El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-02-20
Married Life the Third Year
Helen and Warren Dine Under Diff
culties at a Restaurant During
the Waiters' Strike.
by Mabel Herbert Urner -


an EG pardon. sir" a beIIboy in
tercepted Warren half way
down the marble steps. "but
the grIl's closed"
Closed How's that2''
The strike, sir, we haven't enough
walters to keep it open. But you'Il
find everything just the same in the
ladies' restaurant"
Warren led Helen across the foyer
to the elaborate room in gilt and bro
cade, where only a few people were
dining and but two walters were in
evidence.
We don't want to eat in there" OBJ
jccted Warren. Looks too dead. Come
on, let's try the Maxwell"
The Maxwell was on the next block.
They found two policemen stationed
outside and crowd surrounding the
entrance.
Something's doing here, all right 50
commented Warren, as he pulled Helen
drought the revolving door.
Oh, We're those men out there some
Of the strikers2' she whispered.
hat and coat
Now if these hat boys could only
90 on a strike" pOcketinE the check,
but they stick blamed close to their
Jobs"
Not Taking Chances.
There were more diners here, but
the scarcity Of walters was evident.
The head waiter waved them toward
q table by the window.
NO, wen not take any chances on
any brick throwing by your friends
out there" declared Warren Give US
3 table by the wall"
ooh. it's not as bad as that, sir"
he seated them Il hear the Astor-Ritz
had a few windows broken, but we've
enough guards out front to put down
any trouble But you'll have to be
little patient with your order, sir. The
chef has only one man in the kitchen,
and we've only eleven walters out Of
well, do the best you can, an
swered Warren. I'll stand for any
thing in reason"
There was an atmosphere Of "the IN
usual" Of happenings out Of the ordi-
nary but the guests seemed to enjoy
the informality Of 1t all. One pOrtly
looking man had just got up to fiji
his glass with cracked ice.
Mind giving US some while you're
at it2' called another diner.
Sure" was the laughing reply
There was a general reaching for
saltcellars and napkins, and now, as
waiter hurried in with a loaded tray
for a nearby party Of five, one OF the
men volunteered to serve it.
You put the tray down there and
III attend to it." and the waiter gladly
accepted the offer.
At last he came to their table War
ZEN had already reached for a menu
card and written out their order to
save time. But when the waiter
glanced at the slip he handed it back.
sorry, sir, but were serving only
steaks and chops"
The dickens you areI" exclaimed
Warren Well, how about steak2"
turning to Helen Il guess a pIanked
steaku fill the bill about right"
NO pIauked steaks, sir. Nothing out
plain sirlOins-"
"WeII-pIain sirIOin then. Suppose
we can have Tegetables?'
only potatoes, sir"
Helping Themselves.
SAY, this about the limit. Well,
potatoes, theu-hashed brown.
only French fried. sir"
Warren grOwled something under his
breath which the waiter took for an
assent and hurried off
There were no Omnibuses, and the
walters had no time to properly set
I'D the tables, so every one seemed to
be helping themselves Warren went
over TO a serving table, filled their
glasses with fee and. forked out two
ssWonder if they'll have the nerve to
charge extra for bread and butter,
when you grab for it yourself" he
shifted.
Are they charging extra for bread
and butter everywhere nOw?" asked
EVERYWHERE they think you'll stand
for it. And If the walters get what
they're striking Tor, you can be
mighty sure the public'n have to zap
for it. Wen be charged for salt and
pepper then"
Il wonder if I could have foot
stooI2" murmured Helen, who would
natfentlv do without everything else
q She could only have a foot rest
Now for Heavens sake don't set up
q howl for a foOtstOol tonight II
YOU get anything to eat, you're lucky.
Hook your heels over the round Of
your chair.
THE manager. who was solicitously
9oing about, helping to keep the din
ers patient and gOOd-humored, now
came up to their table
eEetting served, sir2'
we've go our order in-but we
don't want to wait here all night.
Having a pretty hard time of it,"
The Managers Troubles.
yves they all walked out on me yes
terdav. Had to close up last night
T31It now were going to fight this TO
a finish-no more union men for me.