie time nearly finished the street rail
read traffic. The Ice on the trolley wires
served TO cripple the electric roads and
fer the greater part OF the afternoon cars
were run with difficulty, accompanied by
. pyrotschnical display that was remark
able. Then when the rain came the side
walks became almost impossible for
pedestrians and the streets were running
streams.
: BY the time that rain began to fall
which was In the early part Of tbs after
noon, there was considerable snow on the
around. The inceFsant and very heavy
dswnpour Of rain which fell during the
aftsrnoon and evening melted this snow
90 that On ali of the streets there wers
rivers of water and acres Of slush. Then,
10, add to all Of this wretshedness the
most Of the sidewalks were covered with
glare Ice 60 that people who were
obliged to be out took 20 tins streets. The
day was busy one for tbs electric rail-
reads. Every car during the afternoon
and evening was crowded with passengers
and among these there were as many who
had to stand a. those who were fortunats
enough In securing ssats.
The rain was coming down In perfsct
torrents at six o'clock In the evening,
Just ae an hour when the stores vers be-
ing clsssd. Al this tins and for the fol-
lowing hour Congress and Middle streats