The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-03-19

many prominent people, and when he
conceived the idea OF placing refresh
ment stand where 1t would be convenient
for the Senator'S and Representatives, the
plan met with the hearty approval of
many of the members, and the necessary
resolution OF permission was granted
without any opposition.
Thomas II. Green was born in Phiiadel-
phia '6 years ago. For many years he
worked for the family of John A. Brown,
one OF the wealthy men of the Quaker
City, and when the family listed Newport
and Providence the genial colored man
accompanied them. He assisted at all
their entertainme nts and became such on
adept at the art Of preparing and serving
dainty menus that his name became very
familiar to Mr.. Browns wealthy friends.
When Mr.. Brown and his family broke
up their home and went to Europe ex-
Governor Hoppin obtained the services of
the skulful negro and kept him in his
family until Mr.. Green decided to enter
business as a caterer.
During the next few years his life was
very successful. When President Hayes
came to Providence and when President
Grant went to visit General Burnside at
his home in Bristol MIR. Green was called
upon TO assist in their entertainment.
He tells many stories of his experiences
with the two Presidents, for he was the
one who was thrown most intimately in
connection with them. IL they wanted
cigars, and it was no unusual thing for
President Grant to want cigar, it was
Mr.. Green who was called. 1t was he who
responded 10 all their calls, and it is not
surprising that he can tell many interest
ing little incidents about the two great
men.
Mr.. Green acted as caterer for many of
the leading families of the State. Again
and again he served dinners for such peo-
pie as Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Grosvenor
and he never tires of telling about the
magnificent spread that was served when
Miss Grosvenor became Mrs. Mason.
There were canvasbacks and terrapins from
Baltimore, and the Boston and New York
markets gave up their delicacies to make
the dinner q success.
Although Mr.. Green still remains at the
State House his life there is not what it used
to be. There was a time when the business
was much more successful than 1t is at
present, for then the legislators were lib
eral and were glad to pay the old man 10
cents for one OF his dainty little pies or
or one of his nice fresh
sandwiches. Those were the times
when the members of the two
houses would leave their orders day
ahead II they wanted a chicken salad, a
fine piece OF steak or lobster salad they
wrote the order on slip OF paper and
when they were ready for lunch the next
day their lunch was ready for them.
Then the members used to gather around
the little table and treat each other, or
race with each other to see who could eat
the largest number fpies and sandwiches
or drink the most cups of coffee. Money
did not enter into their consideration, for
tho.e were good Republican times and
money was not playing hide-and-seek with
the people. 1t was not often in those
times that Mr.. Green could bring enough
food TO the State House. Many times dur
ing the session he would be compelled
to send home post haste for another sup
ply, but times have changed. Today there
is but little profit in the stand. The de-
mand OF the peoble, owing TO the compe-
tition in the lunch trade, has brought the
price OF the articles down TO five cents
each. Then the sessions are more erratic
than they use to be and long session on
one day may or may not be followed by
short session on the next, SO that Mr..
Green never knows just how to provide
for the needs OF his gentlemen, who may
or may not be hungry.
The stranger who visits the State House
takes one look at the old colored man
standing behind his little table and ex-
claims, "Uncle Tom" The exclamation
is not out of place. IL the character OF
"Uncle Tom," that is 30 familiar to the
-.
familiar to the average theater goer, was
ever reproduced in life it is certainly re-
produced in Mr.. Green. There Is the
same kindly smile, the same gray beard,
and, in fact, the same general appearance
which always presents itself when
we think of the hero OF the still popular
Southern romance, and the lawmakers
who have met him at the State House
during so many years have learned to re-
spect the old man for the sterling quali-
ties that he possesses.