The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1895-11-17

vidual, so original and so high toned that
unless you have visited one you viii have
| trouble TO realize 1t. Ladies come and GO
! Husbands drop in after them. Both par
take of luncheon, chatting together. Hus-
| band departs. Wife remains. She rests
awhile in the cushioned chairs, counts up
| her expenditures, ConSultS memoranda, and
| lying back upon the downcst of cushions,
carefully selected for her By a dusky faced
attendant, takes q little nap. When she
wakes it is with gentle pull at the shout
der: THE cab you ordered, madam, for
O'Clock is a the door,
Away ratified the handsome with its bur
den of pretty shopper inside. This matron
had been enjoying the privileges Of a
ladies' cafe.
There are perhaps bakers dozen of the
cafes in New York-certainly no more. All
are very high priced If only the viands that
are served were counted in thu bill but the
little slip OF paper deposited by the side of
each luncheon plate means comfort, at
tendance, easy chairs, writing materials,
perhaps and the pleasure ofthe smallresting-
rooms. This is what makes the actual cost.
THE MOORISH CAFE.
There is a hotel in New York whose
ladies' cafe is noted the world over. 1t
las been call ed an International cafe.
In this room tea is served every after
noon. Adjoining it are dining-rooms,
large and small, with great windows
overlooking Fifth avenue, where parties
can adjourn for a solid meal. In the
ladies' cafe, which is known as the Moor
ish roOm ladies drop in to wait for their
lords, who meet them by appointment
before shopping or calling. And here
strangers in the city come hoping to meet
travellers from home. There is heavy
delicious scent hanging around the Moor
ish room. The lights are deiicately shaded,
soft music comes from a distance, where
piano OF harp, played Mt musicale, is en-
liveniDg another party; and. sedately
stationed in the background, are capped
servants TO carry notes and run your bid
ding.
No one is admitted who fails tn SUCCESS
fully pass the scrutDizing eye of the door
attendant, and the right to summary exit
is held by the owner of the hotel. Tips to
servants and attendants are forbidden,
and, throughout, the Moorish room is the
most famous ladies' cafe the world. Here
the Duke OF Marlborough and his fiancee
could be found daily; and here all the nota-
bIes since the Duke of VeTagua have held
afternoon levees.
All the ladies' cafes, while remarkable
for refinement. are not quite as exclusive as
this one. There is ladies' cafe on Broad
way where luncheon is served for three
hours at noon from a high counter. Tall
marble figures stand around, costly brio
a-brac embellishes the walls, exquisitely
colored marvels of the confeCtioner's art
are placed in cases for the tempting OF the
appetite, and giant palms stand in conven-
lent inches. But the luncheon is served in
the democratic style known as 1.-The coun-
ter lunch" A long oval table runs down
the middle OF the room. High stools are
standing all around it. Inside the oval
stand walters dishing out the sayory lunch
cons, and beyond are little gossiping groups
waiting for a chance at the high stools.
The finest of luncheons is served and the
highest price asked. Here society bellies
alight from their carriages half an hour
before matinee time and run in for
chicken pattie nd a cup OF chocolate; and
here the mammas come for n Bath bun.
a cup of tea and an ice, the peculiar COM
bination selected by the elderly stomach
as combining the healIhful and the tooth
some.
At many Of the ladies' cafes of New York