The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-02-27
HOW THE POOR LIVE.


a uoou "ehi Ior Ien Cents-Chenp Hes
taurant Of the Better Class.
tChicago Tribune.l
Attracted by q rough crayon drawing of
Ben Butler adorning q placard ON which
was written @The Boss Workingman's Din
ner for Ten Cents, reporter descended to
basement restaurant on west Madison
street, determined to see for himself what
sort Of II dinner could really be served for 10
cents. The room had the ordinary appear
ance OF the cheap restaurant, but it was
cleaner than is usually the case, and there
was none Of that "frowsy" smell that Is 30
prevalent in places Of this description. Din
ner was ION" when the reporter entered and
the room was crowded with both men and
women.
The men were all evidently of tho decent
artisan class, while the women were mostly
work-girls from the neighboring stores.
Seating himself at table next a respectable
looking woman, the reporter called for his 10
cents worth. In mere aristocratic restau-
rants he had often been obliged to wait for
quarter Of an hour before no was served, but
here time was evidently money, for tho Or
der was hardly out Of his mouth before the
meal was before him. The dinner consisted
OF large bowl mot cup) Of excellent coffee,
as much bread as he could eat, that article
being supplied ad hbitum, and good large
cut Of beef Off the joint, with fair share Of
potatoes There was Just as much as any
healthy man would care to eat. and IL was
as well cooked and almost as cleanly served
as at a much more pretentious restaurant
and all for dimel
In conversation the proprietor said: II
feed about 800 to 1000 people day; but not
SO many now as in summer, for when win
ter comes nearly all the lumbermen and
dock hands 60 south What profit do
make, did you sayi Well, never moro than
a cent dish; sometimes not that It's the
number we serve that makes It pay. Il Is
. great mistake to suppose that the leavings
Of other restaurants are used up In cheap
restaurants. Come with me into the kitchen
and butchers pantry and will show you"
The reporter accordingly followed the pro-
prietor, and was astonishsd to see the neat.
ness and order that prevailed. In the
butchers pantry were hung up joints Of
meat as good and as fresh looking as ons
could wish to see. At last the visitor thought
he would have an opportunity Of learning
the mystery Of "hash;" so he requested the
proprietor to inform him as to the manu-
facture Of that compound. Nothing easier"
was the reply; ayou sec we make nothing
here but corned- beef hash,' and here Is the
oorned-beef that 1t Is made FROM" at the
same time taking up a piece of excellent
corned beef from a barrel After seeing 1t
the reporter felt that he could order hash
with safety, the dread of eating hashed
pussy cat being removed.
"What class Of people frequent your
placer
"Chiefy mechanics and clerks. Somehow
or another we never catch tramps Now and
again we get q stray one, but as rule u
tramp goes to a more expensive place.
have had customers coming here for years.
Did you see that old man with gray HART
Well, he has been customer Of mine for
years. He was worth his million once, but
he has often told me that he enjoyed the din
ner that he pays 10 cents for now better than
he did the ones he used to pay as many dol
lars for. He had dyspepsia then, but he
hasn't that now. They may talk about tho
high rate Of living in Chicago, but don't
think they have much to complain Of when
q man can board we'll for 81. 50 week"