Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-21
THE SUMMER GIRL.
She Blooms Here Fairer Than in ANY
Other Citv

A gentleman, a stranger standing at the
junction of two lines of electric street cars
on a hot night recently, after silently watch
ing the almost continuous stream of open
cars filled with passengers In summer at
tire, remarked to a Washington friend that
he never before in any city observed the
blooming of the summer girl in such fun
efrulgence of feminine loneliness as in the
capital
.IIf there is any city in the United States
of equal or larger size that can match
Washington in the production of the sum
mer girl" replied the resident, I'VE are anX-
ious to have her shy her hat into the ring
for the honor, as we are prepared to meet
all Corners and our banners are nailed to
the outer battlements.
You see, 1t is this way: Washington is
the natural habitat of the summer girl
She thrves here as do the flowers in the
parks A few of the contributing causes
will be found to be of interest. as you come
from city where the possibilities OF the
culture of the summer girl do not exist as
here.
Our streets are wide and smooth. and
are traversed by as perfect a system Of I'M
foreground trolley as may be desired Wash
ington being an inland city, Its permanent
residents cannot bolt for the seashore as in
New York and Boston, and one of the chief
recreations is riding through the city out
into the cool suburbs to the many pleasure
resorts which surround the town, and may
be reached by thirty-minute ride from the
treasury building. At these resorts there
are excellent musical and other attractions;
and the summer girl, the summer young
man, and all other girls and men enjoy these
summer evening rides to the utmost
The open cars being brilliantly iluminat-
ed by electric lights the brilliancy OF the
scene is enhanced. Thus. you viii observe that
each car is filled with pretty girls and
handsome women, most of whom are dress
ed in soft, white goods. dimities dotted
swiss and lawns, eight out of ten without
hats, and all as happy as basket OF kit
tens and as joyous lot &c children on
their way to a picnic. In fact, the cars
may be said to be punched with bouquets OF
harmonious contrast the dark coats and the
Panama hats of the men.
Again, our streets are not TO be matched.
in that they are as clean as floors and
f1anked with the familiar green reservations
which constitute strips of narrow front
lawn, on which the occupants of the dwell
ings may sit out in 'front.' If they do not
desire to occupy the steps. The summer
girls Of Washington. therefore, stroll about
arm In arm. or with their escorts. through
the quiet, tree-lined streets without fear Of
moleStation from roughs and hard charac-
ters or they may display the seasons finery
from the steps of their houses advantage
ously over the summer girls in other cities
where the streets are narrow ard the houses
abus the sidewalks
I'm short no surprise Is felt on the part
OF our residents when strangers like your
self comment in wonder and in favor
they observe admiringly the open cars
nightly crowded with the summer girl In
fun bloom. They constitute one of the
features of Washington life which dist4n-
guish it from the life in other cities md
a man must indeed be of callous hardened
heart If he does not feel a pleasant glow
of qualification at the entertaining sight
which greets his eye"