Evening star., 1922-04-16

HEN the Senlet 10
M razed to complete. in part.
" " the Mall, which Congress-
plans to extend from the
Capitol to the Potomac river from south
of Pennsylvania avenue to line bound
ed by government buildings, block or
two further south, there will have passed
into memory one of the most interesting
and colorful spots that visitors have
viewed with interest during the last few
decades
Od-time Washingtonians were won't to
describe with pride to visiting relatives
and friends this, then, modern institu-
tion for an institution it was. Old resi-
dents not only used to patronize the
place. but also were eager to direct rela-
tives and friends to the market, where
they secured foodstuffs for the family
table.
Until recent years the wives of cabinet
members. other officials and women
whose names always appeared in the
social columns made it d practice to
drive down to the market. Accompany
ing milady would be the colored servitor.
carrying a large basket in which the
Saturday and Sunday dinners would be
placed The mistress went from stall to
stall, looking at the advertised wares on
display. The more favored purchaser
would receive most courteous safu-
tation from the purveyor. who. bowling
low, declared that he had just put TO one
side special pair of ducks or unusually
hn
steak. Affabiity and sincere desire to
please marked the order of the day.
x
INSIDE purchases having been COM
pleted. the shopper would visit the
stalls outside the market proper. Here
the country folks had tastefully ar
ranged their exhibits of rhubarb. celery.
kale. cabbage. carrots. potatoes. etc.
Here. toor enc found toothsome home
churned butter, luscious cottage cheese
and eggs fresh the morning before from
the Virginia or Maryland henfoost. A
little beyond would stand ample girthed
old-time darkeys, Mirandy. Naomi. ETC.
Most of these had been given biblical
names by fond mammies. Here one
found. according to season. daffodils, ar
butus, honeysuckle vines, sprigs of
laurel and home-raised potted plants
step beyond were aromatic onions.
leek, mint, home-raised and grated
horseradish and hundred or more ar
ticles for use on the family table.
Across the street were the open stalls
where fresh vegetables, potatoes, ba-
nanas, plantins and such like were on
sale To the right were little pigs. their
pink snouts emitting squeaks of wonder
at the surroundings. little sensing they
were to be purchased to grace the table
of some grand dame who was entertain
ing a party of friends-or perhaps they
were to be kept in the yard and fat
tened until Thanksgiving or Christmas
time.
So on from one end of the market
to the other did Washingtonians
wander two or three times a week In
search of the latest and most invit-
ing article of food. Thus it appeared
in the olden days and should one de-
sire to catch glimpse Of this fleet
ing former age they should take
trip the writer made the other morn
ing before daybreak.
Along toward midnight came a
creaking. ramshackled wagon drawn
by a horse, a counterpart of the
vehicle he drew, an old-fashioned
globe lantern swung to and fro.
Moses" the appellation bestowed up
on him by the driver. clumped.
r, ,o y,
well remembered space where he had
stood for years. The old-time darkey
climbed rheumatically from the seat.
fishing from underneath the wagon
body an o1d-time nose-bag. moved
forward to the head of his once
prancing steed, slipped off the bride
and gave Moses" his breakfast. He
was the first arrival at the market.
Then began the work of placing In
play the wares. The next step Of the
merchant was the kindling of a tiny
fire and the bringing forth of part
of a stool Then he pulled his rag
ged garment closely around his
shoulders and sat patiently waiting
for the first streak of dawn, when he
could unload his goods and arrange
them for early customers.
Five o'clock came, and with 1t the
first signs of the rising sun. The dy-
ing embers of the fire were stamped
out and the old-time market stall
man began his work. AS one looked
toward the Capitol. watched the ris-
ing of the sun, he could not help
feeling impressed by the beautiful
rose, violet and green tints Of the
sky. The trees stood out in marked
silhouettes, while the white dome
was bathed in a mantle Of beautiful
coloring.
OTHER wagons had arrived and
~ taken their positions, few, tits
true, for the majority of those who
bring produce from the adjoining
states no longer use Moses" or
"Dobbin," but rather the product Of
Henry" The old steeds cast dis
dainful looks at the chugging, rash
ing motors. They seem to resent the
advent of the f1ivver into their field of
activity Down from the corner came
an old darkey. hands, gnarled and
sEA Jed, hair siivereu by the hand OF