The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-11-08
A CHICAGO ROOF GARDEN
II Is Located I'm a Basement and Bris.
ties with Unique Signs.

Chicago Chronicle.
The observant man who passes out of
the Lyceum Theater will notice a small
sign which reads Roof garden in the base
ment." And if he wants to see the roof
garden and walks down a flight of stairs
he will see that the funny man has broken
loose down there, and tina a laugh goes
with every drink instead of a clam. For,
like all w~ell-regulated roof gardens, this
establishment has a saloon
and cafe on the side, and in
addition a number of signs which
fail in a dry time. But it is so seldom that
a dry time is experienced in that roof garden
that the signs are a giittering success.
The bartender is a thing OF beauty, even
viewed apart from his picturesque surround
ings. His linen is of the three-inch stripe
brand, n he runs TO brilliant reds. A
collar. which was once a cuff of some size,
holds up his ears. and in his shirt-front
g~listens a diamond which would serve ex-
cellently for a bicycle lantern. AS he sweeps
his hand gracefully over the bar a blind
ing flash of light follows it. for the other
diamond is on his finger. That the stranger
may know just what he can get at this bar
and not feel bashful about asking for his
htii AAO Ahaiio6CAiCil a CdIS-
fully covered the wall with announcements
which make a man feel at home.
One conveys the information that the
firm has "Cider from Adams apple" If
this is not sufficient inducement to the man
who is slow about ordering. .1ere il another
caro- announcing "A hard-boiled drink with
eggs there is spike Hennessy brandy
Kid" Mccoy does not deal with the house.
Those who drink champagne need not feel
that they are in a strange place, either, for
another modest sign announcement an
nobs."
And it would appear from other signs
that the place has a distinguished clientele.
for one sign SAYS. "Wash Hesing Just Left
Here. Can You Blame Him." A few feet
from this is another bearing. the following
Gould, Jacob Astor. August Belmont, Andy
Carnegie and Ali the Live Ones Come
Here" This ought to satisfy the most fas-
tidious as TO the character of the crowd,
but IL any further proof Is wanted it is
found in another card. which says: Joe
Jefferson, Nat Goodwin, Billy Crane, Dick
Mansfield and Sir Henry Irving All Run
Tabs Here"
II the fears of the visitor are allayed by
this imposing array of regular customers
and he again turns to the bar he is helped
One reads: Settler and Milk for Guys with
Paresis." This does not catch many GUS
Attoe - WI WI
In the Lake"
There is little chance of striking ND an
acquaintance with the bartender, for the
house warns patrons in another sign that
"Bartenders Caught Jollying VIII Be
Fined" There is a mute invitation TO the
man who refuses TO buy in a pair of bellows
which hangs on the wall bearing the legend,
BLOW Yourself" There Is also "A drink for
any stray Indian who may drift in from the
Twenty-ninth ward. two bottles of fire ex-
tinguisher with the enticing remark: Fire
water
When the customers money Is all gone he
has ample recourse at this roof garden. or
the wall hangs a coil of copper wire and
the advice: IF You Want Money Touch the
Wire" And If this brings no response there
is another field open 10 the man who Is
broke. and II is suggested In another sign
send Home for Money and Linger Longer,
Lucy" There is little hope of getting out
without spending money. and the house
frankly remarks: Put Your Money in the
Safe-We Will Get 1t Anyhow"
There are few house rules. but. such as
they are. must be observed, and one of the
most prominent Is: Don't spit on the fCor
we just swept it," Another house rule is
rigidly enforced by the hourcer. whose du-
ties In this line are onerous: IL is: III
you are going TO laugh go out" When the
the customers. for a sign back OF the bar
announces; Grand raf1e every month
when rent ~ due"
And there is joy for the hungry man In
the basement roof garden, for at one end