Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-15
Congressional Library Lunches


To the Editor of The STAR
1 beg you to favor my fellow suffers with
the information which I have been so for
tunate as to gain, showing how they may
reinforce themselves by means of lunch
while pursuing knowledge in the Congress
sional Library without being compelled to
ray Delmonico prices to the cafe. invita-
lions to do which are so plentifully dis
seminated.
Aiming to avoid any suspicion Of treason
against the government.-or at all events
the appearance of acting prejudicfaily 10
the interests Of any of its officials, was
rather stealthily munching a biscuit in the
magazine room, fiatterirg myself that no
one could detect that l was occupied IN
anything more injurious than chewing gum:
But modest package at my side exciteo
the suspicious of a female employee. and
pretty soon 1 found myself confronted with
an imposing official who invited me and my
package to leave the ROOM At the moment
was not chewing. and there was no Wis
fble token that my little package contained
contraband goods. Knowing l was within
my rights l declined the invitation III
you do not. will call the captain of the
watch" said the official This seemed TO
furnish me an opportunity for which had
yearred, and awaited myself of it. SAID
that it was a shame that persons VINO
wanted the use of the library should not
be able to obtain in the building or some
where, a lunch at a reasonable rate, seeing
o
probably not nabobs. and felt that they
were entitled to the sympathy of its author
tiles; that probably they would prefer it to
being compelled to bring their lunch.
THE cafe prices are rather high for per-
sons of moderate means, he smiled ur-
banely, "but there is a lunch room where
the schedule is lower There you are per-
mitted to carry your lunch and can nave
a cup of coffee served you for 5 cents.
"Ohl indeedr l beamed- 1 have been an
habitue of the library since way back IN
never heard of this "Where is it?''
asked ION the top floor. the same as the
cafe This was interesting. I took the
elevator and requested to be shown the
the elevator boy. and proceeded to give me
instructions. mo. the lunch room" 1 re-
piled. straight ahead and then turn to
the left" Half way down the corridor to
find the cafe he said, and directed me
how to retrace my steps NO the lunch
room" objected; The end OF the cor
ridor." At the end of the corridor the only
sign Is a placard. which reads: Closed to
Visitors. Don't Try the Doors Nothing
daunted, l tried, and entered. Within
the gastronomic holy of hoiies? Around
large center table were seated about a
dozen officials and stupefaction was visible
in their eyes. One of them arose: What
can we do for you. madam? L was oi-
rected here to the lunch room. ION, yes.
the cafe" and showing me the door and
opening the next door he called to some
one to direct this lady to the cafe. The
colored waitress addressed led the way
while two young women rose from a table,
and one on either side volunteered to snow
me the cafe. Evidently l was sensation
Shaking myself. loose from my escort
dropped into a chair at the not very inVit-
ing table that YVES the only one vacant. L
think l was invading the sphere OF the
mattresses. 1 opened my package, boldly
revealing the corpus delict that had
brought me this weary pilgrimage, and
asked for a cup of coffee. The girl held
out her hand. Ten cents But was
told you could get g cup of coffee mere TOT
cents That's for clerks; it's ten for
visitors, and you pay in advance.
dropped 10 cents in her hand, ana was
served with small sized cup three-fourths
filled with coffee and which had three little
Jumps of sugar on the saucer. requested
sugar dish. That's the allowance OF
sugar she answered. I passed my hand
over my forehead. Am | penltentiary
convict?" l asked myself. Then, While
munching my frugal repast repeated over
to myself:
..If poverty's his crime,
Let mirth from his heart be driven,
That Is the deadliest sin on earth,
And never is forgiven
I have written this experience hoping
some sympathetic souls may ind in II COM
fort and enlightenment. For their sakes
exhibit these
..Footprints which perhaps another
Sailing DER life's rugged main,
A forlcrn and shipwrecked brother
Seeing may take heart again
R. B. WATT.