The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-02
ONE TOUCH OF NATURE
At CBICzGos FAIR, WITH ITS REPRE-
sEyTzTIHEs or AL NATIONS

dttionnt frfce OF n Nickel . stosn tor neer'
CHICAGO. June 30-More refreshing than
ocean breezes or well-drawn glass OF cool
beer from freshly tapped key are some OF
the mattresses in some Of the Fair restaurants.
The ones who serve behind the long board
counters, where hungry multitudes on high
stools are served with beer and sandwiches or
iced tea and pie. are Imported from the back
woods because they ACCEPT service as lunch
counter walters for nominal wages. expecting
in such Employment to SEQ the Fair" Just
how they will manage to satisfy that laudable
ambition. working rs they do from In
the m morning TO 10 IN the evening. seven days
a week. Is one OF the many Fair mysteries no
one can attempt to solve and remain sane.
They are dearer to the student OF social IAN
tastes when they are stll unsophisticated by
knowledge OF the Fair, or any other knowledge
not gained In the green lush solitudes from
whence they are recruited.
Such a one served q Sun man his modest
lunch yesterday at the counter whose un-
clothed length runs along narrow hall on the
ground floor OF the Liberal Arts building.
facing the north basin. The SuN mans
casual lunch companion was New
Yorker whose business has frequently
brought him into tho West and given
him some acquaintance with the kind OF girl
who regarded us with smiling inquiry across
the counter. when we had mado tho ascent OF
the stools. The New Yorker referred to has
dignified countenance which masks joliyinG
capacity familiar to an uptown club where
he Is known rs Norman.
What do you fellows want for dinnerf" was
the first inquiry OF the maid. who. although
probably about 20 years old, had the fgure Of
a sixtee n year old boy. Her face was delight
fully freckled. and her abundant black hair
had been actually bronzed on top OF her hend
by the sun.
She mistook the delighted silence her form
OF question produced for indecision concern
ing the imposition OF our dinner" for she
added with kindly desire to assist In q de-
csion: There's cake and pie and tea. and
sandwiches and beer: some Of the city fellows
order beer and sandwiches though l don't
relish those kind of victuals myself"
1T pains me-" began Norman Grnneby,
when he had recovered speech. TO show any
seeming disrespect to your taste in-er-vict-
unls, but we'll take beer and sandwiches for
dinner returning. at tea time. for the tea
and cake"
"Oh. / amt going to set up my mind against
any ones" the girl said eagerly. II just told
ma. when declared was coming here. that
I supposed I'd have to see fast life. but didn't
propose to set I'D my mind against 1t s'long
as didn't have to he fast myself"
"Iapprove your determination to Romanize
your prejudices." said Norman. {" BY the way.
how are all tho folks at WaukeeRo?"
Now smarte. we don't live at Waukeego: |
we live at Waukeegum. should think you'd
know that"
"A more verbal inadvertance on my part.
Did understand you that some one ID draw
ing that beer2"
Gracious! Did you both order beer?"
Both"
Well declare You fellows must think I |
amt got no brains. but amt used to this sort
Of thing. Ma said sho knew I'd get all flabber-
gasted soons tried to take orders from city |
fellows. but lust declared I'd tell right out |
that wasn't used to 1t, and was from the |
SOS they'd understand"
The Waukeegum belle disappeared and re-
turned with two glasses OF beer, carrying one
in each hand. with the han dies turned from
her. She watched the hasty disappearance OF
The liquid down two hot. dusty. thirsty throats,
and favored US with laugh that might have
been heard from Waukeegum to Waukeego.
whom Norman said:
III you won't tell ma. you can bring two
more glasses not forgetting the sand wiches
IN route"
Il declare. I think you city fellows drink
nore'n you eat" she said as she brought the
ull order. Il Just told ma that supposed I'd
get oil those fancy French notions about vict-
lals here. even II didn't earn much wages.
Why. there was a fellow here Just before you
fellows came who wanted mustard to put on
mis- sandwich. wanted knife ana fork to cut
It with. wanted napkin to wipe his whiskers
With. and dear knows what fxings he didn't
want Isuppose he was French. Don't your
Il saw him 60 out" responded Norman.
: He was an Attach6 de PAmbassade dc
France"
My sakesl II I'd known that was his name
I'd tried to be more company for him: but you
zee how 1t Is. I have so much running about
o do haven't time to talk with folks much,
hough they do look 90 lonesome. 1 suppose
hey think don't know much manners Here
IRE your checks"
Norman examined the checks. Each was for
70 cents. He put so cents on the counter and
re started to 60.
Here" exclaimed the girl. You have to
Jay at the door,"
Norman picked up the 80 cents and the
hecks and laid ten cent piece on the counter.
What's that forr asked the girl
why, or. It's for YOU"
The girl flushed angrily. mo you don't!'
he exclaimed: you can't come no such trick
8 that. Do look like girl who'd take money
hadn't worked for?'
Norman picked up the dime. removed his
at bowed profoundly, and marched straight
0 tho nearest candy booth. There he bought
he handsomest box OF candy to be had. re-
urned with messenger to the loggia In front
I the lunch counter and pointed out the
irl to the messenger. who delivered the candy
D her and ran away. as instructed.
In most OF the restaurants tho walters are
rigands. You must demand written item
.ed bill. check the amounts. and prove the
otala. The matter OF tips Is. OF course. In the
ustomer's hands. but to keep them within
easonable hounds, 1t 10 frequently necessary.
fter carefully counting the change. to ask
hat small Ter change be furnished for the walt
RS try. when possible. TO force n twenty-five
r iifty-cent tin whore ten or twenty-five cents
'ould accord with New York usages.
1t Ia good fun to try o few OF tho village
In ths Midway but apart from them .
pcuring a meal In tho Fair grounds. There
such lunch counter as has been described
hemp In these enough can be had to escape
hunger headache" and that Is as much as ,
10 wise visitor will attempt to accomplish In I
10 line OF eating. outside Of the Midway.
Some OF the charges are simple robbery. In |
a al, | .