Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-09
sleety Condition Of the Streets Brings
Trials and Tribulatiqps'
SMALL BOYS ENJOYING FINE SPORT
Two Cows Entertain a Crowd on
the Avenue.
FALLS AND FUN IN PLENTY

A new phase of winter came to Washing
ton in the wee black hours before the dawn
today, and when the people awoke the
streets were covered with solid ice nearly
half an inch in thickness A mixture of
sleet and rain provided the harmless-look-
ing frigid carpet, which more than belied
its peaceful appearance. Once ventured
upon, it proved slippery, sliding PATH
"cuss' words without number.
AS a result Of the slippery condition Of
the coat worn by the streets there have
been recorded not a few minor accidents
and injuries to man and beast, with a null
titude of incidents vastly humorous to the
onlookers but more than vexing to the I'M
willing and luckless participants in the lu-
dicrous entertainment. The discomfort to
those workers who were compelled to trek
the treacherous thoroughfares to Office was
offset by the unalloyed delight Of the small
boy, who looked upon the coming of the
ice Saturday as an interest taken by Provi-
dence in the pleasure or the urch1ns on
their play day of the week
Pennsylvania avenue presented an en-
tirely new and interesting appearance. The
smooth ice observed at the dawn was soon
cut in many hundreds Of lateral lines by
the rolling of the wheels of industry and
convenience, as represented in the busy
trucks and wagons, carriages and automo-
biles. These lines of white resembled a
maze of geometric or mechanical designs
during the early morning, but later in the
day the passing of many wheels had
churned the once firm ice into a snowy
slush.
An Amusing Scene.
About 10 o'clock this morning one of the
funniest sights ever enacted in Washington
at an impromptu and public entertainment
occurred at corner on pennsylvania ave-
nue. Two negro men appeared at that
hour from down 18th street. Each had at
the end of a rope charge-an old country
cow. black in hue 1t is seldom in these
days of progress and push In the nations
CAPITAL that two lorn tactical animals are
seen strolling through the main thorough
fares To bring the poor creatures into
town on such a slippery day gave TO them
more than due share Of notoriety.
The coIored boys were making good prog
ress up 18th street, keeping strictly IN the
middle of the road, where the ice had peen
softened by the traffic The cows pro-
ceeded with a caution born of the self
preserva.ory instinct, but nevertheless ap,
peared willing enough. All went we'll until
they came in contact with the car tracks.
Here the procession halted. There Is a
slight elevation to the tracks and on the
near incline one of the black chargers OF
the pasture baked. The other went on
serenely and made the Journey over the
railway in safety. With the other 1t was
pulled but old Mrs. Cow, without undue
elation or effort, stuck stolidly to her
tracks and could not be budged. The man
slackened the rope and took few steps to-
ward the immovable quadruped. lie ns-
ured on getting a running start and in that
manner dislodging his stubborn charge from
the position she had taken up
All was in readiness aud away to the
front started the colored man. As the rope
tautened down he came with bone-rat-
Ting shock Still the COW stuck fast. By
this time quite a crowd had gathered.
"Come on youse fellows, help man.
won't you? Get hold and push"
Cow Remains Obdurate.
A volunteer crew soon manned the rear
guard and two recruits Joined the leading
force. The propelling powers, slipped and
split, but the COW was firm. With SUI
perhuman effort the crowd effected a prog
ress of about six feet. bringing the beast
full upon the east bound track of the street
car company. Then there was more trouble.
A car came changing upon the scene. A
great noise was made to see II the COW
The animal became imbued with an ire
sistibe desire to back up, and on account
of the pressing necessity for clearing the
tracks, was allowed to indulge itself with
out show of opposition.
A council of war was held. The first
animal was brought back and placed along
side the stubborn member as means OF
moral suasion and again the caravan was
ever, was not to be beguiled in any such
manner.
"Blindfold the beast"
The suggestion came from a man in the
crowd, and was hailed with cheer from
the throng that had gathered So the main
man interested in the journey planned for
the cow-the darkey leader-shucked his
coat and began to bandage 1t about the
animals head. Once again the caravan was
ready to start, the only unwilling atom In
the procession being the COW. She would
not go. Two or three times she took back
ward steps and displayed penchant for
moving south, when every one else wanted
her to traverse the northward paths of
transportation.
This southward-ho! inclination led to an
unexpected, startling and completely con-
vulsing denouement While ways and means
were being discussed as to the best man.
ner of getting the COW across the tracks,
the animal bolted. The startled custodian
recovered just in timeto grasp the slip
ping rope. as the animal, south-bent for
fair, went hustling down 18th street in the
direction whence she had come. AS the
scurrying, hurrying pair-cow and man
disappeared in the distance their progress
was fast and furious. The man skated and
tUgged, resisted and demonstrated in stem
tOrian tones, but the COW needed not his
"Whoas."
The crowd dispersed with sides sore from
laughter.
COastinE the Order.
On the many hills in tho city where the
pavement is Of asphalt coasting parties
have been the order of the day The great
ircline leading from Connecticut avenue
up to Washington Heights was favorite
spot-not for horses and wagons. but FOR
the coasters IT seemed a.bft strange, too
for where the Ice was unnarkedfby runner
cuts, the dark complexion of the street
underneath was clearly seen and did not
present the appearance Of sickness that
was surely there - ~
Small boys on ice skatesahave been visit
ing their friends all over the city and en-
joying day of huge fun There. is no dan
ger of breaking through and no drenchine
water beneath, the kids" Have had a
morning Of unrestraintA Several grown-ur
folks have enjoyed skates Iat the texpense OF
the Ice too sure enough skates, ON the fce)
One department clerk skAaed til his work
and made better time than he had any
other day during the yeas ,il
CLEARING SKIES PROMISED.
- EGE 20
Sunday Is Expected ID Re fair. but