The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1915-09-10

mabel n. Orner. wait here, and
Warren strod e
through TO what had been the back
parlor OF the once dignified 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 a 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, &C." 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 a man
in shirt sleeves dashing kitchenward
with an overloaded tray.
"Steve's the only food singer here
but he's wonder" 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 a small PAD, "and give 1t to Steve
Then forget IT."
ANY bread up that wayg' 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 of one of the other tables. and
decided not to eat any bread
How about a cocktail" Warren
asked their friend opposite. Can you
get anything to drink here?"
"1f they know you. Take a chance
write 1t down anyway"
Dear, look" Helen was gazing al
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 a 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 1t from her.
Whats the natter" sharply. Nov
no supercilious airs herei'
But, Warren, ! cant very well eat
soup with fork" for only a fork and
black-handled knife were at her
place.
THE spoons are out there in the
pantry-in box to your right" was
the helpful suggestion of a young
woman next to Helen
With the air of a habitue, Warren
strobe back to the green swinging
door, beyond which several of the
others had foraged
Ibid 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 a dark
foreign-ooking woman with cleaning
black eyes and pallid skin. She
seemed well known here. and was
greeted with careless familiarity.
Zone of my blue days" as she lit
a cigarette with long, nervous hands.
How I loathe Sunday! If I'd had a
good dose OF cyanide, I'd have shut
ned of today"
"Oh, We all feel Ike that at times,
comforted the nan 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, Eek
cept this was the anniversary Of my
divorce"