The sun., 1885-02-22
TEE CrrY or FREE LUNcHEa
New Orleans Saloons Aheud In The OGerine
of PremInms Z. Her DrInkers.

NEW ORLEANS, req. lT.-lhlS city Is the
paradise OF free-lunches. Probably nowhere
else on earth nre tho wants of tho men who
eat In barrooms 80 literally and thought
fully looked after. II has grown TO be SO neces-
sary q part OF tho business OF saloon keeper
that the smallest places havo iroo lunches o, a
size and quality that ara always surprising to
visitors from other cities.
This feature OF the business" said gray.
haired bartender yesterday referring to the
free lunches. has grown beyond oil limits
and many saloons here ind that they will have
to retrench. Look at u.s. for instance. We
served lunch Yesterday that cost $3.50 not
ms stands Tor the price Of nearly $50 drinks
at at ten ten or fifteen cents Hriece, Well. you can
was WSys SY,vsa. 81. But we've got to do it.
Because every one clse does IT,"
a great many OF the saloons hero nre owned
by, arlstocratic Southerners who would con-
slider II disgrace to have their names associ-
ated with the business. They take the money
pay their bartenders moderate salaries. No
Ss,IG one knows that thoy arc interested. and the
waiting on u casual customer or his smpioyer
Ihere Is little man win bead-like eyes and
Eo-between or the middlenan IN the business
affairs OF such saloons. llo has proved him.
self very reticent and trustworthy. and is max.
ioa mustn't min nina ii il talk business with
you" he said br!sk.y when the writer met him
here. I've been in New Orleans ten years try.
In. TO accumulate enough money to, move
time l have represented a number Of aristo-
cratic Southern gentlemen in this business.
isiactory. The aristocratic residents OF New
Orleans are very tsnd der about having 1t known
dssrsey dhas ,hey are Sehind LIQUOR stores and n
The restaurant keepers complain OF tho free
for the MONDAY meal and d. their r"t tMD.s 'uv are
lonely. while the crowds surge around the bar-
rooms. The most striking thing about It all is
to see the sort OF men who patronizs the free
lunch; DiYnliled and weil-drsssed men. gray.
until the luncheon Is announced ut noon. Then
they tuck napkins under their chins and 20 to
work; work There ls nothing dindent Q, retiring
walk in with careless and nonchalant air and
look Win a casual interest at tho pictures
SAUSAGE win the near hand. He doesn't as
sumo the free. easy. and joviai mien that is
nun. very rarely met with IN the North. who
takes a drink before attacking the lunch. is
sleeves stand side by side With Office boys. gam.
piers ana local swelis. and there l. no convcr-
dsaSor :" nnt ma slnr. nn1 er.sS en-
Bile ~ given length OF time 1t L. on rscord in
the barroom OF the st. Charles Hnte that a
large. portIy. and Prosperous looking man,
whose waistcoat was adorned with several go d
chains. walked in about noon and put hg
chains. Then he took some veal stew. two
slices Of rare roast beef win mashed potatoes
cheese and crackers. Then he looked at one of
the hard working attendants and growIed:
Say. Niger bring me- Il cup OF black coffee"
Then the arHs man leaned against II vi lar
and ate q plate OF olives while he waited 'or his
coffee. AS 1t did not appear he wal. ed over to
the bartender. after spreading. u sandwich with
mustard to carry him through and repeated
the demand. The man behind the bar said
they diint I serve coffee with the lunch.
You don't ?" said the large man, speaking
thickiy tn rough heavy emotion AMI tho sanI-
wch; wet. I'm blessed If that don't knock
me- silly. Noc"offee3 What kind Of place is
Then he called down the wrath Of all his an
cestors on the house. and ind gnantIy departed
without sper ding q cent for drink.
Before loaG. said the idle barkceper "a he
Ga2ed at the hungry crowd in front Of MIN,
well hnva to give away billiard tables and
pianos with he b"er to get people to drink"
Nearly all the saloons have regular bills OF
fare for every day in the week. with specially
elaborate one for Sunday.
A sample OF what tine free unchers get is
furnished by the following list Of ishes in
saloon by no means prstentious and not par
ticularly prosperous in appearances.
Monday-Gumbo soup. roast beef. beef
stewed with potatoes. stewed kidney. baked
mAcaroni. corn tonat toes. lettuce. green onions.
sweet potatoas. bsets. cold slRw.
TuesdAy-Pea soup. dry hash. roast beef
stewed liver fish chowder. boiled shrimps,
baked beans boi"d rice.
Yet. though the native OF New Orleans for
namboyant and cheerful alacrity in taking the
free lunch, elicits the adm ration Of all visit
ors the New Workers. after their first at
tempts succeed In holding their own.