The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-07
FREE MEALS.
A Brokers' Search for Castro.
nOmical Assistance.
Destitute Gentlemen of Good Appearance
Readily Relieved = Good Clothes
Are Sine Qua Non.

SuppOSlnR lDaI you were Hat pToke-
hadn't nickel, in fact; that you were a
total stranger in the city; hadn't thing
you could pawn and were excessively
hungry, how would you 60 about it to get a
meal outside of begging or applying at the
City PRISON." said a well-known broker to
a friend in the Merchants Exchange the
other day.
"If were well dressed and neatly fixed
up, think I'd have no difficulty in getting
all needed" was the reply.
Well" said the originator Of the idea,
I" I'll bet you a new hat that you can get
more refuSals than assents to your requests
for meal, taking the local eating houses
just as they come. OF course, you must not
go where you are known, for they would
readily credit you. You will, however, not
have much trouble about that, for since
your marriage, five years ago, you've not
been around much. So. if you like. the bet
goes"
Very we'll, it's bet," was the reply.
Z" I'll make a tour this afternoon and re-
port progress tomorrow"
IN SEARCH OF A MEAL,
The next day the parties to the bet met
and the searcher for a free meal gave the
following account of his adventures:
''When left you l was what may be
called very well dressed in a dark suit of
the latest cut and looked, if l may say so,
quite the dude. First got shaved and took
off my watch and chain. ring and scarf-pin,
and keeping my tan-colored gloves in my
han d tackled the first place | came to, one
of the leading hotels, where drinks are
two bits with an excellent free lunch
thrown in. Cautiously approaching the
white-c0ated cocktail artist | told him in
my most polite manner my tale OF woe,
about 5being stranger, very hardup aud
exceedingly hungry. Casting quick glance
over me he placed a glass before me and
whispered softly: That's all right, sir.
Whatllt beY a glass of ale, please | re-
piled, and at once the glass was filed. ate
hearty lunch and returning to the bar
handed the charitable Samaritan dollar,
saying that. [ had only made trial
of his generosity. He looked hard at
ME as he returned me my change
and said again, Its all right, sir l asked
him what he would have said if had been
poorly dressed and dirty? Refused you,
sir. | can size a gentleman up at once and
can feel for one that is in q tight place.
Dead beats and bummerS can't work their
racket here, I'll give you pointer l had
only gained a meal by my respectable APP
pearance, that was clear.
BUSTED DUDES NOT WANTED.
81 next entered big beer saloon on Bush
street and repeated to one of theiI bar-keep
ers my request for something TO eat and
drink. He was a big, strapping man, with
a heavy black muStache and in hrst-claSS
fighting trim. We're not beering up no
busted dudes for nothing You'd better
travel, young fellow said he, with an Oplln-
Gus scowl. l travelled.
Next | entered the most fashionable
restaurant on kearny street and stated my
0as m 10 LODI fhn tod nv
the cash drawer and played sonatas and
barcarOlleS on its keys as the money came
IN. Sorry to refuse you, sir, said she,
but l am not allowed to give credit to any
one except our regular customers. These
are my orders from the proprietor. If you
are really very hungry though l could give
you 10 cents from my own purse, II you will
accept it
"ClOthes again, l thought, though not
quite as big as at the other place. [ thanked
her, and, telling her l was only making an
experiment. took out a So gold piece aud
asked her to change it, She did so with
some surprise and made my exit.
a little farther down the street | went
into a coffee-salonn and asked for meal as
per formula. We'll. sir, we are hardly
doing business on those terms said the
waiter, but guess it'll be all right. What'll
you have? He looked somewhat surprised
when | told him | was trying TO ascertain
the amount Of real charity in the world and
was amply able to pay my way.
TREATED LIKE a PRINCE.
My next trial was at the largest and
SWEETEST French restaurant in the city. l
went into one of the private rooms and
asked the polite waiter if l could see the
and listened to me patiently. Have you
ever been here before% he asked. 1t is
not our custom to extend credit to total
strangers. We very seldom have such
requests, but l do not like to refuse
food to a hungry man. I'll send the
waiter in to you to take your order
With as much pOlitenesS and assjduity as
if were millionaire my order was taken.
| ordered tenderloin, Chateau BRAND with
mushrooms, an Omeiette souffle, RoquefoTt
cheese, black coffee and bottle of Sau-
terne, 1t was served i'll the best style, and
when had finished the waiter brought me
q finger bowl set in a silver holder, and in
fact treated me as if l were a prince of the
blood and had just tipped him So. Calling
for my bill | went to the prOprietor's Office
and settled the account, at the same time
telling him | was making experiments in
human charity. Elevating his eyebrows
and Struggling his shoulders in a truly
typical French way, he murmured to him
self, 'Qu'iiS s0nt drOles ces, Americans! |
asked him how many similar requests were
made him. Very few; in fact, none.
While not an often occurrence it sometimes
happens that people come in here aud order
a service. Then they find they have no
money. What do we do then? Well that
depends. If they look like beats or swim
dlers they are sometimes violently elected,
though We are very averse to doing so, as
the row and fuss hurt the business. We
generally grin and bear it and keep sharp
lookout for those who have swinded us.
Yes, we are, l believe, justified under the
law in having the parties arrested for de-
frauding all inn-keeper. but we do not care
Tor the notOriety. Anyhow. but few broken
men would care 10 come to such Il place as
this
NO CREDIT"
81 next tried big restaurant on the
three for two plan, making my request
CT the cashier before taking seat. While
the handlers of The coin we're very polite
they refused Inc because their orders ON the
subject were very strict. No credit was
their motto.
II then thought L would try one of the
leading hotels and spoke my little speech to
His method was quite summary and to the
point. Pulling the gong he called out,
Front show this person the door
AT another swell carayanSary the clerk
was most genial. Sorry, my boy said he.
but can't do it. I'd have 10 pay it out of
dollar All meals are charged against the
register-liSt and we have to account for
them all. But Pl tell you what l will do;
come and take drink with me at the bar
and you can fill up on the free
take cigar with me as was only testing
his stock Of charity. He didn't seem bit
annoyed when l displayed gold to pay for
the weeds. 1t takes good deal to phase
hotel clerk. He probably thought me
crank, but hotel clerks meet so many of the
breed that one more did not count with him.
PORK AND BEANS.
For the last trip went to the market
and again spoke my little piece to the pro-
prletor of All eating stand. Give him some
pork and beans and cupof coffee. Young
man, you can have this much, but don't try
it again here. L have my living to make
also and cannot feed everybody Free
Again l had to confess myself simply
student of life and manners. Never mind
those pork and beans was all he said in
reply and took my departure.
sgIhara'e NV ranorf What 1n ynu think