Daily Republican., 1885-01-06
LADIES' VINO LOVE LIQUOR

The New York Sun says that passing
through the storm doors ut the side en-
trance OF sixth avenue drinking sa-
loon, one enters short passage, or vas.
Thule, with small door at the side
bearing the legend. Gentlemen, un
panied by ladies', not admitted. "
This reversal OF the customary warn.
ing 10 ladies' una com panied by gentle.
men Ia explained by "a glance into the
cosil y-furI ished apartment into which
the small door opens, especially during
shopping hours. The interior liz con.
nected with The adjoining saloon, and
IL often crowded at such times with
ladies enjoying clandestine refresh.
nents.
Sngly. In pairs. and In groups OF
three or four, they occupy little ma
hogany tables, with their glasses be-
foie them, while some are indulging in
cigarettes. The x assrs mostly contain
beer, bat there Is d sufficient min Cling
OF stronger beverages 20 dictate q train.
cd habit on the part OF the fair drink.
ers. la rare instances a male escort is
opserSab AT enc or another of the lit
tie tables, but they are ter the most
part sole.y occupied by fashionably
dressed women, some with packages OF
recent purchases and others with no
such indication that their presence In
the drinking den Is Incidental rather
than prcme,iiated.
AZ a sun reporter recently entered one
OF these retreats, duly chaperoned, there
was II subdued hum of conversation
like the soft inurmur Of summer hive
nj noon a white aproned waiter OF
a Ia. ~ Il
by Rround-Rlass paneled door from
the adjoining saloon, was taking the
orders Of group of the ladies " ho had
Just appropriated one of the tables. OF
a dozen or more others who were dis.
cussing beverages around them, one
was enjoying plate of Swiss cheese
and another a saIdine sandwich. and
three yunnR ladies in expensive seal
skins and towering hat plumage were
lazily smoking cigarettes over delicate
ly-looking compounds that were airily
suggestive Of "a vinous or alcoholic base.
II was late in the afternoon.
- | must really be going now, dears. :"
said one OF a party of three, reluctantly
rising, after finishing her beer AMI
gathering mp her packages. d" hav.
been here two hours already, and will
barely have time TO see TO he dinner
before my husband comes home from
his business.
Stay for one more" urged one of
her companions. Yon have, now,
the holiday displays and the consequent
crush "a the stores as an excuse for
late SLY piping, you know"
No, tina, ks I've tried that on
twice a already, and my husband is too
wide awake to put up with 1t again. |
Goodbye and rememb Der you both owe
me visit. |
There was a little ripple OF regrets
and anieux as she tore herself away.
Then the solitary occupant ola Ia
Die III he iemotest corner, whom the
reporter hal not therefore .notioed-I
very pretty young woman In mourn
ing, but with feverishiy flushed cheeks
and sparkling tye--sienaled the at
tendant to her side and ordered "a
little more whisky and seltzer" in a
low, musical voice
I'd hate to be married and have to
hurry home at q regulation hour, Ike
a lave" observed one of the cigarettel
smokers, In comment upon the lady
who had taken her departure In re-
Spouse 10 duty small voice.
" SO would L." said the younger of
her compan ions. Papa rarely asks
me where ] have been when | get
home late. Ii he does, I've always a
purchase or TWO AZ an explanation, and
he drinks 40 much himself when down
town that he cant discover anything
in my breath v hen kiss him.
" You should both raj her wish to be
AZ | an, TO man who is not
over inquisitive,' said the third, with
a .lu..
very soul Of consideration, and spends
he Uost OF his time at his club when
not at his Office or playing billiards.
Town town. Waiter. you may repeat
these, If you please"
Every few minutes ladies were quit
ing the place and their seats were oc.
,upied by new coIners. There WAS a.
rustic 81 * iris, mingled with
very day small talk and comments |
upon the refreshments produce~l. Dur |,
ing one of the most busting of these |
changes tho pretty yourg woman in {
furtively repeated her order,
and shrank yet deeper into her corner,
With her lace handkerchief half hiding
he glass that was presently raised to
ler lips by the daintiest Of gloved
lands.
:" have been here nun her of times,
hough never TO remain ore than a few 4
said the reporters compau.
On. Many of those you have seen |
hould say are habiturs. The aristocrat- ,
c looking elderly ialy yonder, with the :
title girl fondling new doll at her
side, must com" here quite often. The ,
ttle girl invai .bly accompanies her, .
nc may be her graudch,ld, The two
women, with their heads to-
ether while imbibng something or a
iher through straws, are likewise near I
y al ways together, and think the
Jumper and more sty fish of the two Is !
he young wife of an old and very rich
'roker, who doubtless imagines her
Wholly engrossed with an everyday -
hopping mania. without suspecting the
'eal nature of the attraction that keeps A
her from her home and children. Il
As for the pretty little widow over h
here in the corner, she is Mrs., and II
think she must DO the Oldest aud -
teadiest frequenter of this retreat. In
AXE 1t she is now widow by reason of h
he weeds she wears no becomingly, al a
hough year or more ago, when k
rst remarked her here, she was invari. o.
hly accompanied by her husband, some
hing OF n swell, and n well known man
hout town, And then abe drank moth
~ but champagne, which he paid for o.
arelessly enough, though partaking Of
MT sparingly himself. Now her for "
me s.,ems to have undergone decided =
harpe. BE- the way, did you notice q,