Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-24
REPORTER DIDN'T FIND THE
TOWN DRY
ONE RESTAURANT, AT LEAST,
FoR THIRSTY
After Search for Liquor to Quench
Acquired Thirst, He Finds an
Oasis in "Santa Ana
Dining ParIor"
BY WINFIELD $. MORGAN

1 ~
you're more than likely to find that 1t
\ is really dry, 1" was the encouraging in
forma ton given me when 1 started on
this investigating tour.
| Fancy thatl
| lust imagine a city as flat and ex-
posed to the suns bright rays as santa
| Ana, where the cheer of a cooling drink
would be most appreciated, being really
dry!'
| | didn't believe it when the suggestion
was made-now L know how badly mis-
| taken my wet blanket" friend was.
There's plenty and to spare to drink in
| Santa Ana, and it isn't difficult to get,
either.
Never having even so much as passed
| through Santa Ana before the day OF
which [ write, | was naturally somewhat
at a loss for an idea as to just where
my quest should begin.
| Determining to leave the matter en-
| tirely to chance, / picked out passen-
| ger on the car conveying me toward the
| little city on the plains, making up my
mind to leave the car just TWO blocks
| after he did, matter il what section
of the town it landed me. Afterward
was sorry, for this system landed me at
Fourth and Ross streets, half mile or
| so from the business center.
| However, my walking ability soon cured
| that error and l hurried down Fourth
| street toward town. Sighting pool
and billiards sign, was soon an inter-
ested spectator of the gamc in progress
between the local expert and the pro-
prietor of the establishment.
| The game was an exceptionally well
played one, and the comment from the
bystanders was continuous. Under cover
of this it was not so difficult for me to
strike up conversation with one of my
neighbors, and l did so.
Generalities between us anent the game
were followed soon by challenge, and
we adjourned to the rear table to open
hostilities. The first game we played
tie and the second resulted in my defeat
Then we sauntered out to the street.
Five O'clock" said my new friend,
glancing at his watch. Guess I'll have
to go back to the shop
The Plot Thickens
You couldn't suggest a place where
| we might liquidate, could you?" /
queried.
Sure" he answered readily enough,
''but L amt got time to join you. Just
go over to that restaurant there (point-
| ing across Fourth and toward Main
street,. You'll have no difficulty. L
guess"
Cant you spare the time to go? Let
| the shop wait Bit" 1 urged.
| mot this time, I'm late now. See you
again; so long," and he hastened down
the street. r
His Thirst Increases
| Crossing Fourth street., / turned to-
ward Main and made my way to the
Santa ANA Dining Parlor and Restau-
rant" which he had indicated.
Guess I'll walk down the street and
come back here later" said to myself,
| SO 1 continued my constitutional past it
without stopping.
The streets and stores were more or
LESS active with the late afternoon shop
pers, and stranger though l was 1 at
tracted but little attention, so intent
were they upon fastening supperward.
My stroll took me past several drug
stores and one restaurant where l believe
those well known might secure the for
hidden beverages, but although l asked
i was not so fortunate.
About half an hour afterward l re-
turned to the restaurant pointed out by
my friend of the pool room, and, enter
| ing, seated myself.
| A rather short, prepossessing young
woman, stout as to figure and exceed
| ingly dark as to complexion (she was
| Spanish, l think), came up to ask my
needs. I had noticed her on the street
in the fore part of the afternoon, accom-
panied by little child, but she appar-
emily had not taken sufficient notice of
our former encounter to remember me,
although / mad picked up the little one
accompanying her after an unfortunate
step had resulted in it's falling down.
Gould one purchase beer?" l asked
trying to smile in a reassuring and friend
ly manner. "A man whose name | did
not learn referred me here. / met him
over at the billiard room, across the
street there"
In Doubt, but Gives In
Doubt, indecision and finally acquies-
cence successfully appeared on her coun-
| tenance, and without word she left me.
to return presently with the cold bottle
1 sought
you will eat?" she asked after 1 had
quaffed a satisfying draught from the
| glass set before me.
| IF it is the rule" I replied.
| 'It is usual, but not absolutely neces-
sary," she answered, and because CT the
nice way she put the plea for patronage
l ordered and ate very appetizing lit-
tie lunch.
When / rose to go, after paying my
modest BILL the rotund maid smiled in a
friendly way.
| Come again." she said.
'I will. surely" 1 promised-and some
day mean to do so.