Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-03
BLIND PIGS ARE NOT AT ALL
DIFFICULT
RESTAURANTS SELL BEER TO
DRY CUSTOMERS
Booze Flows Easily In Beautiful City
Of Orange ReIt--No Pussy Foot
Needed to Follow Trail
Of Tiger
BY WINFIELD 8. MORGAN


Bret Harte knew whereof he spoke when
he wrote:
For ways that are dark and tricks that are
vain,
The heaten chinee is PECULIAR
And for those same ways that are
dark and tricks that are vain" his first
cousin. the willy Jap, is no whit behind
him.
NY acquaintance with the Jap and his
cleverness dates back some moons, con-
sequently my experience with the River
side son of Nippon herewith related was
no intense surprise to me.
But am getting ahead Of my story.
Rumor has been rife for some time
that despite it's reputation for sobriety
and "dryness," Riverside that pictur-
esque little gem of a metropolis with Its
setting of orange and walnut groves was
not so righteous and law abiding as re-
CARDS the temperance regulations as 4
might be. Hence when the plans were
laid for these Investigations I have been
making IT was '.included on my list
Early in the series 1 planned my visit
to. "the home of the orange" confident
that although I have never visited the
place and knew no single person living
there from whom / might seek pointers,
could unearth the forbidden ''wetness"
II it existed unaided.
had not been in town half an hour be-
sanguine and another thirty minutes had
put me in possession of a drink.
Sent to Restaurant
Through that mysterious channel of in
formation current in dry regions
among those who style themselves good
Fellows" 1 had been told that IL dry l
could get something to drink at the
Washington restaurant on Eighth street,
near Main, and thither wended my way,
well along after the noon hour. Enter
ing was met by a smiling servitor,
whether he was the proprietor, t. ohashi,
or another have no way of knowing,
and was as smilingly bowed to seat at
one of the rear tables. Glancing over the
bill Of fare muttered something about
not being hungry Ito tell the truth l had
already dined), and -proffered my request
for a bottle of beer.
The answer quoted above ELECTED my
further request for the fluid, and after
mulctfng me in the sum of 30 cents (note
the price: elsewhere in Riverside the same
beer. made in Anaheim. is but uuarteD
the swartIy oriental made his exit into
the kitchen Possibly ten minutes
elapsed when he again reappeared-from
the kitchen--with bottle of beer. Ad-
vancing to the table he deftly opened the
btotle and poured the beverage, apologiz-
ing for the delay by saying Had to get
at dug stlore." Did he get it there?
Maybe. but doubt 1t. Anyhow he got IT.
which is the main point.
Suggests the Food
Stepping back respectfully, my "banzi
man suggested defferentially that I'd
better have sIanwich to go with" I
acuuiesced and he quickly brought fried
ham AFFAIR. evidently awaiting my order
and left me to my appetite and the beer
The restaurant is one patronized almost
exclusively by the working classes, Clean
and neat 1t is, but with no American inn
portations of style. save for the clean oil
cloth stretched over the top of each table
and American condiments ana sauces on
the table.
Meals are served at from 10 cents up,
and such as they are. for variety and
quantity, they look edible enough, al
though I would prefer to pay more and
be insured against "come backs"
The patronage of the place While I'M
rered there was various. A negro teams
ter planted himself at one table and
called for beef Spanish" At another
dirt grimed laborer was served with
beans while at third man who
rushed in from delivery wagon devoured
sscrullers and coffee" All seemed to be
strangers to each other, but measurably
familiar with the restaurant.
One corner of the restaurant room III
front was partitioned off and barber
shop operated by Japanese barber. held
full sway Business in the tonsorial de-
partment was slack and through my en-
tire visit the artist" disported himself
at full length i'm one of the two chairs
endeavoring with but small success to
picx out a tune on a mouth organ. He
played but one note at time and the
'.tout ensemble" was excessively dole
full
Next Place Is Easy
Having accomplished my mission there
I departed downward to investigate fur-
ther.
Information had reached me that at a
certain pool room on Eighth street be-
tween Maih and Market streets could
secure fresh lead ana heaoed IN
that directian.
The place was not difficult to find and
/ walked in.
Tho cigar store in front was moderately
busy, but the pool room department was
working overtime.
Mexicans, laborers, loafers and almost
every species of pool room hanger on was
IN evidence, and every one of the tables
was busy.
signs of various kinds lined the walls
and even on the fence just outside the
back door we're a couple.
In the light of later developments one
of them was very funny. It's legend ran,
mo DOOZlDB 4eI6g anu WITCH my SSo IA ot
aIighted on the prohibiting phrase,
thought | had received misinformation as
to the character of the place. hadn't,
as will appear shortly.
Within a few minutes an opening came
at one of the tables, and one of the loung-
ers accosted me- suggesting "a game Of
rotation" Gladly / consented to be In
veigled, and we played
The first game ! lost Intentionally. We
played another. and ! won. A third
brought similar results, and then claiming
to be tired, l put up my cue, intimating
nv willingness to buy" provided my OPP
ponent was wise to the ropes"
Why No 5oozing?
II never had but one drink in this
town" l explained, "and l couldn't find
the place got that one to save my life.
It's here, but the finding of it's up to
you"
sThat's easy" was his quick reply.
s'The boss of this pool room runs a place
lust a couple Of door from here where
we can get all the beer we want" and he
led the way to the street.
The reason for that mo boozing here
sign was becoming more apparent.
we turned toward Market street and