The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1906-11-29


specialties. Not the kind of
cafes we use that name for in
America; but bona fde cafes,
i. e., coffee houses where people go to
drink coffee, read newspapers and
p ,riodicals of all countries and Ian
guages, play game of chess, or domi-
no, or billiards. meet friends and
acquaintances; or sit for hours at the
large front windows, and look at the
stream of humanity which passes on
the street. All wholesale houses and
offices are closed in Vienna between
the hours of one and three p. M, so
that most people are at leisure to spend
at least an hour in cafe. Many stay
there much longer; some all afternoon,
and few part of the evening also.
The Jews, in particular, are great cafe
frequenters, and there are many Jewish
brokers who have no Office at all, and
transact all their afternoon business at
their special cafe. All classes of people
60 to cafes, judges, priests, counsellOrs,
doctors, army officers, etc.; but young
ladies only with male escort, or with
a chaperon. The Vienna coffee is cele-
brated for it's excellence. 1t is served
in five or six different styles, of which
the "MeiaBge"-coffee mixed with
whipped yolk Of egg and with cream
and sugar and served in long. cut
glasses-is much liked by the Viennese,
especially by the ladies. In some cafes
beer is served on special request; but
it is seldom called for. Cognac and a
few other liquors can be had in all
cafes; but not one out of thirty guests
orders it, and then only In a quantity
of hardly q tablespoonful. Many
single people take their breakfast at a
cafe. Breakfast is very modest affair
in Austria, as it consists only of coffee
and one or two rOlls-withOut butter
Butter is not used in Austria at either
breakfast, dinner or supper; and only
strangers call for it. Then it is charged
extra. The same holds good for mus.
tard, horseradish and other relish; even
every roll, or slice Of bread is charged
extra. To make up for the frugality
of the breakfast, the Viennese takes q
substantial "Gabelfruehstueck" (warn
Iunch) at ten a. m. to which he drinks
beer or wine. The Vienna cooking il
famous, but not fancy. Soup. fish
meat, vegetables and desert is th'
usual fare of even rich people. Excel
lent game of all description is plenti
full in all parts of Austria, and mucl
eaten.
Vienna is a great town for societies
The numerically strongest Of these ar
the turner's, then comes the singer
and shxrpshooters. The Vienna Ges
sanguerein is the largest and best i
the world. Among the turner's an
sharpshooters are many infuentis
and highly educated members, whic
cannot be said Of similar societies i
North Germany, whose membershi
recruits itself principally from th
ranks of mechanics, clerks, etc. Lii
,,erary societies are very numerous; bu
only few of them strictly deserve ths
name, as their purpose is more fe
amusement than for literature. Du
ing the winter season, most all thes
societies give monthly entertainment
at some hall or hotel. The program
consist Of declamations, music an
singing, mostly of light or amusir
character. After that comes suppe
which is followed by q dance, of whit
the Viennese are passionately fon
especially of waltzing, into which th'
enter with a gusto and vim that is n
,equalled by any other nationality, 9
cepting only the Hungarians VIII
they dance the csardas. Strauss wi
ner Blut, or Flederman's waltzes can
played in Kalamazoo, or perhaps ev'
in saltwater; but it is not the re
thing, be tho notes played ever SO ct
.rectly. One wants to hear them play
In Vienna by Viennese musician
For they alone enter into the spirit