The evening world., 1890-07-26
ON BOARD 4 DIHIAG-CAR.
How the Walters Fare in Theoe
Hotels on Wheels"
Keen Observers OF Human Nature
and Can Always Tell = Bride
and Groom.
A brief journey in a dining. car ia appre-

A brief journey in q dining car ia appre-
ciated by almost all persons who travel.
II is, Of course. taken for granted that
they have the wherewithal " to pay for
the Rratif cation Of the palate. While
dining, the eyes wander anon to the ever
changing scenery as the train speeds
along, thus feeding the mind at the same
time. One becomes conscious of the fact
that he il In q veritable hotel on wheels.
Walters hurry hither and thither, the
car conductor and his assistant watch
with eager eyes to detect q fault in the
waters work. and through q little window
opening into the kitchen many sable faces
topped of by pure white linen caps
can be seen. The dinipg-car con-
tains subiect-matter for a days study,
An Etening Netoa reporter recently
wandered into the Rock Island pasSen.
ger yard, where o great many = diners
are kept. Here they are proyisioned and
made up into the through trains. Groups
of colored men could be seen sitting
within the cars. 1t did not take long to
become acquainted with the dining-car
men. as they are q most genial class OF
fellows. 49,
Want ter know sumpin bout our life
in de feed cab, Ell ?" asked O big colored
cook. who wore o watch-chain that
nung in ten loops over the broad expanse
of his shirt bosom. We'll, yoh can't
do better than AK Luther Grant a few
questions. He lone bin o secretary toh
one ob dose trabbeling newspaper-msn.
AN hez bin on de road fob some yeabs."
Luther Grant, the individual men-
toned, was q tall mulatto. whose features
expressed considerable refinement. He
had long since ceased to gamble and
"spoht" aa most OF his companions do.
II can tell you about our life in the
kitchen, Mr.. Reporter. but II you want
the real romance you will have to talk
to the gentlemen who brush crumbs into
your lap and snatch fees before the back
sheesh Is out of your pocket.
I'VE have our regular runs. One crew
10 assigned to each diner. which goes q
certain distance OH one train II then ID
out out to return on another. This con-
s~titutes q trip. We make SO many trips
co%nsecutively: then we lay on for q few
days. The railroad steward provisions
zach car. We cook about the same az
they do in the hotels and have nearly oil
the modern appliances and utensils
People are familiar with the important
looking person with q silk skull cap. who
walks through the train announcing that
:" dinner IN now ready in the dining-car.
Pass through to the rear" He is not near
M noticeable M the waiter. The latter is
the person who learns to read human
nature SO we'll that he can tell how many
postage-stamps ere stuck to the lining Of
your pocket book.
Note how tenderly he arranRes the sill
verwnre and how he bluffs young mar
RED couples who desire to sit beside each
other. Except In tases Of emergency the
d~ining-car officials request gentlemen to
sit opposite their female companions.
| u1u, nanu atNn. nv Rnn,Nlaa hava hann
| rorced to eat their ice-cream with two
spoons because Of this order!
IF they don't like the order of
things," laconically remarked o waiter.
as he melted . section Of q steal rail by
directing the rays frep his 2Gcent
love and lunch upon scenery.
How can / tell q couple on their
bridal tripY Why that 10 easier than
playing policy. In the first place. the
caller generally leads them into the car.
Then he always walks first. aud I tell you
only goes for those who have not been
used to living in big hotels. After We get
'em rested they examine everything on
the table, especially the silysrware, and
the lady takes notes for her next shopping
tour. hand them q menu card. Then
the fun begins. He tips me before he
orders, and, wipinR the blusnes of with
| his napkin, asks her what abe will have.
",Oh, I amt hungry, George she
usually says.
"'Thsn let me have u piece Of beef
steak and cup Of tea.
She. with a great display of superior
ity, replies that dinner Is be ing served, and
there are no such dishes on the card.
Fact is. she wants him to order. He
orders for two, and this is q fair sample
of the order: LATHE Neck CLANS. con
somms; baked red snapper, sliced tomA-
toes, compete Of apple with rice, boiled
chicken, cream sanoe; string beans,
spinach. green peas, caulifiower and
pineapple soTbet. The dessert course 10
then tackled. Gooseberry pie, straw
berry ice-eream and berries, fruit. cheese
sod coffee.
OF course he eats nearly all OF his
order, but she feigns loss Of appetite. but
invariably carries away a couple OF or
anges in her handkerchief. All OF the
boys practise their sweetest moves when
producers a. the new couples are
called, arrive.
I'VE have to be mighty particular in
waiting on prominent men. They are as
chAngeable in their order As my necktie.
You see. II va get to : taxing on their
orders, or attempting 10 fill ont with
dishes we thought they would Ielish. why,
they would kick hard enough 10 tip the
car. At the end OF the trip We would be
discharged. In no other dining-roOm, eI-
cept in the most exclusive clubs. does q
waiter have to be As particular with an
order"
A trade secret vas next impaired. after
which The walters strolled TO their rooms
after their grips and pAtent-leather shoes.
Most roadB allow their walters 10 carry
home scraps and fragments left by the
diners. This custom has led to a system
of double ordering" or getting more
than the guests order. and planting"
the extras in . grip. II Is the car conduc-
tors duty 70 check this procedure.
Waiting is Q heap better on 3 car than
in q hotel, " said one knight Of the platter
n the reporter left.