Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-10

! in New York at which 1t has become the
fashion to give dinners, lunches, teas.
/ dances, &c. The people who pay for these
entertainments are obliged to employ one
| florist and other. The latter pays a
commission of 25 per cent to the caterer.
! The commission business runs through all
the trades. Butcher and groceryman are
| not permitted to bring any food into the
millionaire establishment unless they salts
fly the claims of butler and cook for per-
centages. Prices charged in the bills have
become proportionately eXtortionate, SO as
to cover the rake off of the servants. So
far as the grocery business is concerned.
the combination has been broken up in
Newport by young society man named
Garrison, who, having lost his money, set
up shop. He is said to be making for
tune by selling goods at reasonable rates.
having practically all Of the fashionable
custom.
The social position Of the young man,
who was always a great favorite. has not
been altered by his going into trade. He
gees everywhere, and 1t is no uncommon
thing to hear some such conversation as
this across the counter Of his shop:
MY dear Mr.. Garrison, how do you do?
I did not see you at the dance last night.
The tea you sent me last week was not so
good as usual. Kindly send me a dozen
bars of soap and five pounds OF soda crack
ers. 1 suppose you will be at Mrs. Wander
bits reception this afternoon. Au revoir."
Then they shake hands over an imaginary
barb-wire fence. and the woman of fashion
other one comes in.
A Swell Who Sells Potatoes.
"Oh, Mr. Carlson she gushes. why
have you deserted us of late? / counted on
you for my little breakfast the other day,
and you were so unfeeling as to send re-
grets. That Roquefort cheese you sent me
on Monday was delicious; have you any
more of it? Too bad: I'm sorry. Kindly
put me down for a barrel of -four and half
a bushel of new potatoes. My, but that is
awful price for potatoes. Don't you think
that you can let me have them a little
cheaper"
impossible, my dear Mrs. McFlimsy, 1
assure you," responds the society mer-
chant, blandly, as he tries the ring" of
one of the silver pieces which the lady has
just taken from her purse upon the coun-
ter.
We'll, good day. Them says the GUS
toner Il will see you at Mrs. Vanderbilt
this afternoon, of course. Don't forget the
flour, for We are quite out of it,
Another barb-wire shake. and she is gone.
on account OF the excessive prices which
the rich are obliged to pay for whatever
lney Duy one of the richest of the million
aires has become so exasperated that he
sometimes objects to reasonable charges for
the things he purchases. 1t is said that in
Newport the hackmen drive away when he
tries to summon a cab, because he bea is
them down to such an extent. Regarding
the matter of commissions, the fact is worth
mentioning that well-known manager of
balls in New York gets all of the flowers
for his dinner parties free from the mer-
chants whom he employs to furnish the
floral decorations for the entertainments
which he controls.
There is said to be more money for the
caterers and florists in q big Hebrew we'd
ding than in any other form of entertain
ment in New York. On such occasions it is
not an unusual thing for the family of the
/ bride to take a whole floor al Delmonico's
and literally crowd it with flowers The
ricn Hebrews of this city spend money very
lavishly. They are fond of good eating and
good living generally, and they give gor-
geous feasts. Their wedding presents are
usually handsomer than any gifts that are
to be seen at Christian bridal