The times., 1901-06-03
LIVE TOPICS ABOUT TOWN.

In Washington houses are many me-
| mentoes of the war iu Cuba, but probably
there is nowhere anything more interest
ing than the two gates which now pro
tect she great pier glass in the drawing
room of the Inspector Generals house.
OF all the things that Gen. J. C. Breckin-
ridge has which are associated with the
campaign in Cuba, he prizes these gates
most. Not only have they association,
but they are uniquely ornamental, and
placed as they are, before a mirror. show
off to special advantage.
The gates, two in number. are of
wrought iron, about four feet high, and
each two feet and little more wide As
specimens of work in iron, and as an ex-
ample of what the Spaniard could do in
the way of ornamental forge work, they
are conclusive evidence that in that line
the Dons knew a good deal. They are
airy sort of things. spidery, and just
mere traceworR of thin iron bars twisted
into exceedingly graceful shapes. The de-
sign in each gate takes the form of tree
bearing fruit. and it is carried out In a
conventional manner with graceful flow
ing lines The two gates do not weigh
more than twenty-five or thirty pounds.
so thin are the iron strands with which
they were made.
The gates were taken out of a hospital
at Santiago, that one which stood nearest
the American lines, and the flag of which
proved a protection for such a wide ter
ritory from the shells of the American
batteries They were the gates of the in
Urinary, inside the hospital proper. and
were intended TO keep patients from get
ting into the hospital Immediately after
the capture OF the city the American
troops occupied the hospital, and the
American surgeons dispensed with the
gates. They were thrown aside. and
General Breckenridge, seeing them one
day, admired them and CHANGED to re-
mark what good ornament they would
make. After the war was over and he
returned to the United States. he found
the gates here. The men in charge of the
hospital had remembered his rgmarks and
had seen to 1t that his wish to have the
gates was gratifed
IN explanation of the wonderful work
manship shown on them, il is said that
the art CT iron working attained high
standard In Cuba, because nearly every
door or window is closed by grating OF
metal, and the forgemaSterS have plenty
of work to make them skilled at their
trade. Upon the gates which are in Cen
eral BreckinridgeS possession is evidence
painted, and the coat of black hides the
evidences of wear. There are places
however, where rust has evidently eaten
very deeply into them, indicating that
they were not made within recent years
Roses by the hundred, in fact. by the
thousand, are born to blush almost unseen
right in the path of the thickest crowds
that move in the streets of Washington.
OF the thousands of people who walk past
the corner of Fifteenth Street and New
York Avenue, probably not more than
score or more are aware that right across
the street is a garden containing the most
wonderful show of roses to be seen any
where in the city. The garden in front
of the Treasury Department has bios
somed this year into glory of color
that is quite astonishing. Rain and sun
shine rain ana sunshine, the coaxipg of
changing weather, has made the bushes
planted in the little green acre before the
stately building give up their very best.
They are crowded. overcrowded, with
blossoms. Every plant is in bloom and
generously in bloom. Red is the prevail
ing shade. and each bush seems solid
red spot upon a green background, so
thiSkly are the roses each bears crowded
together. The bushes stand thickly plant
ed, and glancing across from the Avenue
side to the fountain, one seems to be look
ing over a broad green carpet designed
thickly with red roses
The Treasury garden is blooming in ad-
vance of others, because 1t Is IN Such a
protected spot. Sunk down below the
level Of the street Ii is safe from the bit
ing winds of winter. The plants are not
nipped, the melting snow waters the
ground, the early spring rains soak the
earth. and a full fortnight before the
roses elsewhere the Treasury garden roses
are peeping out of their green buds.
And yet they are but little seen. Down
below the level of the street they are
al limo ct NJ q fhrnnR that
swarms past the transfer station Those
who change cars always stay on the east
side, and only small proportion go far
enough TO the west side TO see down into
the garden and become aware of the
riotous abundance Of roses that are bios
soming there. In the hurry that seizes
everyone who passes the corner. in the
business rush that drives nearly all. the
gorgeous roses go almost unseen.
Memorial Day transfigures the markets
of Washington. Not even at Easter time
do they blossom out In floral splendor so
gloriously as on May 80 From the mass |
of flowers that are heaped upon the side |
walks, in wagons. and on stands, it would !
seem almost that the country around |
Washington must be completely denuded |
of every blooming thing. Colored "uncles"
and 'mammies.'' boys and girls, have |
been out in the woods for days locating |
every plant and bush likely to have a |
blossom upon it b. Memorial Day, and |
the day previous has seen them all work |
ing like beavers TO get everything ready |
to put on sale at the markets.
The night before Memorial Day at the |
stations and along the country roads lead J
ing 70 the city. and especially in the |
streets around the markets. is wonder |
full one for there are wagon loads of flow |
ers everywhere, shedding their fragrance |
in the night air. The colOred hucksters |
from the country that come in by train |
unload their wares at the stations, and /
those who have come by road and wagon !
hustle and hustle for places of vantage |
near the markets. When the sun rises il |
is on a scene quite unusual. Eastertime |
the flowers bought are usually purchased |
from florists and those displayed at |
the markets are on sale by the men with |
For the flowers of Me- |
mortal Day, which everybody buys the |
entire country is levied upon and the col !
ored children who know where the bios |,
SONS grow are the ones who collect ma
lures tribute and bring 1t into the city |
TO sell. They turn many an honest pen /
ny and II IL were not for them the |
graves of many old soldiers would so un- |
decorated for want of flowers
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