St. Paul daily globe., 1890-02-02

all unconscious that anybody can hear
their remarks. The walters that look
so grave and polite must see enough
queer phases of life to make interesting
reading in cold type. But it's part of
their business not to talk. The number
of the lunch counter in this city is le-
gion, and good lunches most of them
serve. l know, because ] tried some of
tleIp. am uuly sorry, and wont do it
again. Without any intention of vio-
lating gconyentionalities, walked up to
a lunch counter, climbed on high
stool, removed my gloves and
cakes and coffee for which the
place has reputation. The
waiter stared. Then the rest of the
people ranged along the counter fol-
lowed his example. Then they smiled.
Being neither young nor pretty [
couldn't well conStrue such attention as
a compliment. To get angry would
make the tip of my nose red, and spoil
myappetite. l tried to look dignified,
and don't think the effort was success.
The cashier kindly explained s'That
LADIES' don't often come here; we have
no tables. and the lunch counter is only
patronized by men," | went and asked
my friends about it, and they all
a
woman TO sit on high stool and take
lunch. Wonder why? If you are a
bookkeeper it is quite proper to sit on
high stool at your work, while on either
side and all about you are the masculine
clerks. It's one of our glorious privil-
egeS as wage-workers and women to
work side by side with men in the
store, to mingle with them on equal
terms on the streets, at church, the
theater or other places of amusement.
and why not at the lunch counter? l
don't know why, nor does anybody else.
but Mrs. Grundy says l mustn't, and
that settles it.
The common. everyday restaurant
where the crockery is heavy and multi
ated as if it had been used for target
practice, the alleged silverware and
napkins are indelibly stamped with the
owners initials, though don't see how
anybody could be tempted to carry them
away. he waiter is often uniyer-
slty student earning his expenses by
serving the hungry public. His su-
Derlor education perhaps accounts for
the ease with which he forgets your
order, and supplies you with something
entirely different. He is SupersenSitiye
and corrects the mistakes with an in
Jured but resigned expression which
makes you feel like an unreasoning
tyrant. Some walters are to the
manor BORN" and no person who
wants to live to hale old age will at
tempt to resist the decree of one from
this class. Like poor Lo, he never for
gets an insult, and will some day feed
you meal which will make you repent
ever having grumbled at an ordinary
mistake. But he may perhaps be par
doned for some sins, for he works an
average of twelve hours a day, and is
lucky if earning $40 week.
The country people seem to be the
legitimate prey of the restaurant. and
one wonders why; because they are
easily pleased and never grumble. On
the contrary they even say please
and ''yeS, SIR to the attendants, but we
all ridicule them just the same.
Some people seem to be able to exist
upon thin air, varied by an occasional
roll and cup of coffee. L envy them.
Their pocketbooks may be lean and
hungry, but they trouble not. for a
meal ticket will last them months in
stead of just week, as mine does. The
plump and rosy young woman of this
typeiwill study bill of fare for at least
fifteen minutes. then family calculate,
Only rolls and coffee" l know at
least score, who, seemingly,
never eat airy more and they
look so plump and healthy. |
think they could rival DR.. Tanner
If they wanted to try. But gentle
man friend of mine assures me that
these same girls can eat an after theater
supper which is sharp contrast to
their everyday meal. This i-s''-,7 -