Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-06
ELLEN ADAIR SEES
NEW SIDE OF LIFE
IN LODGING HOUSE
She Meditates Upon the
Strange Breakfast Atmos-
phere So Prevalent in
Many Boarding Places.


Life in a lodging house is very strange.
To me. 1t seems as If it were a stage.
and "all the men and women merely
players" Yet, too, their actng strikes a
genuine note.
The breakfast table is the testing place,
think. The purcst gold alone comes
chastened from its fires Wild snatch
lngs OF the last piece of wiltcd toast.
strange chickering's DER the bacon and
the eggs are not conducive to the souls
development. The breakfast table Of a
lodging house can he a veritable battle
ground.
The stray young man who sits upon my
right at these cart-brcnSing fcasts was
born TO be the fighter Of a losing cause.
His appetite is most prodgious. But in
New Englands spinster he has met his
match
This gentle lady sits right opposite and
to the casual eye would seem timid.
frightened. yielding soul Ah base decep-
tion For beneath her prim gray shawl
there beats a soldiers heart attuned to
victory. What boots the appetite Of cal
low youth against this old campaigner?
Has she not fought for 80 years a winning
fight around the breakfast tables of n
hundred lodging houses? All, shades of
European conhi t. what are YOU beside
the morning Battle OF the Butter and the
Rolls?
THE WEAKER SIDE.
feel quite sorry for the stray young
man-the weaker side must always rouse
my sympathy. He rises early to secure
his share-in vain! New E;ngland's Spin
ster is already to the feast. Around her
are an odd array of tiny well-stocked
plates She wears a coy. yet sadly plain
tive air.
Good morning. Miss Adair" says she,
good morning, Mr. Simpkins. oh, how
well and strong YOU two young people
look! Now, l have passed wretched
night. without n single wink Of sleep.
My doctor says that | must eat two eggs
to breakfast, that my health requires it.
&c. Mr.. Simpkins. l have eaten yours.
OF course, the landady will cook an
other one for you! | felt so faint l
simply could not wait to ask you-but, of
course you do not mind"
The gallant Mr.. SimpIins eyes her with
q furious eye. II guess I'll have to do
without my morning egg" he says; you
do think of the best stunts I've ever
heard. I've only got a ten-hours' work
Ing day in front Of me. 1t doesn't really
matter what l eat.'
New England's Spinster glggles coyly,
do think you're sensible! My father
always used to say that men ate far too
much. heavy breakfast strains the
system for the day
"A stolen breakfast strains tho temper
for the day." replies the youth sepul-
chrally.
Gone come now Mr. Simpkns" cries
the Jovia Man upon the Spinsters left.
1.-THE mind acts quicker on a lighter diet,
You have to thank your friend here for
your sharpened Wits
This was tine most unkindest cut of
all!' The fighter of lost causes was n
man-and very human. Gee Whit said
he, 'ff that is so. guess you'd better
fast for a whole week.!
ODD FANCIEs.
In value, the last piece of wilted toast
Is but a poor thing, and resultant dem
lists bills would overweight the trivial
nourishment it might contain. Yet have
always seen it's hardened charms most
tondly chased around the breakfast table
of the lodging house. New England's
Splnster, strong in strategy, would
always seize it for her own at last.
1t made me think of days in Sussex
when the chickens used to cluster round
their morning meal There was a timd
wiry little bantam who appeared TO be
the weakest of the brood. She used TO
hover. fluttering right in the rear, until
some larger, stronger birds would hesi-
tate about the swallowing of some dainty
morsel-then the little bantam would time
her willy rush to victory and carry of
the prize! Thus with New England's
6pinster!
I think that in the early morning hours
30 many people see life with a Jaundiced
eye The little lamplight affectations are
not born till twilight comes, The little
airs and graces that, while not deCeiving
make life pleasant are nc with us In
the opening watches OF the day.
The Pretty Girl, who is saleslady in a
large department store, Is not just quite
80 pretty at the breakfast table. She
wears a pouting, discontented look, and
the pale daylight shows a glimpse of pow
der on her little nose.
The Old Gentleman, whose buntness is
regarded as so sweet or $50 refresh
Ing" around the dinner table in the even
Ing, is now regarded as a cross old bear
The morning seems TO breed a different
point of view. l wonder why?