The Washington times., 1917-04-08
TENSION RELIEVED
BY EASTER GAYETY
Wars Threats Forgotten as
Paraders of Capital Exhibit
Gorgeous Raiment.

Soft-cheeked Miss Springtime was
formally weIcpmed by Washington to-
day. She has been here for some time
this coy maiden, who has been hirt-
ing outraSeously with old King Win
ter for the last month-but according
to custom as old as her father, Time,
her debut was not scheduled to take
place until today, Easter Sunday.
But different from her sister. Last
Spring, Miss Springtime was not quite
30 fresh, quite so happily carefree as
II the won't of this refreshing family
of adorable maidens.
Miss Springtime's father, Time. has
had q hard roy to hoe, and the brig I
blue skies of the Easter Sunday were
q little overcast, not alone BY clouds
Of atmospheric humidity. but by those
oft-proclaimed clouds of war which
have just poked their ugly heads
above the horizon and are frowning
upon a city not yet grown accustomed
to their presence.
War Threats Forgotten.
But the welcomers OF Miss Spring
time received the little "war bride" In
their accustomed manner. The serious
ness OF war was abandoned for a day.
Perhaps because the seriousness OF
war has not been felt by the gay
crowd OF Easter promenaders.
Connecticut avenue, Massachusetts,
avenue, Dupont circle, the Zoo-all
of Washington's gathering and prom
enading places-were thronged with
gayly bedecked pleasure lovers. The
Weather Man laughed grimly last
night as he gave out his verdict of q
bad Sunday. but Mother Nature smiled
and fooled him.
The day was nearly perfect, with
the exception of q slight chilly in the
air, and q thin film of vapor which
kept the sun from smiling quite as
warmly as II might have done, but
to look upon. And what Easter prom
enader minds a little cold, when show
ing on new gowns and frocks?
Gay and Refreshing Scene.
The scene looking from Dupont Cir
Gle down Connecticut avenue and
Massachusetts, avenue, two Of the ia
vorite Easter promenades, was a gay
and refreshing one.
Two long lines OF pedestrians, SOL
emnly passing each other, each
marcher arrayed In his Sunday-go-to-
meeting best, and the famous costume
adornments of Easter, walked be-
meath the trees bordering the ave-
nues, just beginning timIdly to put
forth their green foliage. In the but
tonhole of every frock coat there
was a white carnation, and in each
gloved hand there swung a new and
highly polished cane.
And the ladies'. Adorned In the
habiliments they had been planning
for months, secretly for the most
part, with a thought toward surpris-
ing a nelghbor, they formed the chief
attraction for the other half of the
promenaders. In spring frocks and
chic hats of every color the abused
rainbow has to offer, the fair walkers
were the ones who made the process
sion beautiful. And on the counten-
supreme comfort-each felt she had
outwtted the other.
Tributes to Master.
But before the parade began the
marchers had paid tribute to the Mas
ter, who rose upon this day
In the Capitals churches was a
grave note. Each pastor, in one way
or in another, mentioned the crisis
which confronts the country. And
the war Capital" strange and
new Capital for the younger genera
ton. prayed today that He who rose
upon this day might guide the nation
through the course upon which fate
has decreed she must follow.