South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-05-06
BY William K. Grimm

against accidents we progressed toward the line OF
chairs. Fortunately, preparedness
unnecessary in this instance and we reached
tnations without mishap. AS munching the
ham and bun and mustard quietly observed our
surroundings.
o the truth there wasn't much 10 look at
hour 1870 and the only other persons in the
place the employees. one painting signs
on the window outside,-announcing strawberry
shortcake some such thing addition the
evenings The kid gathering the dishes
left by departed customer, and behind the counter
the boys beginning arrange things for the
hour rush. At the water-cooler two men were
partaking ice
With hopes. though. we continued to munich our
sandwiches and shortly patience rewarded.
Two customers came in-girls apparently of high
school age. They looked calmly exchanged
"once overs" Cor in lives justified
in doing such thing-it was all a part of our work.
gained their attention, they
chairs opposite and began pass inaudible
ments each other, with slightly yelled in
general direction
They looked in vain for a waiter. They and
talked, but came to take their orders. sug-
gestOn of annoyance could be plainly seen, and this
became still more plain as they talked Finally one
o boys the water-cOoler took pity and
informed them the proper way to about get
ting meal Giggling to cover whatever embarrass-
ment they felt they went up to the counter and
dered BY this time we had completely consumed our
sandwiches, and after lingering moment what
would develop. left the lunch room.
into elevator and TO the top floor of
one of South Bends sky scrapers We secured table
by one of the windows, and while waiting for
sandwiches watched the panorama of the city spread
below Almost directly west, a good two miles
hOuetted against the rosy sky and to the south line
o blowers stood out, making the shadows resemble
a battleship, with mysterious machines deck
Don't you think that looks like ship" 1 asked
my friend.
I'm way it does Speaking of ships reminds me
OF a story. Shall tell it?"
is it about Ham Sandwiches?
Its about sandwiches. Once there shipload
of calendars being to China. and the boat
got wrecked on a desert island, and sailors didn't
anything to eat What do you suppose they
dd?"
ala
They ate the sand-which-is there"
That's a ham joke, all right" I retorted The
dates would have made better food"
Further hostites postponed by the arrival of
our order,-dainty little slices.
The third place around the corner. Wash
ington We reached there shortly after 5. With
cheerful, Hello. Charlie to the gray-haired be
hind the counter, seated ourselves and ordered
ham sandwich apiece, and then watched while our
host sliced the bread and ham and filled our order
While eating he came over to table close to
ours and sat down.
We'll hows ev'ryt'ing?' he asked. eve had been
in before, and he knew u.s. What t'ink Of
ware"
Well dunno War might last year two year
maybe tree year-maybe six mont'-can tell
That kaiser-that kaiser-he-." Whatever Charlie
was going to say about kaiser was by
the ringing OF the telephone bell
A short while after $3.50 the main thoroughfsre OF
city CMchgan St. if there's any doubt becomes
almost like in much larger city. 1t then
that the downtown stores release their armies of
pOyes, and for few minutes Michigan St is filled 70
overlooking. Larry and I watched this sudden tide OF
humanity. watched il poured the sluce-
gates and spent itself in the various chan
nels which 10 the residence districts But follow
ing close the heels the crowd of shopfoIk
a period Of calm-then the theater crowd and
goes and more Michigan ST. is less de
serted. unless the night happens Saturday,-in
which Of this holds good
BY 1880 the streets begin TO look lonely and after
the temporary respite afforded by the picture
fans they are, indeed. worthy Of small town" One
bv one passersby disappear and the city goes
sleep II somewhat earlier than 1880 when
visited the cafe and grill OF OF the hotels" (by
courtesy of the city and. usual. ordered