The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-01-14
LADIES WHO LOVE LIQUOR.
WOMEN WHO DRINK WHILE SHOP
PING III NEw YORK.
Attachments to Drinking Saloons for
the Special Benefit of Feminine
Viunlers-Vhaf n "a ".

WHO DR1NK WHILE 6hOF-
PING III NEW YORK.
Attachments to Drinking Saloons for
the Special Benefit of Feminine
Tfpplers-What a Reporter saw.
The New York SIM SAYS that passing
through the storm doors at the side en-
trance of a Sixth avenue drinking saloon,
one enters a short passage, or vcstlbulc,
with q small door at the side bearing the
legend, "Gcntlemen, unaccompanlcd by
ladies, not admitted" This reversal of
the customary warning to ladies unac-
companied by gentlemen is explained by
a glance into the cosily-furnished apart
mcnt into which the small door opens,
especially during shopping hours: The
interior is connected with the adjoining
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
tie mahogany tables, with their glasses
before them, while some are indulging
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 a 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
recent purchases, and others with no
such indication that their presence in
the drinking den is incidental rather
than premeditated.
AS a San reporter recently entered one
of these retreats, duly chaperoncd, there
was a subdued hum of conversation like
the soft murmur of a summer hive at
noon. \ white-aproned waiter Of obse-
quious dcmeanor, who had entered by a
ground glass pancled door from the adj
Joining saloon, was taking the orders of
a group of three ladies who had just ap-
propriated one of the tables. Of q dozen
or more others who were discussing bev-
erages around them, n was enjoying
a plate of Swiss cheese and another a
sardine sandwich, and three young ladies
in expensive sealskins and towering hat
plumage were lazily smoking cigarettes
over d~elicately looking compounds that
were airily suggestive of q vinous or al
coholic base. 1t was late in the after
noon.
81 must really be going now, dears."
said one of a party of three, reluctantly
rising, after finishing her beer and gath
ering 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"
sStay for one more" urged one of her
companions. "lo on gave, now, the holiday
displays and the consequent crush in the
stores as an excuse for late shopping, you
know"
"No. 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 W me a
visit"
There was a little ripple of regrets and
adieuX rs she tore herself away.
Then the solitary occupant of a table
in the remotest corner, whom the re-
porter had not Heretofore noticed-a
very pretty young woman in mourning,
but with feverishly flushed checks and
sparkling eyes-signaled the attendant
to her side and ordered ga little more
whisky and settler" in a low, musical
voice.
"I'd hate to be married and have to
hurry home OF a regulation hour, like a
slave" observed one of the cigarette
smokers. in comment upon the lady who
had taken her departure in response to
duty's small voice.
$50 would l." said the younger of
her companions. "Papa rarely asks Inc
where 1 have been when I get home late.
If he does, I've always a purchase or two
as an explanation, and he drinks so much
himself when down town that he can't
discover anything in my breath when I
kiss him."
"You should both rather wish to be
married, as | am, to a man who is not
over-inouisitivc," said the third, with a
complacent smile. "Iarry 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
rustic of skirts, mingled with everyday
small talk and comments upon the refresh.
ments produced. During n of the
most bustling of these changes the pretty
young woman in mourning furtively re-
peated 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.
II 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 l 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 grandchild. The two attractive
women, with their heads together while
imbibing something or other through
straws, are likewise nearly always
together and I think the plumpcr and
more stylish of the two is the young wife
of an old and very rich broker, who doubt
less imagines her wholly engrossed with
all 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.,
and l think she must be the oldest and
Steadicst frcquenter of this retreat. |
take it she is now q widow by reason of
the weeds she wear so becomingly, al
though a year or more ago, when first
remarked her here, she was invariably
accompanied by her husband, something
of a swell, and a we'll. known man about
town. And then she drank nothing but
champagne, which he paid for carelcssly
enough, though partaking but sparingly
himself. Now her fortune seems to have
undergone a decided change. BY the
way, did you notice the hesitancy with
which the waiter filled the last order?
did. 1t was slight, but unmistakablc."
There was scarcely q vacant seat at
the little tables as the reporter and his
companion took their departure. and the
pretty widow, purse in hand appeared to
be holding a ~half.smiling, low.voiccd
argument with the white-aproned atten-
dant, who had just taken up her glass
and was reluctantly considering the pro-
pricty of its replenishment.
Subsequently one of the proprictors of
the saloon was questioned by the re-
porter.
''Thcre are twelve or fifteen saloons
with side accommodations for lady tip
piers, like ours, on this avenue, bctw cen
Tenth and Thirty-second streets, and
then there are others scattered all over
up town according to the demand. In
fact, without the ladies' room attachment
our afternoon trade would be apt to go
a.bcgging. Yes, they come at night,
too, but we're mighty circumspect whom
we admit after dark, and wonld sooner
they would come at such times under
escort. But taken altogether, ladies'
custom is very desirable. With hardly