The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-04
v; II

BY way Of compensation for a most
unusual July and August season, the
sixth street Market, the Mecca of Rich
mond women at large during early morn
ing hours now presents in the fruit,
flower and vegetable line, most at
tractive appearance.
The Richmond women are a law unto
themselves. and an example to women
everywhere else. In the unvarying regu.
larty and punctuality with which they
fulfill their matutinal market engage
ments.
Nattly gowned. bright, fresh and deep
1y interested, they make their rounds me
german or reception of the preceding
4 evening. the press of social engagements
the absorption of whist and other CLUB
pursuits, literary and artistic. have never
proved sufficiently enthrallins to divert
the mind of Richmond matrons from
giving due and personal consideration
to the selection. daily, of what is after
wards served at their tables.
Just now they are able to indulge pre-
ferenccs because Of the October plcnteous-
ness in regard to the fruits and flowers
Of the earth The great sheaves of golden
rod offered by the market flower women
have taken on a richer, deeper hue
matched by the exquisite velvet tints OF
the many varieties of dahlies peeping
from the fringing green fronds OF the
ferns which encircle them. The VIVID
scarlet of sage petals contrasts with inc
nodding plumes of Love Lies Bleeding.
October roses, sun-kissed and lovely, MI
the air with their fragrance. chrysanthe'
NUNS and asters, in their bitter-sweet
pungency, hold the prescience OF the
passing of the year in their hearts even
while Indian summer with It's soft air'
beruiles one into the belief that warmth
and perfume and the out-of-door JOY ID
living must go on indefinitely.
Fruit merchants in the market have
learned the art of showing their delicious
wares to pretty advantage. The green OF
pipplns the ruddy cheeks of winesaps,
tho pale yellow of Beethoven apples; the
darker tones of Florida oranges and rus
sets; the graceful heaping of TokaN Con-
cord and Malagas in translucent grapes;
the piles of California pears and peaches
make a feast of color for the eye no less
than succeeding feast of flavor for the
appetite.
From the flowers and fruit to vegeta-
bles the transition seems easy and ma
tural. and the steps of the market visi-
tor turn instinctively from one to the
other.
Not yet has one Of summers gifts In
vegetation departed October has only
added to the list and might be pic
tured with her arms hcaped high in her
abundance and prodgality. The scarlet
CLINT Of her blossoming is not brighter
than the coloring which makes the hue
Of tomatoes and pepper pods. Her duskN
puppies show In the smooth roundness or
egg plant; mlk-whlte iuciness Is evil
denced in tempting ears Of corn, pale
greenness in the crisp promise of peas
and beans, and rich succuence in potatoes
and pumpkins.
Passing lightly hther and thither amid
this goodly array, the Richmond house
wife pauses long enough to Gull with prac
ticed hand and eye the goods that adj
lust themselves to the measure of her
purse and her taste.
When later, she smiles at John across
bountifu board she demonstrates oHlu-
siyely the factthat she has a better
power of transmutationt than King Midas
of old. John acknowledged it in his heart
and, In his twentieth century fashion,
paws her as sincere homage as did the
medieval knight. who rode to battle
with his ladys scarf twined In his he'll
met.
In the country. the hunting season has
been naugurated, and the crack Of the
sportsman's gun Is heard from the woods
and the hillsldes, where the squirrels
and birds ara FALLING victims to his skill.
A little lateG.nnd The music of the fox
hounds viii be followed In country meets,
where the pink coated horsemen and fair
Virginia equestriennes will curb their i'm
patient mounts, by the view and halo
of the chase and the breathess onrush
of the finish.
Then Will come the lesurely ride home
through the mild October cleaning,
when the moon rise is dangerously near,
when retrospective talks are apt TO
prove dangerously sweet alike to hunter
and huntress.
Opening of Art Club.
Miss Anne Fletcher. who has spent
the summer in Paris, will return to Rich
rnond about October 9Th. to resume her
position as Instructor of classes at the
Richmond Art Club studio. corner of
Grace and Madison Streets