The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-06-04

DtdI, lhdb illuSN
liz. be it," pointing TO
an old iron gate
way that showed just ahead.
Ever since Mrs. Hodgson had told
them the wonder of the Caledonian
rag market, Helen had been deter
mined to come. She had finally per-
suaded Warren TO meet her early and
go with her this afternon.
The underground had brought them
out in twenty minutes, and they
planned to see the market and get
back to London in time for dinner.
They had reached the end of the
street now, and Helen caught her
breath at the scene before them. In
a great fencedin space was mass of
stalls, horses, wagons and a motley
swarm of people.
The rag market! The Caledonian
rag market! To Helen, who reveled
in rummaging through old things, the
very name was enticing. The dusty
windows of every antique or even sec.
ondhand shop held for her alluring
possibilities. And now to explore this
famous old rag market
Huh. this is a rum place shifted
Warren. "Whered they get all this
junk?"
Listen dear" shaking his arm ex-
citedly. Lets start here, and go up
one lane and down the other-so we
won't miss a thing"
There were no regular stalls. Ev-
erything was spread out on the ground
on old pieces of carpet or sheeting
and back OF each lot was a RAM
shackle cart and the patient donkey
or horse that had drawn 1t.
"Yer own price, lady" urged the
man as Helen paused before an amaz-
ing mass of odds and ends-every-
thing from old jewelry to old shoes.
business brisk in glass eyes to-
day." Warren poked his cane at a
box OF artificial eyes. You've got a
full line there-assorted colors."
YES, sir" grinned the man, take
yer choice-tuppence EACH
By the next lot sat an old woman
as weird as her stock. There were
tin foot-tub, a globe for goldfish, a
clothes wringer, bronze Atlas shoul.
dering a clock, a plush album, and
irons, old lace, bedraggled feather
boa, rusty rat trap, and odd pieces
Of old pewter, china and brass
Dear. did you ever play that game
where they carried around a lot of
things on tray, and you wrote them
down from memory"
"Be tough job remembering
these" chuckled Warren. Where in
blazes does all this junk come from
that's what gets me-"
"Oh, London's so wonderful-it's full
OF old things. And this rag market is
only on Fridays"
The weeks collection, eh? Ah,
here we are!" Warren swung his
cane over a basket Of false teeth.
MAY need 'em some day. How about
laying in a supply?"
ooh, how awful! Do people real
ly-"
Sell me good upper set cheap to-
day." asked Warren.
tiousness, glared at him angrily.
Dear. don't make fun, and don't
poke at things with your can't" whis-
pered Helen. Some Of them don't
like 1t"
who cares?" shrugged Warren
"You just pounce on the freakish
things. There's lots of interesting
things here-I know there are. Dear.
you 20 along that side while ! stay on
It's. Mrs. Hodgson said we shouldn't
be, together anyway-theyN think
wen American tourists and put up
the plces."
"AllNight. suit yourself Only I'm
not goifg to hang around a woman
long"
At a stab Jus, beyond a woman was
haggling over the price of an old blue
meat platter Helen. interested. drew
nearer.
I'll give you one and six"
Two bob. mum. no. a penny less"
The woman shook aer head. laid
down the platter and started of
Take II along for one and a tan.
"a" he called after her. MY two
mo, rs in the war. lady Let a poor
d,os make enough TO feed tEeir kid
N re- span stolidly put the platter
foIlowod shopping bag. and Helen
ws,ched so keenly observant She
canter and ~ a lace scarf. a de-
,oro ,ha. 7dlestick. paying not
This was ,,nn, prices asked
'1g, for it was evi.