The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1893-11-25
GIRLS EAT HAPPILY.
INEXPENSIVE MEALS FOR YOUNG
WOMEN WHO WORK HARD.

From a narrow entrance on Greenwich
street well worn stairs lead TO a room
where M1. Smith gives a hot meal for
twenty cents. No outer sign above or be
low indicates anything to minister 10 inner
comfort. but the odor Of cabbage II mp.
parent at times In "A manner too strong to
be really prepossessing. The room occu
pies the whole floor Of what evidently had
been a large loft. Half Of the front OF the
room Is divided of by a light partition
that misses the ceiling by several feet. Tn
other half, carpcted with IA Brussels carpet,
Las an easy chair. several rockers and
other chairs.
The buck part OF the room Is separated
by an apology for a partition that does not
pretend 10 hide from view the high p~riestess
Of the establishment, Mrs. Smith, who Is
busy generally preparing vegetables, cook
ing or talking To some OF her girls at
four tables in the center OF the room and
another table that cncroaches on the sacred
precinct OF the kitchen in the demand for
more room.
you must just help yourselves here" u
rosy checked young woman remarked to Il
newcomer. II always 20 out In the kitch
en- myself and get my hot plate and help
myself to the meat and vegetables | like
hest"
She called II little girl. however, to wait
nt the table. md from the choice Of steak
and corncd beef the latter was chosen. All
helped themselves literally to some apple
sauce nnd mealy white potatoes that con
trusted very favorably with the same veg
etables that are served in more prctentious
restaurants.
II wonder II I could have some hot cab
hagef"
''Oh. yes" the young woman replied.
"Ill get IL myself"
In spite Of remembrance she returned
with a stuiining dish. the odor Of which
was not 80 distgreeable after all. OF course
almost everybody had a piece Of Mrs
Smiths genuine homemade mince pie.
with a cup Of ten or coffee.
On the tables was an unusual collection
Of napkin rings. a pretty straw ring. n
wooden one, and another were considera
bly, the worse for wear.
1--WE bring our own rings and then we
ARE sure to have the same nap-eis every
time was the explanation.
Don't you have fresh napkins every
dayY"
"Well, you might not II you didn't know
where the clean ones are kept. but we have
our rings and put the napkins away in the
drawer, and no one touches them. You
don't mind using your own napkin more
than once"
IL thought il very funny the first day |
came. but the second time I went right
out In the kitchen and waited on myself,
as I do now. and | come all the time. Gus
brought me here"
Gus is the owner OF the pretty straw
ring. and * very pretty, with soft brown
hair md eyes, oval face and dainty mouth
that closed over nearly perfect teeth.
The most refreshing part OF the meal IS
paying the bill. Mrs. Smiths method does
credit to her heart aud good faith in WON
ankind. hut IL would not recommend itself
TO the average business man. lnucheons
for the week are one dollar Kept account
OF by the girls and paid for when they see
no. or twenty cents for "A single meal. Mrs.
Smith couldn't change a five dollar note
for the newcomer. "Oh. never mind. You
can pay II when you come again"
On another visit the scene was different.
The tables had been cleared. but Mrs
Smith was equal TO the occasion. In a few
minutes plates. knives and forks had been
laid. tea had been nude and fish cakes in a
spider on n gas stove gave out an appe-
tizing odor.
Mrs. Smith is n remarkably pleasant
woman TO look at-plump and pretty, with
wRvy hair that Is growing bccomingly
white. She IL bright and motherly. Her
husband y the ~ianitor Of an office building
in broadway. and the family live there.
Six years ago a young woman who was
employed In an Office in the building and
visited Mrs. smiths rooms occasionally.
after much coaNing persuaded Mrs. Smith
TO give her a hot luncheon at noon. Soon
aftcrwari the mother Of another young
woman inquired n Mrs. Smith would make
for her delicate daughter a cup Of hot ten
nf tt,,tt lNfIafa. ..,u xaI nr. nfrnr ntt,fk.r
One girl who WAS a telegraph operator
wired 20 n friend in another building,
"Why don't you come up to Mrs. Smiths
to ;uncheonf'
Docs she have pickleSi" was the query.
"les."
"well. ri come"
Within n year forty girls went to Mrs.
Smiths room for luncheon, but in the
course OF time the owner OF the building
refused pleasantly hut firmly TO have forty
girls use its elevators just at the noon
hour. Mrs. Smith was told that she might
have a few girls. but serving forty was
stretching the point.
(which ones shall | tell to leayei" she
asked deSpairingly. Then she said des-
pcr,tely. III keep them ALL"
New quarters were rented in Cedar
street. and aiterward In Greenwich street.
The girls did not lose a single meal during
the moving. One girl has told another.
until from eighty to ninety customers 90
regularly TO Greenwich street for lunch
con. and Mrs. Smith looks out for all. The
girls almost without exception are pretty.
ladylike and we'll dressed. and ARE stenog
rnphers or telegraph operators.
II one OF Mr.. Smiths girls be chilled by
n long ride on a winters day. she runs
down TO MrS. Smith, aud after getting a
warm potion goes TO business feeling like
another woman. or. II IN the summer she
takes a vacation Of IN afternoon and a trip
b. Coney Island. she sends wo7d that she
would like TO have supper on that particu.
lar day, and she doesn't enjoy IL any the
less after a breath Of salt air.
A few days before Christmas Mrs. Smith
prepares the very best dinner that she
knows how to prepare, and the girls revel
in turkey. plum pudding. fruit. wines and
other COOL things Of a regular Christmas
dinner. "Of course some Of the girls won't
take wine." Mrs Smith explained. "hut
want them to have everything that be
longs 20 such a dinner" The girls thor
oughly enjoy the dinner and show their
appreciation Ia q substantial manner.