The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-12-26
LADIES WHO LOVE LIQUOR,
WOMEN WHO DRINK WHILE SHOP
PING IN NEW YORK.
Attachmcr ATS 20 Drinking saloons for
the Special Benefit OF Feminine
TippicrS-Whnt n Reporter saw.


The New York Sun saws that passing
through the storm doors at the side en-
trance of a Sixth avenue drinking saloon,
one enters a short passage, or vcstibule,
with a small door at the side bearing the
legend, Gentlemen, unaccompanicd by
ladies, not admitted" This reversal of
the customary warning to ladies unac-
companicd by gentlemen is explained by
a glance into the costly furnished apart
ment into which the small door opens,
especially during shopping hours. The
interior is connected with the ad joining
saloon, and is often crowded at such
times with ladies enjoying clandestine
refreshments. Singly, in pairs, and in
groups of three or four, they occupy lit
Gle mahogany tables, with their glasses
before them, while some are in.julging
in cigarettes. The glasses mostly con
tain beer, but there is a sufficient ming
ling of stronger beverages to indicate a
trained habit on the part Of the fair
drinkers. In rare instances male escort
is observable at one or another Of the
little tables, but they are for the most
part solely occupied by fashionably
dressed women, some with packages of
such indication that their presence in
the drinking den is incidental rather
than premedltated.
As a Sun reporter recently entered one
of these retreats, duly chapcroned, there
was o subdued hum of conversation like
the soft murmur of a summer hive at
noon. A white aproned waiter Of obse
quious demeanor who had entered by
ground glass paneled door from the adj
joining saloon, was aking the orders of
4 group of three ladies who had Just APP
propriated one of the tables. OF dozen
or more others who were discussing bev-
erages around them, one was enjoying
plate of Swiss cheese and another IL
sardine sandwich, and three young ladies
in expensive sealskins and towering hat
plumagc were lazily smoking cigarettes
over delicately- looking compounds that
were airily suggestive OF vinous or al
coholic base 1t was late in the after
noon.
Il must really be going now, dears, "
said one of u party of three, reluctantly
rising after finishing her beer and gath
cring up her packages. 81 have been
here two hours already, and will barely
have time to see to the dinner before
my husband comes home from his bust
ness"
"Stay for one more" urged one Of her
companions. 81 on gave, now, the holiday
displays and the consequent crush in the
stores as an excuse for late shopping, you
know"
mo. thanks; I've tried that on twice
already, and my husband is too wide
awake to put up with it again. Good
bye; and remember you both owe me a
visit"
There was little ripple of regrets and
adieux as she tore herself away.
Then the solitary occupant Of table
IN the rcmotcst corner, whom the re-
porter had not heretofore noticcd-a
very pretty young woman in mourning,
but with feverishly flushed checks and
sparkling eyes-sgnaled the attendant
to her side and ordered "a little more
whisky and settler" in low, musical
voice.
"Pd hate to be married and have to
hurry home at a regulation hour, like IA
slave" observed one of the cigarette
smokers in comment upon the lady who
had taken her departure in response to
dutys small voice.
" So would l." said the younger of
her companions. Papa rarely asks me
where | have been when get home late.
If he does I've always purchase or two
as an explanation, and he drinks so much
himself when down town that he emit
discover anything in my breath when |
kiss him"
"You should both rather wish to be
married, as | am, to a man who is not
over inquisitive, " said the third. with
complacent smile. " Harry is the very
soul of consideration, and spends the
most of his time at his club when not
at his Office or playing billiards down
town. Waiter, you may repeat these, if
you please
Every few minutes ladies were quitting
the place and their seats were occupied
by new corners. There was a constant
rustle of skirts, mingled with every day
small talk and comments upon the refresh
ments produced. During one of the
most bustling of these changes the pretty
young woman in mourning furtively re-
peatcd her order and shrank yet deeper
into her corner, with her lace handker-
chief half hiding the glass that was pres
emily raised to her lips by the daintiest
of gloved hands.
81 have been here a number of times,
though never to remain more than a few
minutes said the reporters companion.
Many of those you have seen | should
say are habitues. The aristocratic look
ing elderly lady yonder, with the little
girl fondling a new doll at her side, must
come here quite often. The little girl
invariably accompanies her, and may be
her grandchid. The two attractive
women, with their heads together while
imbibiDg something or other through
straws, are likewise nearly always
together and | think the plumper and
more stylish of the two is the young wife
ofan old and very rich broker, who doubt
less imagines her wholly engrossed with
an everyday shopping mania, without
suspecting the real nature of the attrac-
ton that keeps her from her home and
children. As for the pretty little widow
over there in the corner, she is Mrs. --,