Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-09-09
A NOTED PARTISAN CAFE.
A Pretty Lively Nights Experience
or an Anasrican.

-
or an Aasrican.
[Corrospondonce Of the Richmond Dispstch.]
New YoaK, sepanber 8, 1883.
I was very much interested in the most
notable of Partisan restaurants. the
Cafe do 10 Paix. 1t has been the scene
OF so many sensational encounters that
its fame 10 wide. 1t stands at the juno
ton OF two OF the greatest thoroughfAres
in the town, and night in the very heart
OF the wickedest city in the world. The
Cafe de la Paix remains open when
everything else is closed. The lower
floor is a long series OF dining
opening into one another and ex-
tending out on the broad sidewalk.
II is upstairs that the fun and
frivolity occur. The place is never
closed, and the waters are az fresh and
aniable at 6 in tho morning as they are
at 6 at night. The upper stories are
divided into supper-rooms OF various
sizes, fitted in white and gold, and
adorned by enormous mirrors. The
chairs are big, roomy, well-eushloned,
and comfortable. and the service excel
lent More scandals have emanated from
the place than from any other similar re-
sort in Paris, for it enbodies all that IS
reckless in the fads of the FOUNDERS 40
make Paris such bowling success IN the
world OF vice.
AN RsoAPADE.
II would be interesting to analyze tie
different supper parties that are held
there in single night. remember on
one occasion havirg glimpse OF three Of
them, and the composition OF oil was
certainly odd. l had gone there with
some Americans after the opera ball.
Our party consisted of two EngliShmen,
one a man Of title, the other q stock
broker, an American politician of soue
eminence. two ladies who had never
seen Paris before, but who were anxious
to have look at its night size, and my
self.
An unfortunate row occurred between
the Englishman and the politician at the
beginning of the supper, but they were
soon quoted, and WAS pulled into the
other room on the breaking up OF the
party. babe the others good night and
went in TO see some old friends. They
were both Americans whom had known
iora great many years, and they had been
away from New York fourteen months
making a tour OF the world. On their
way back they had delivered letters to
People whom they knew in Pans, and, as
they we're both clever and amusing New
York men, French people took them up.
They bad the wives Of two men OF de-
cided AMI unqualified distinction in the
world Of politics and diplomacy at sup
per at one of the most notorious cares
IN Paris. and they were all in that bliss
full condition where they did not care a
rap what happened. Fortunately nothing
did happen, but it WAS an escapade that
would have startled the most reckless of
Parisians, 40 great were the risks that
the qusrtette ran.
WHooPISG THINGS Up.
They whooped things up to such a
hilarious extent that when they began to
sing the voice of one of the men was re-
coenizod in the adjoining room, and a
little Cuban. whom ve had all known IN
New York. stuck his head In the door
and Rugged everybody with delight at
the reunion.
Then my four friends went off in mys-
FERROUS cabs, and / went IN with the Gu
ban to have a final night-csp. There
were Six or eight people in the adjoining
room, and one OF them, gorgeously-
attired and opulently-beautiful French
woman, was pounding the piano with a
degree Of viGor that threatened the I'M
mediate destruction of that instrument
The men were military, and, Ike oil
Frenchmen, exceedingly polite.
felt that WAS an INTRUDER, for l was
the only foreigner present but it was
impossible to get away bcfore O'Clock,
and when / left / observed that. though
nothing had been sud indicating that
people were there who had no right to be
present, the modes OF departure were
siDgularly stealthy and crafty. The
women seemed to disappear, lowering
along under the guidance of waters,
while the men shook hands and then
drifted unconcernedly apart, leaving the
place by different doorwsya
The sudden appearance OF a handful Of
husbands and fathers at the Cafe de Ia
Pax any night in the year would mean
n scrimmage OF no mean proportions.
Perhaps that is the reason why the place
is SO popular. BLAKELY HALL.