Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-17

In the city of Washington, in the very
heart of the national capital. dwells a
community of nearly 800 souls whose lives.
customs. religion and amusements are ut
terly alien to our Institutions. 1t is the
Greek colony-Is separate a people IS
though yet dwelling in the towns or plains
of their native Attica or Sparta. They are
with US, but not of US.
Every one is familiar with the ''push-cart
man. he stands along the main thor
oughfares crying his fruit or candy, or
vending his vegetables through the resi-
dence streets in the early morning hours.
Not every one knows. however, that ninety
nine out of every hundred of the itinerant
vendors is a Greek. and that every Georgjos
and Demetros among them, boy or man,
despite his uncOuth appearance. is a small
capitalist, ana carries anywhere from fifty
TO several hundred dollars concealed about
his person.
1t is by no means easy to obtain glimpse
into the inner life of these people. Their
wall of reserve is so high. their suspicion
o: air not of their own blood SO deepseated,
their shyness before strangers so painful,
that 1t is quite impossible to force Il way
into intimacy with them, and difficult to
win their confidence. One must come
vouched for, and become, in fact, one of
them, If he would see them as they really
are.
Down on John Marshall place. within n
block Of each other, are the Hcllenikcn
Acnodochion and the Hellenkos Syllogos
Outside there is nothing TO see but small
signs In the Greek characters. and closely
drawn curtains over the windows. Occa-
slOnaIly a forcisn-looking man enters or
leaves. If you go in, you will see only
rows OF dining tables, and an aproned wait
er or GAO. Yes, they are restaurants. but
II you tank that is all you are mistaken
-. IL
tempt to give AN order you will probabI
be told. in halting English, that they are
sorry, but the last of the food has Just
been served. Had you come with proper
credentials Eou would have enjoyed cui-
sine above the art of the American TO pro-
duce for like price.
Their Social Clubs
These are in reality the clubs of .he
Greeks, their restaurants their hotels. their
places 20 meet and drink, play cares,
smoke dance and exchange the amenities
of life. They seek no foreign trade and
in fact, resent and gently repuise unwar-
rantcJ advances into their privacy. All day
long, and. on Saturday. far into the night
these men are only buSIuesS-puS the
cart working in the market stand. the
Darbe, shop or fruit store. When the
work IS over. they seek these club hoU ses
ana The moment the door closes behind
them they become different people. light
iiHe.t 80 u, IFN4di, H.lliuike III tnclr bearing
10 each other and in their pleasure. in tncis
simple sports. calling an order for their
supper. coupled with quip for the waiter
or the cook. and answering roughly the
rough salIies with which their friends greet
their arrival
The Greek edibles-meats of the juicest
cuts smothered in aromatic herbs. GRO
quotes of pungcnt, spicy flavor. vegets-
bles IN combinations and modes of prega r4-
tiOn unknown To Americans. cheese from
the fresh milk of the goat-are served ON
the dishes from which they are 10 be eaten.
Each table fills ~ with group of IA
mIliarS and for an hour all attention is
given 10 the meal Then the table is clear
ed, Turkish coffee IS rica and rare as ooGld
De obtained at DcimOnicO s is brought ON
in tiny cups, and when perhaps three or
four cups have been drunk, the "hubbIe-
bubbles appear
The attendants bring in these huge Turk
ish water pipes. filled with choice but pow
erfui tobacco. and place them beside The
guests. Then a live coal is placed on the
bowl. while the attendant takes the end Of
the long tube in his own mouth. inhalips
deeply till the smoke comes freely. when
he passes the mouthpiece to the smoker
himself.