Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1896-12-02
STORY OF A FAILURE.
The Lights and Decorations Spoiled the
Good Looks of Women. s

The Lights and Decorations Spoiled the
Good Looks of Women. s
I heard a curious story in New
York the other day about how the
vanity of women ruined one of the
famous hotels. I will give no names,
but those who were in the habit of
visiting New York Is years ago will
identify it, for it was not only pat
ronized by the most advanced set
of upperdom, but was the favorite
stopping place for foreigners. It's
restaurant was also the popular din
ing place for the ''swagger' set
and the only formidable rival Del
monioo then had. It's name was Civ
en- to brands of wine and cigars and
was adopted by ambitious little no.
tells all over the country.
The proprietors were coming mon
ey, and at the end of a certain sea-
son which marked high tide in their
prosperity they decided to introduce
some novelties in the way of deco
rations and scenic effects that would
be attractive to their patrons and
add to their fame. Their restaurant
was closed during the summer, and
in the fall was opened with furry
that awakened New York. It was
so thronged every night at dinner
time that it's regular patrons had to
engage tables two and three days
ahead, and strangers who were not
up to that trick were compelled to
wait until the flush of the show was
over or go away disappointed. A boy
in buttons used to sit near the cash
ier's desk, with a book handsomely
bound in red morocco, taking the
names of people who intended to
dine there during the next week or
two and the number Of plates each
would require. And it was the great
show place for new gowns and jew
els. Women who had just returned
from Paris with trunks full of new
things wore them there first, and
that fact drew others who we're not
so fortunate, but quite as anxious to
see the latest styles.
But within a few weeks the pat
ronage of the place began rapidly
to fall off, and before the middle of
the season it was half empty every
night Women with handsome
gowns and jewels never came again,
and the proprietors did not know
what to make of it. Finally one of
them confded in gentleman friend
who knew everybody and asked
him to make quiet canvass among
their former patrons and find out
what was the matter-whethe it
was the cooking, or the service, or
the price, Or whether there was a
feeling about thatobjeotionable peo-
pie went there to dine. :
In afew-days the friend came
back with an astonishing story.
SIT isn't your wines, or your food,
or your prices, :" he said, and there
is no complaint about the people
one meets at your place. It's your
new decorations and electric lights.
The peculiar shade of green on your
walls is deadly to woman with !
rouge or powder on her face, and |
none but compilations of six years
and under can endure it, Besides, |
your electric lamps are so arranged |
that they kill the effect of delicate
tints of satin, and everybody is
wearing satin this year. The women
did not know what was the matter
with each other for awhile, but they
soon found out, and nothing will
induce them to come here"
From that date the prestige of the
famous hotel began to wane until
finally it went into the hands Of a
receiver, who sold the furniture at
auction and closed the doors. New
York Letter in Chicago Record.