The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-07-19
WOMEN AT LUNCH.
Studies of Feminine Fancy in Chicago Tea
Rooms and Refectories.

Rooms and Refector1es.
| There are queer studies in wonankind
among the hungry crowds at luncheon
! in the tea rooms and ''refectories'' of
| Chicago's big shops. There are men
there to be studied too, but they are as
rule solitary, stranded specimens and
do not affect the general feminine as
pect. That aspect as whole is, if one
will only notice it, a curious, inceSsant
CULVER. A like number of men seated
| at luncheon keep their shorn or bald
heads almost still. but the comparison
of woman to the Eight aspen shade"
was never SO true as in one of these as
semblageS of bonneted ladies, whose
aigrettes and ribbons and curls seem in
perpetual breeze as they shake their
heads at every assertion they make and
turn twenty times to see if their es-
pecial waitress is coming at last.
The extreme heartiness of the lunch
cons taken by the more fragile look
ing of the women is striking. 1t is
the large and well nourished dame
who seems content with coffee and
rolls or tea and fried cakes. At the
Women's exchange the other day
two slim and slender damsels seated
themselves at one of those narrow
tables laid for four covers, though
they are no bigger than an extension
leaf in dining room closet They
are doubtless meant for the luncheon
eaters who keep within a ffteen-cent
limit and consequently do not order
many courses. There was already at
the table a shy little woman who had
whispered a wish for bouillon and
crackers, and lover of straw berry
shortcake who put up with her portion
being served in soup-p.ate because it
was good and the soup-plate was SO
pretty. These delicate maidens gave
not one order, but three separate ones.
At first they had two kinds of soup,
sorts of croquettes, bread. rolls aud
mashed potatoes. That almost covered
the table. and the small. shy eater of
crackers drew her plate nearer her cup.
Then they sent for tomatoes, lettuce,
salads, pickles, coffee, pie and choco-
late The dishes had then to be ar
ranged in two stories The shy woman
looked as if she thought she ought to
do something about the situation but
couldn't. The straw berry shortcake
eater having but one lone plate felt no
responsibility But when third edi-
zion appeared with ice cream and little
cakes it was quite time to flee.
1t was at table in the restaurant of
certain dry goods shop famous for
both silk and clam broth that mother
\, -, 49, ha
derfully energetic foreweman- The
daughter was large and looked dom
ineering; the mother was small and
looked meek. They were on their way
TO the exposition, and they agreed they
must have a hearty lunch
What will you take?' asked the
younger Some clam broth?" The
old lady's meek expression changed to
a fretful one.
No, l don't like clam broth It's
nothing but sea water"
''Some bouillon, then That'u
strengthen you"
No. / don't like bullvon. It's moth
ing but beef tea. anyway. and I'm not
sick
Have some chicken salad. then?
That's two or three dishes in one
NO. don't like chicken salad. It's f.
awful mussy stuff. seems 70 me.
Well, would you ike some straw /
berry shortcake. then? II looks good
No, l don't like any shortcake I'M
less make It myself
Well. mother, what will you have?"
the imposing but dutiful daughter 4
asked with sigh Of exhaustion
Il dunno but I'll take piece Of ap- /
pie pie which she accordingly did 4
Chjea ur.1 Ty-; huna