Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-30

IL found there cannot be dupli-
Gated anywhere else. All that
occurs In this quaint place is different from
that which goes on in the surrounding
quarters. When two representatives of The
Star paid Little Italy visit they found
themselves in little world distinctive in
character.
On leaving the Bowery and entering into
Elizabeth street the visitor leaves behind all
that is essentially American. Elizabeth
street on the particular evening in ques-
tion. for several blocks was gaily decorated
with bunting and festoons of red. white and
green. representing the Italian tricolor, al
ternated with the red, white and blue, in
honor OF America. At equi-dstant points
circular iron beams extended across the
street. studded with hundreds of colored
globes. which were to contain "luminetti'-
dimfnutive wicks stepped in oil-which burn
for several hours. Banners were scattered
everywhere. although there was little dis
play of flags. The windows of the tenements
were full of festive Italians, all eagerly
awaiting the hour for the parade to pass.
The more fortunate ones who possessed
balconies made the occasion one of general
pleasure, sharing their places with their
friends
On one side of the street the visitors no.
ticed a group OF persons discussing some
thing of special interest. The listeners
ranged in ages from little girl Of four to
an old man of probably four score and ten.
A woman whose sixteenth birthday must
have fallen in 1S4G was commanding atten-
tlon. She was typical Italian peasant,
with a few gray hairs parted in the center
and drawn tight down over her She
smiled in peculiar fashion. and her tooth
less mouth, was drawn and wrinkled. Yet
her eyes sparkled as she telling of her
newborn great-grandson. Whenever she
said something that was received with less
enthusiastic approval she turned to the old
man, who approved his wfe's statement
with Isl. ST."
OF course her great-grandson was the
incest baby in the world oh, he was so fat,
And so rosy And so hungry!
All may the good Lord bless him." the
eat-grandfather exclaimed during a pause
in the conversation, to which all the listen
ers replied:
"Amen'"
Meanwhile the street had grown in anima-
ton. The sun had about disappeared behind
a few clouds, and presently 1t would be
dark. Italian boys prepared the wicks for
the Nominations Here and there, from the
front doors. young girl or a woman would
sweep into the curb the dirt which had ac-
cumulated in front of their houses.
Italians of all ages were everywhere The
children. for the most part. sat on the steps
OF some dark hallway; others, more fortu-
nate. crowded around an ice cream cart
The sidewalks We're crowded. Some recent
arrivals from the mother country were
dressed in their light blue coats, velvet
vests and corduroy trousers Bright red
handkerchiefs hid the shirt band OF some
Then there were the men dressed like the
grand American" Their pointed patent
leather shoes, their creased trousers and
high collars, and free display of cheap
jewelry caused them to be called the
'signori" of Little Italy" A foppish
youngster who walked like a chorus girl
left perfumed trail behind him. When not
engaged in twirling his delicate mustache
lie glanced at a small mirror inlad in the
rib of folding fan.
The Star men approached a Neapolitan
and asked him in his own language what
the celebration meant.
"Ah. you speak Italian" was his query
Then he explained. partly in words and
partly in gestures:
Eth. today is our saints day. We are
celebrating his memory. Our saint has been
good to US. and We must not forget him.
We do this on the occasion of the day of
every great saint. For the good parish
priest taught us not to forget the saints or
the Madonna. And sect He pointed up
and down Elizabeth street with a sweeping
motion of the hand.
Every hand was twirling mustaches. ap-
parently. 1t was the exception to see a
man interested in something else. And the
explanation. in a nutshell. is because the
average beauty of Little Italy" would as
soon enter convent as to fall In love with
hairless lip.
Apropos of mustaches and masculine
beauty. bit of conversation between sew
eral girls was overheard. They had passed
fellow whose clean shaven face was not
bad to look upon.
What pity! 4 handsome man like him
and without a mustache!' excla med one.
You are crazy another girl replied in a
tone which II anything was pitiless. How
can a man be handsome without a mus
tache?"
The two visitors made their way through
the crowded sidewalk. They passed an
Italian bank. which In connection with its
financial business sold cigars tobacco and
general groceries. II Is one of the many
places whose existence has been deprecated
by the Italian officials In this country and
the American press In connection with ar
irving immigrants, who usually fieeced
there. They entered the place. evidently an
old hallway crudely rebuilt for banking
purposes. The only light came from an
oil lantern, revealing on the walls nashy
Autograph posters advertising steamship
lines. banking agencies. etc. The rates of
exchange there were from six lire and twen-
ty-five centimes to seven lire for one dollar