The Washington herald., 1908-03-08
FROM WOMAN'S
POINT OF VIEW

At fashionable tea room, the other
day. very much crowded OF late by rea-
son OF its excellence in every depart
ment, matron with two haIf-grown
children-a son and daughter-was among
the crowd waiting for seats. Presumably
the trio belonged TO the better class
their patronage OF such a place would
prove that even II their clothing had not
proclaimed money In abundance-yet they
were in-mannered 20 a degree. They
pushed and jostled the patient standees
with better manners and actually snatch
ed chairs before those who had occupied
them had fairly given up possession. At
that the family was separated, the youth
taking seat across the aisle
The atmosphere OF that tea room. and
every other 1 ever saw, is refined 10 q
degree, and serenity marks the appear
anee OF both patrons and employees. II
is not quick lunch place. but one where
women can eat as they DO at home, with
ali the refnements and with pleasant con-
Yersation. so the conduct OF the manner
less family was conspicuous. They fretted
al the slow service and ste their food as
II eating was an unpleasant task 10 be
put Out Of the way as soon as possible.
The feminine members OF the party finish
ed first and the girl stepped across 70 the
table where her brother was seated and
made q grab for his check.
A full glass Of water stood near Il and
WAS overturned 10 the discomfort or two
women who were quietly eating at the
table. The water spread TO their plates
and spattered on 10 their clothing, and
that rude girl Of fourteen OF so did not
offer one word OF apology or regret. She
was not even embarrassed. and orlookers
were forced 70 the conclusion that accs-
dents caused by carelessness were TOO
common in her life 10 be noticed There
was some confusion while the feminins
manager OF the place and the girls who
had charge Of that and neighborIng
tables cleared away the results of the
carelessness. and during Il a remarkable
thing happened. A party OF four. with
healthy appetites and a taste for expen-
sive dishes. dropped their checks under
the table at which they ate, and left the
room few dollars in debt 10 the man
agement.
cause all four were beautifully attired
down to the smallest detail. and their
order was more elaborate than is usually
given in midday They had the earmarks
Of good breeding and large incomes, yet
they were Hothing better than a band of
thieves. ana while they will probably
never dare to go there again. they will
ind plenty Of other places they may be
able 10 cheat OF a single meal A man.
whose wife told him of the incident. said
thar the proprietor OF a chain OF high
class hotels told him that this kind OF
erookedness was not uncommon among
women and that it was so rare among
men that they did not take trouble to
watch them as they do the other sex.
At hotel largely patronized by women
the attendant at the dressing rooms. al
ways open 10 the public, answered the
complaint Of a woman against the towels
supplied by the management in this fash
ion: The loss by theft was such an inn
portant item of expense that the tiny
squares, hardly large enough 10 do serv-
ice once, were substituted for decent-siz
towels with satisfactory results. They
were BOT worth stealing and the trouble
OF hiding in the clothing with the risk Of
detection. Stationery Is stolen by the
wholesale, and table cutlery often disap-
pears, despite the vigilance Of the walters.
who charge Il In the bill when Il is de
tected. This is scarcely an enyiabIe rep
utation for US TO acquire. is il?
BETTY BRADEEN.