The morning news., 1892-03-26
ON raE ROAD IN TEXAS
Novelties the Traveller Fiads in Lone
Star Eating Houses.
FIon1 the chicago nribans.


II you are travelling in Texas there are
two ways Of living or existing. One is by
the buffet system. to which no man ever
resorts when he can help it, and the other is
at the eating stations along the route. o.
casioually the train stops long enough for
the traveller to get something that will pro-
long life. 1t is the belief OF some travellers
that this Goes not occur until the stock in
the buffet has been exhausted: but there
are conductors who want to live, and they
will hold train sometimes FIVE minutes
longer than the card time in order 10 pre-
pare for the days journey. One square
meal Is all that q man who Is travelling in
Texas is expected to ask for.
There Is one Of these eating houses several
hours run from San Antonio. The train
leaves San Antonio at O'Clock in the
morning, 50 that when the train reaches
the station In question he Is ready for feed
ing. The eating house is two bucks from
the railroad. As yoa go through the old
fashioned passageway 80 common In southern
houses aud out upon the porch you meet
the landlord. He has towel IN his hand,
and on an upturned soapbox ls a stIn wash
basin with handle to it, and bar OF laD.
which has served on the family washday.
The landlord has a speech lie repeats until
the last passenger has gone into the dining
room. II has no infection. but it is like the
unemphasizsd, unspaced monotone of the
guide at the Alamo:
Nv a ashy yerfa c andhands, soapand
water"
"Washyerfaceandhand soapandwat 4
If this strikes the traveller as funny be has
only 10 wait until he gets seated at the ia.
BILE to have more fun. There arc four
walters, all women. The assertion is made
at random that they are sisters. They are
dressed alike and look alike. They have
the same walk and the same tone Of voice
They are in line when the travellers are
seated. Then the procession begins to
move around the table like the procession
that used to come out in that old clock
over at Chaplin a. Cores. Each one Of the
sisters has her article Of food. This was
the order at the breakfast, which, by the
way, was not bad one:
First Sister--"Have some of the fried
chicken and gravy" And she helps you &c
the same If you cay yes.
Before you turn upon il the second sister
is after you with this; "Have somo of the
ham and eggsp II you are not quick about
it she unloads the same on your plate.
As she moves off the third sister is at your
back with: "HominY, good lye hominy and
biscuit-have some Of the biscuitm
Then comes sister No. 4 Sausage and
apple butter-have some Of the apple but
terFr
By the time she is out Of the way the frsi
sister makes turn and is again upon you
with: Coffee or tea or milkP Whatever
you selectjs handed to you.
Then sister No. 2, who has made another
lap, asks: Take sugar and cream In your
coifeel How much sugar viii you havei"
Sister No. 3 follows in quick succession
with this: Peach preserves and apple pre-
serves. and honey and pie-which will you
haveN
And then the fourth sister closes the
scene with: "Buckwheat cakes or corn
cakes-which'n you hsvep
BY this time the traveller has all he can
master. The four sisters fall back and take
in the Travellers and the old man who runs
the wash basin pokcs his head in tie door
and calls out, encouragingly: Take yer
time. people' You've got ten minnits ylt
fore the train leaves"
You have had your breakfast Then you
return to the buffet until about o'clock In
the evening, when another eating station is
reached.
And so you live when you travel on a
railway in Texas. u4 sa4 dal. v 1.-... "