The Washington times., 1902-01-12

Immediately a brisk and cheerful air
while she complains no longer OF the cold
that she had declared. a moment before,
was "a-freedgin' Of her to def"
And so. one by one at first. and after
ward more briskly the country people
come in and II you stand on Long Bridge
at about 6 o'clock-which 1t is not at all
likely that you will this kind of weather.
you will be surprised at the jam Of
wagons moving in seemingly endless
procession over that structure.
Just before Christmas, the country peo-
pie, those who occupy stands outside the
market. reaped a harvest, first Of holly
and Christmas greens. and later Of small
coin which they obtained In exchange.
The wagons that came In at that time
were all covered with green and the pro-
cession across Long Bridge reminded one
OF the spectacle presented to the horror
stricken Scottish tyrant when Burnham
wood was moved to Dunsinane.
Buying the "Banan.v
But to return to the market proper. 1t
is a remarkable fact that every man who
has come in has made, the first thing. for
the yellow light, or rather one Of those
beacons, for they have multiplied until
they dot the dreamy landscape, here and
there, like gigantic firefies hiding in
thickets Of glass.
Walking around to Louisiana Avenue,
attracted by the voice Of an auctioneer,
one comes upon groups Of Italian fruit
yenders, surrounding the sellers OF
bananas, oranges, etc, in crates. All the
figures familiar behind pushcarts in
Washington appear to be gathered here,
and they bid for the produce in their
excitable manner, talking among them
selves in their vernacular and with
abundance of gesticulation.
Many Of the well-to-do owners Of big
stands in the market are early on the
scene. still adhering to that invaluable
maxim Of Poor Richard. even after it.
together with other attributes, has
brought it's own reward.
1t is a notable fact, deserving OF sCien-
tifc consideration and investigation, that
each dealer seems to imbibe some of the
properties of the particular kind Of meat
or produce in which he deals. The butch
ers have all beefy compilations. except
those who conflne their aspirations and
ability to pork, these being often pale and
1atby.
The vegetable dealers are generally Of
a passive and stable disposition in con-
formity with their stock in trade, while
the bakers have in their composition
suggestion Of -four. The venders Of fowl
are usually a small, alert, quick-eyed
class. while some of the pickle men appear
to have become soured.
Some Early Customers.
There would appear to be fascination in
standing in the market to those who have
become accustomed to 1t. Some OF the
ladies who are most devoted to this ex-
ercise Of their business ability are the
very ones who when their husbands first
proposed it to them were loudest in their
objections. declaring they would rather
die first.
When the stalls, inside and out, have
received their occupants, the early mar
keters commence to arrive. An old gen.
tleman, very particular, who trots about
accompanied by colored basket carrier
is one Of the earliest buyers. He is re-
tired Judge, and a great gourmet. He
would nc more think of allowing any
body to select his food for him than Of
going without his dinner.
former picturesque figure at the
market in the early morning was Chin
ese Minister, a very stout and jolly man,
whom the mere sight of good food ap-
peared to put in the best Of humor.
Many persons make it a rule to 90 to
market every morning before breakfast,
so that lively scene is soon presented.
Here an old gentleman, very wealthy and
very miserly, will be heard, in nigh,
cracked voice expostulating with butcher
able in his taste for fowl, for. though he
buys the birds fresh, he buries them In
the ground for several days before eat