The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-24
A CITY ON A ROOF.
Bah SEES ROOF GARDEN LIFE IN
THE METROPOLIS.

\
New York-The Blase Young Woman
on the Public Roof-A Private Roof
Garden-Roof Life ofthe "Osher Half"
| Where One Glass Seeks Roof Life
| for Pleasure the Other Seeks 1t for
Existence-Types and Traits of the
Lower Classes Of Gotham-What is
Faith Without Works2
| CCopvri0ht)
New York, July 23.--People talk about
roof gardens as II they were new things,
and vet, who has not heard of the famous
| ones of Babylon, and who has not heard of
equally famous ones to be found in the
slums' You aud l, my friend, start out to
see all sorts and conditions We jump into
an elevator, go fving up into the air and
find ourselves in q place where there are
palm trees, pretty shrubbery, bright
| lights and many little tables, about
| which cluster gay groups Of poo
pie. In a convenient place for people
| 10 see is little stage. The sky is
above you, the stars are looking from out
| their dark blue background, as II they were
| to critlciSe exactly who waS there Who ia
there! Well there are husbands and wives
| who are tired out with the heat Of the day
! and believe that they can find some rest in
getting as close as possible to the moon;
| there are few young girls and their sweet
hearts, but most conspicuous Of all ia the
| type that is prevalent in New York, and
| who may we'll be called Mile. Gilt
edge, for there is no pure gold there, and
| even the gilt is thin.
THE STORY OF A COUNTRY GIRL.
| She Is pretty. she is young, and is well
! dressed. Diamonds glitter on every finger,
| aud to be eccentric she wears a thumb ring.
| formed of 6vs bands of precious stones.
| Her gown Is handsome, but the train ia q
| little longer than any other woman wears,
the skirt is fitted to accentuate her form,
the bodice is dTaped to give her as voluptu-
| Gus an air as possible, aud her large lace bat
| is placed on her head in way that, while it
| forms pretty background for her hair and
eyes, is a very loud one. About her are
! group of ten men. They all cali her by
| her first name, and all seem anxious to let
each paSserby know who the woman is they
| are talking to- Her name is famous or
notorious in the newspapers, for she has
| brought estrangement in families, she has
| ruined three or four young men, and she
has gained for herself a greater reputation
for spending money and drinking wine
than any girl in this big city, and she Is
| only ~ years old. Where does she como
1
| At 10
SHE CAME TO NEW YORK
| to study music, went on the stage as q oho-
rus girl with every good intention. and, for
| while-that Is, for q few months-lived a
good, honesu life Then her manager saw
her one day, saw the beautiful face,
saw the exquisite figure, and quick
ly promoted her. Then he gave her
some OF the pleasures of life. he took her
to drive, he took her on his yacht, he gave
her suppers, aud, well-end the story for
| yourself. One day there was girl all
alone, crying out for help, and no one 60
help her. Sorrow did not soften her, 1t made
her bad, and to-day she simply lives to have q
| good time-thats what's she calls it-but, as
it is a succession Of afternoon breakfasts,
drives, dinners and dissipation, the goodness
of it may DO doubted. When she feels like
1t, she sings for week or 30. Any man-
eger will take her and pay her her price; for
although her voice Is beginning to show that
It's freshness Is gone, although she cannoS
act, yet the shrswd manager knows she can
fill house with men. That's Mile. Giltedge,
and she is tue type we find on the roof gar
den.
| The girl who comes out to do dance envies
her. The man who plays on the banjo gives
| her q knowing look. and waters rush along
cheerfullY to cater to her, because they
know she means money. Do you think you
| WOulu ChTo LOT your lO~JehE- Oiu uduBube W
| see Mile. GtitedRe, and question you
about here don't think you would. These
| young girls have way of asking questions
that are difficult to answer. and to some Of
them the giltedge looks like real gold and
in their own hearts come desires for fine
clothes and big diamonds like hers, aud
they don't realize that she is not pure gold,
but merely poor imitation.
QUIET ROOF GARDEN.
There is another kind of roof garden. It's
way uptown, and 1t ia arranged by the
mistress OF pretty little house, for the
benefit of herself aud her friends. Shs has
had a window in the back room cut down to
a doorway 30 tha5 she can walk right out
on the roof of the extension. Over this Is
stretched bright awning, so that all day
long the sun does not burn down on it, aud
at the sides are fanciful bamboo curtains,
that wave to and fro whenever
there is a breath OF air and which
are, at night, rolled up or down.
according to the temperature. On the
floor, or rather on the roof, are gay rugs;
there arc a couple Of hammocks. plenty of
essy chairs. cushions, 30 that one can
arrange low resting place for ones self,
aud some tables. laden with books and fans.
Here at night merry group met: q couple
of men who are famous because OF their
1 good acting; two or three more who have
delighted the world with their clever stories,
and witty fellow, who is a good musician
then there Is the hostess. q well-known
actress, and her sister; while there is gener-
ally a visiting woman. Smoking is per-
United, although it is not very much
INDUCED In.
PEOPLE TALK AS THEY FEEL
like It, aud about I0:30 the maid come with
a tray, on which is a cold salad, some deli
cate sandwiches, a pitcher OF claretcup and
one OF iced tea, and then everybody helps
himself. Sometimes it is l o'clock when
this interesting party separates, and the
men go away with q Thanksgiving that
they are invited to the house of so charm
ing woman; and the woman, besides be-
ing glad that she enjoys herself thinks how
much better of they are there than IL they
went where Mile. Giltedge reigns triumph
ant. She does not wear badge Of any soci-
ETY., does not this woman. She has not re-
solved TO reform the world, but she pro-
poses that the roof garden at home shall be
the most attractive place for her own hus-
band, and in doing this she unconsciously
spreads the good work and keeps from
temptation good many other men.
One does not need, my friend, to wear
badges or soarfs announcing what we are
going 70 try and do: one simply wants TO dc
IL, and, although the maxim about looking
out and not in, applies worry we'll In sonln