The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-08-06

Mabel n. Urner. wait here" and
Warren strod e
through to what had been the back
parlor of the once digniied old house.
Although Helen had wanted to see
what this much-talked-of anarchist
restaurant was like, the sitting Gig
arctic smoke and bare tables were
not alluring She was almost glad
when Warren came back with brief
full up"
But as they turned to leave some
body called out jovially, Hold on
there! Always room for two more.'
Warren nodded his thanks as they
took the end of bench made vacant
by the others sliding themselves and
their dishes closer together.
Somebody showed toward Warren a
soiled menu mimeographed in purple
ink CHANGING over his shoulder,
Helen saw the items, Bean soup, 10c;
Small steak, Csc; Succotash, Sc" and
promptly decided that the food was
too cheap to be either good or clean.
Seem to be shy on walters" War
rem tried to catch the eye of man
In shirt sleeves dashing kitchenward
with an overloaded tray.
"Steve's the only food Singer here
but he's wonder a man opposite
informed them socially.
He must be to wait on this
crowd" admitted Warren.
Never been to Mollie's before?'
This is our first offense.'
We'll, I'll show you the ropes.
Write your order on this reaching
for small pad, land give it TO Steve.
Then forget it,"
Amy bread up that way?" called
someone:
"Sure!" and a long French loaf
went coasting down the bare table.
Helen thought Of the wet, dirty
dishcloth with which Steve had just
wiped off one of the other tables, and
decided not to eat any bread.
How about cocktail?" Warren
asked their friend opposite. Can you
get anything to drink here?"
IF they know you. Take a chance
write it down anyway"
Dear, look" Helen was gazing at
the weird hectic-colored posters above
the line of coats. Are they Cubist
and Futurist-or WHAT
There's the chap that drew them.
The man opposite pointed out an
manufacturing youth with flowing
hair and tie. Maybe he knows
Steve now dashed up with tray
laden with bowls of thick, reddish.
brown bean soup. Two of these he
showed across the table to Warren
The soup had stopped over the
nickel edge of the bowl in smeary
brown streaks. With a feeling of re-
vulsion Helen pushed it from her.
What's the natter" sharply. Now
no SuperclllOuS airs mere!
But. Warren, can't very well eat
soup with a fork" for only fork and
a black-handled knife were at her
place.
THE spoons are out there in the
pantry-in a box to your right" was
the helpful suggestion of a young
woman next to Helen,
With the air of habitue, Warren
strobe back to the green swinging
door, beyond which several of the
others had foraged
did things look clean?" whispered
Helen when he returned with the
spoon.
Didn't notice." indifferently "Ah
here we are!' as Steve slammed be-
fore them two cocktails in plain whis
ky glasses.
The cocktails were dark and sweet
ish and Helen drank hers with dis
taste but it gave her courage to try
the soup.
IF Steve don't bring all you order
(the man opposite reached for his hat
and coat, hustle out and help your
self. That's the rule here"
His place was soon taken by dark
foreign-looking woman with cleaning
black eyes and pallid skin. She
seemed well known here, and was
greeted with careless familiarity.
"One of my blue days as she lii
cigarette with long, nervous hands
How l loathe Sunday. If I'd had a
good dose of cyanide, I'd have shut
fled Off today"
'Oh, we all feel like that at times,
comforted the man with the Vandyke
beard who sat next to her. What
got you hipped today
Il don't know" musingly, watching
the circle of her cigarette smoke, lex,
cept this was the anniversary Of my
divorce"
wouldn't mind a little thing like