Savannah morning news., 1886-06-10
aREvonUrIoNINB BARKEEPERs
The Mental Training Required of
knights of the Teddy Stick.
From the Neq1 York sun

From the Nea0 York Sun.
"An unpleasant subject, yes, but a
Grand picture nevertheless" commented
o Gentleman leaning against the bar of a
Broadway saloon and contemplating Ben.
iamin Constants great painting OF ''The
Judgment OF the Sheereef." "The wealth
Of its COLOR" he went on, "rsminds me
of the work of-oh, what's his name p
the painter of Choosing the Model"
"Fortuny," responded promptly anC
laconically the sedate Darkeeper, 10 whom
tne question had been addressed.
Yes, Fortuny; that's it. Thank you.
never can remember names."
The gentleman continued discussing
with a friend the great canvas before
them, and again and again the sedate bar
keeper was called upon by one or the
other 10 remember name or state a fact
mat was IN doubt or question. He always
answered promptly, without ceasing to
NIX drinks, supplying as required the
names OF Jerome, BOugoureau, Cabanel,
and Makart, and was even led to speak OF
the most characteristic works CT each,
with a somewhat critical analysis of their
preferences OF subjects ana modes of treat
ment.
That gin-jerker seems to know lot
about picUures," calculated one of the
visitors as they LETT the saloon.
"Why shouldn't he? 1t is his business,
so long as he tends bar where a big pic.
ture constantly stirs talk on the subject.
If he were in place irequented by politi-
clans he would be expected to know all
about the contest in the Twelfth district
and who Mike O'TOole's principal heelers
are, and what the deal was between the
Democratic halls and the Republi-
VhQfnUnr nICn paiuht hn
getting up ferment among his
patrons. Aud if he happened to be
in base ball atmosphere, he would be
expected to know about the leading
pitchers and catchers, and the games
past, present and.tO come all over the
land. That his information about slug
gers and their deeds would have to be
vast and varied if he served in a sporting
house goes without saying. The bar
keeper of to-day has to be well informed
on all topics likely to interest his patrons
to the extent of being subjects for discus
sions and BETS"
The requirements thus stated being re-
ferred to the proprietor of a large and
popular uptown place of resort for the
bibulously inclined, he replied:
Yes, that Is true. 1t is not enough for
a barkeeper to-day to be good judge of
liquors and skilfull in the compounding
OF fancy drinks. That, and that he should
be clean, neat in his attire, measurably
honest, of pleasant address, and have q
good memory for the faces and preferences
Of customers, about filled the bill for all
that was demanded of first-class bar
keeper when l was young. Then came
the era of diamonds, gorgeous apparel,
and familiarity. Now the style in the
best places is altogether the quiet. If a
barkeeper-t1at is, one who has any style
or tone about him-wears diamond at
all, it must be a very small and pure
stone. And he is better without any. 1t
is no longer good form for him to hail
recognized customers with the IA
miliarity of former times, but he
must have keen personal remem-
brance of them all the same
and reply TO their salutatious with the
dignitied grace and ease of polished
gentleman. And his CHEEKY shout OF
'One with me now, gentlemenp or Take
something with the hOuseo is heard no
more. If anything OF that sort IS to be
done, the proprietor is considered strong
enough to do it himself. The check ma
chine, and the teAegraphic indicator, aud
tbe cashier have chilled the noble ardor
Of the barkeeper's hospitality. Possibly,
too, those repressive influences have
something to do with the diminished size
Of the diamonds, ana make it easier for
him to preserve the subdued air that
fashion now requires of him, But it is of
the utmost Importance, fully as much as
that he shall have a complete knowledge
Of mixed drinks, that he shall be we'll in
formed and able to give an authoritative
decision on most Of the things that men
are likely to get into a jaw about in a bar
room.
''Ot course, one man cannot be expected,
-, I....I 10.
encyclopedia and a political history and
q biographical dictionary and turf guide
and Hoyle and an art critic and a theo-
logical sharp and lots more things. But,
if you will take notice, you will ind that
Rgreat many of our best places-almOst
aid of them, indeed-haYe special lines of
customers, people who have common in
terests and talk about the same class of
subjects. When a new man comes to
work in place that has a distinctive
character of patronage, if it is something
new 10 him, he has TO go right to work and
post himself. or course the proprietor pre-
fers man who is already posted, but if he
cannot get such one he does the next
best thing, and the man has to jump into
the requisite special education. Some
times he does il by studying books in his
OIL time. Occasionally one goes to an old
fellow some where up town who adVer-
tises Tuition for adults of neglected edu-
cation and has knowledge pumped into
him almost by steam.
"Vhen this art craze sprang up and all
the Dig places began buying costly pic
turei, good many OF the boys got their
necessary points from little trenchman
Whoused to go about selling and rafting
OH lanel copies, very decent ones. too, Of
tamus French pictures and other works
Of irt. He was well up on pictures, and
a smart barkeeper in an hours talk with
hln'could get lots of valuable points. 1t
is rot necessary that the barkeeper shall
haze profound knowledge and mighty
NEGLECT to back It.. He wants to know
enough to be pretty sure OF not making
l0l OF himself, and to be prudent enough
MT to go beyond his depth. Then, If he can
lst look wise, and be m0destly retcent,
IS If shy OF contradicting anybody
yhen he finds the water getting
leep for MIN, and speak with decision
Nnen he is sure he can touch bottom, he
VII get along all right. In the course Of
a little slime, by listening to the conversa-
uons OF really solidly informed men before
ihe bar, he Will pick up great deal, and
by a Judicious use OF what he learns IN
that way, bringing It out only on call, and
never going beyond his depth by an argu-
ment, he will get the reputation OF being
wonderfully well-infOrmed man, who, II
lepniy were not behind bar and could
leel himself at liberty to speak out, would
ast0nish you. Suppose h. is called on TO
lecide bet, even IL he knows nothing on
.he subject, at the worst he mas one chance
IN TWO OF being right, whichever way he
eoes. Don't understand me as saying
slat all barkeepers have superficial