Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-07-28

4 New York, July 22.--People talk about
roof gardens us if they were new things,
and yet, 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 and I, my friend, start out to
see all sorts and conditions. We jump
Into an elevator, 60 flying up into the air,
and find ourselves in place where there
are palm trees, pretty shrubbery, bright
lights and many little tables, about which
cluster gay groups of people. In CON
venient place for people to see is a little
stage Tie sky Is above you the stars are
cooking from out their dark blue
background, as If they we're to criticise ex-
actly who was there. Who is 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 get
ting as close as possible to the moon; there
are few young girls and their sweet
hearts; but most conspicuous of all is the
type that is prevalent in New ork, aud
who may well be called Mamselle Giltedge,
eor there is no pure gold there, and even
he gilt is thin.
THE STORY OF A COUNTRY GIRL.
She is pretty, she is young and is well
dressed, Diamonds glitter oil every finger,
and to be eccentric she wears thumb ring,
formed of five bands of precious stones.
Her gown is handsome but the train IS
little longer than any other woman wears,
the skirt is fitted to accentnaie her form,
the bodice is draped to give her as voluptu-
Gus all air us possible, and her large lace
hat is placed on her head in way that,
while II forms pretty background for her
hair and eyes, is a very loud one. About
her are a group of 10 men. They all call
her by her first name, and all seem anxious
10 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 arrangements 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 10 years old Where does she come
from? From one of the smaller towns
at 10
SHE CAME TO NEW YORK
to study music, went on the stage as a
chorus girl with every good intention, and
for a whilc-that is, for u few months
lived good, honest life. Then her manager
saw her one day, saw her beautiful face
saw the exquisite figure, and quickly pro-
NOTED 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 sup
pers, and, well-end the story yourself
One day there was girl all alone, crying
out for help, and no one to help her. Sor-
row did not soften her il made her bad
and to-day she simply lives to have good
time-that's what she calls it--but. rs II
S succession of afternoon breakfasts,
irives, dinners and dissipation, the good
ness OF it may be doubted When she
feels like it, she sings for week or so.
Any manager Will take her and pay her
her price; for, although her voice is begin
ming to show that its freshness is gone,
although she cannot act yet the shrewd
manager knows she can fill house with
men. That's Mademoiselle Giltedge, and
she is the type. we find on the roof garden.
The girl who comes out to do dance
envies her. The man who plays on the
banjo gives her Il knowing look, and
walters rush along cheerfully to cater to
her, because they know she means money.
Do you think you would care for your
siXteen-ycars-old daughter to see Mademoi-
selle Giltedge, and question you about her?
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 real gold, and in
their own hearts come desires for fine
clothes and big diamonds like hers, and
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 it is arranged by the
mistress of pretty little house, for the
benefit of herself and her friends. She has
had window in the back room cIIt down
10 a doorway, so that she can walk right
out on the roof of the extension. Over
this is stretched bright awning, so that
all tie day long the sun does not burn
down on it, and at the sides are fanciful
bamboo curtains that wave to and fro
whenever there is Il breath of air. aud
which at night are rolled up or down, ac-
!orditsto the temperature. On the floor,
pr rather on the roof, are gay rugs: there
are a couple of hammocks, plenty of easy
chairs, cushions, so that one can arrange
Ow resting place for ones self, and some
tables. laden with books and fans Here
at night merry group meet; couple of
men who are famous because of their good
acting; two or three more who have de-
lighted the world with their clever stories,
and witty fellow, WHO'S good musician
then there is the hostess, Il well-known
actress, and her sister, while there is gener-
ally visiting woman. Smoking is per-
united, although it is not very much in
dulged in.
PEOPLE TALK AS THEY FEEL
like it, and about half past 10 the maid
comes with tray, OH which is a cold
salad, some delicate sandwiches a pitcher
of claret cup and one Of iced tea, and then
everybody helps himself. Sometimes it is
O'Clock when This interesting party
separate, and the men 70 away with a
thanksgiving that they are invited to the
house OF SO charming woman; and the
woman, besides being glad that she enjoys
are there than If they went where
9lademoiselle Giltedge reigns triumphant.
She does not wear Il badge of any society,
does not this woman. She has not re-
solved to reform the world, but she pro-
poses that the roof garden at home snail
be the most attractive place for her own
husband; and in doing this she uncon-
sciotlsly spreads the good work, and keeps
from temptation good many other men
One does not need, my friend, 10 wear
badges or scarfs announcing what we are
going to try and do; one simply wants To
do IT. and although the maxim about
looking out and not in applies very well
in some cases, still | think il more women
looked in and did their work at their own
homes, its influence would be wider and
the Giltedyes would not be 50 general.
THE POOR on THE ROOF.
There is another roof garden here. We
will have to 60 down the dirty, dusty
streets to find it. We pass through street
where there does not seem word of Eng
lish spoken, only Italian; through another
where French is the language, and every
now and then one sees all industrious
Chinaman working away, apparently cool,
Mt linen gown made for some young girl
who never dreams where her pretty frills
and frivles go. 1t is u black tenement
house that we enter. We are just as likely
TO stumble over drunken man or 4 sleep
ing child in the hallway. Up, up. up We
60, each floor growing more miserable
more untidy, until the top is reached
Then out on the roof There are no PALM
trees here; there are no gay lanterns; mo
comfortable chairs, no cooling drinks III
pitchers, but there are people and peoplt
and people. Tired men stretched ont tull
length, weary women leaning up against
abe ehimneysi little children, without any