The Washington times., 1894-08-26
Department Lunch Counters;
Behind and in Front of Them.

Few visitors at the departments upon mat
ters of state, or Of transcendental interest to
themselves, if not their country, are aware
that concealed somewhere near the cellar or
attic OF each department is large eating es-
tablishment where hundreds of clerks are fed
daily.
Congressman big WITH having gained sons
big post-offiee appointment in Timbuetoo
for powerful blOw-guns at home, leave
the presence Of the Secretary and imagine
the savOTy Cdors that make their olfactories
tingle are redolent Of future political prefer
ment little knowing thar they are vaporings
only peculiar TO the culinary departments
where everything is cooked up except political
hash.
Bent on seeing Washington life In ITS en-
tirety. / have been taking in the restaurants,
pie-counters. nickle-in-the-slot coffee urns.
While IN the last thrOes of indigestion I'll tell
you some Of my dyspeptic reflections. Some
OF these lunching- are lofty, and some
rather lewly and unpretentiOus. The restau-
rant Of greatest elevation is on the top floor
OF the War Department. Here the line Of dis
tinctiOn between the male and female en-
plOyes is strictly drawn. There are tables set
apart for the ladies'. where men dare not in
trude and the men are accommodated a little
higher up, Just one flight nearer heaven. On
the bill Of fare can be found all the seasons
delicacies, from Mexican canaries to cold fried
soft-shelI crabs. which, it goes without saying.
are delight TO the palate OF the seeker after
government delectables-
These government privileges don't cost any
thing except the weight Of influence, but see
what cheap boon il is for the employees Of
these departments when national work must
be expedited.
Many men and women bring their lunches
with them IN their coat pockets or retiCules
beneath their skirts. Many who live in board
ing-houses find it inconvenient to fix up their
lunches and reach the Office by 8 O'Clock, or
7 else be dOcked for tardiness, for OF all the
rules. punctUaiity is most rigidly enforced
So they prefer the elegance Of a bill Of fare, =
general table. and seasoning OF department
/ tai miasma.
| In the Pension Oflee there Is a pro-
miscuous gathering Of all sexes and color who
Z patroniZe the lunch counters OF the six cater
erS. Go into the building about noon and all
| semblance Of the spiritual man has vanished.
All seem united in the common cause Of self
I preservation.
The lunch service Of the various depart
mentsIs not wholly bad however. In the In
I terror Department are three bright English
girls who serve dainty lunches at small
I cost. On a large table are spread pies, sand
wiches fruit and ali manner of good things
I
which is served 40 a common table. Milk,
/ coffee, and tea are served on draught. Chiefs
/ of bureaus and ordinary employees are seen
I side by side az the tables
/ Il is interesting 20 note the success Of these
I three English sisters. Seven years ago one of
them made a small beginning by selling milk
by the glass at a small table at the entrance to
/ the department. Her aspirations scared with
| the appetites OF her customers and she added
/ cakes and pies 10 her modest store. This was
/ barely prOftably and by application TO the
/ chief clerk she obtained an extension Of priv
| ilege and now so large is her daily custom
\ that the work requires the attention OF the
I three sisters. who serve the tables, and three
/ other attendants. These girls are proud OF
/ their independence and success and earn an
/ easy competence.
/ The patronage of the Interior Department
/ is divided with a pretty Irish girl, who speaks
/ enthusiastically Of the success she has met
/ with though she has husband who helps
I her in the work.
/ These young women vie with each other in
friendly rivalry. When their territory was
I invaded recently by another it was evident
| the trade would be divided but each gener-
/ OUsly welcomed the struggling widow who
| sought this honorable but humble means Of
| support.
/ In another department is a delicate Wash
| ington woman who has little poem running
( through her sorrOwful life. As her daily
/ customers buy their cakes and pies from her
I they receive a cheerful smile and thank
/ YOU" They little know that her object in
/ life is to make her invalid boy ar home happy
/ and that her success means the little crIppIe'B
comfort. Few buy from sympathy; many be-
cause they get value received. None know
how happy the delicate vendor is when she
sees her daily stock exhausted and her profits
. larger than usual. ii. v. s.