The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-02-02
GIRLS EAT HAPPILY.
inexpensive Meals for Young Women
Who Work Hard.
HOT MEALS FOR 20 CENTS.
A Unique Restaurant I'm n Busy Portion
Of New York City-An Unpretentious
Place That Has for Its Customers a
Large Number Of Working Girls.


street we'll worn stairs lead to room
where Mrs. Smith gives a hot meal 70
twenty cents. No outer sign above or be
low indicates anything to minister to innel
comfort, but the odor of cabbage is ap
parent at times in manner TOO strong Il
be really prepossessing. The room occu
pies the whole floor of what evidently hao
been large loft. Half of the front OF th'
room is divided Oft by light partition
that misses the ceiling by several feet. Tn,
other half, carpeted with Brussels carpet
has an easy chair, several rockers and
other chairs.
The back part of the room is separated
by an apology for partition that does not
pretend TO hide from view the high priestess
OF the establishment, Mrs. Smith, who L.
busy generally preparing vegetables, cook
ing or talking 10 some of her girls" al
four tables in the center Of the room and
another table that encroaches on the sacred
precinct of the kitchen in the demand for
more room.
"You must just help yourselves here" a
rosy checked young woman remarked to
newcomer. II always go out in the kitch
en- myself and get my hot plate and help
myself to the meat and vegetables l like
best"
She called little girl however. to wait
at the table, and from the choice Of steak
and corned beef the latter was chosen. All
helped themselves literally TO some apple
sauce and mealy white potatoes that con
trasted very favorably with the same veg
etables that are served in more pretentious
restaurants.
81 wonder if could have some hot cab
bage"
"Oh, yes" the young woman replied.
"Fll get it myself"
In spite of remonstrance she returned
with a straining dish, the odor Of which
was not so disagreeable after all. or course
almost everybody had piece of Mrs
Smiths genuine homemade mince pie.
with cup of tea or coffee.
On the tables was an unusual collection
Of napkin rings. A pretty straw ring, a
wooden one, and another were considera
bly, the worse for wear.
I'VE bring our own rings and then we
are sure TO have the same napkins every
time" was the explanation.
Don't you have fresh napkins every
dayP"
swell, you might not II you didn't know
where the clean ones are kept. but we have
our rings and put the napkins away in the
drawer and no one touches them You
don't mind using your own napkin more
than once"
81 thought il very funny the first day |
came, but the second time went right
out in the kitchen and waited on myself,
as l do now, and come all the time Gus
brought me here"
Gus Is the owner of the pretty straw
ring, and is very pretty, with soft brown
hair and eyes, oval face and dainty mouth
that closed over nearly perfect teeth.
The most refreshing part Of the meal Is
paying the bill. Mrs. Smiths method does
credit to her heart and good faith in won
ankind, but it would not recommend itself
to the average business man. Luncheons
for the week are one dollar (kcpt account
of by the girls and paid for when they see
fit), or twenty cents for n single meal Mrs
Smith couldn't change a five dollar note
for the newcomer "Oh. never mind. You
can pay 1t when you come again"
On another visit the scene was different.
The tables had been cleared, but Mrs
Smith was equal to the occasion. In few
minutes plates, knives aud forks had been
laid. tea had been made and fish cakes in n
spider on q gas stove gave out an appe
tizing odor.
Mrs. Smith is a remarkably pleasant
woman to look at-plump and pretty, with
wavy hair that is growing becomingly
white. She Is bright and motherly. Her
husband is the janitor Of an Office building
in Broadway, and the family live there
Six years ago young woman who was
employed In an Office in the building and
visited Mrs. Smiths rooms occasionally
after much coaxing persuaded Mrs Smith
to give her hot luncheon at noon. Soon
afterward the mother of another young
woman inquired II Mrs. Smith would make
for her delicate daughter a cup of hot tea
at noon. Others coaxed one after another.
One girl who was telegraph operator
wired to a friend in another building.
why don't you come up TO Mrs. Smiths
to luncheonf"
Does she have picklesp was the query.
eyes"
"Well, I'll come"
Within a year forty girls went to Mrs.
Smiths room for luncheon, but in the
course of time the owner Of the building
refused pleasantly but firmly to have forty
girls use its elevators just at the noon
hour. Mrs Smith was told that she might
have few girls, but serving forty was
stretching the point.
(which ones shall tell to leave?" she
asked despairingly, Then she said des
perately, IN keep them ALL"
New quarters were rented In Cedar
street, and afterward in Greenwich street
The girls did not lose a single meal during
the movir '"n Girl has told another.