The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-10-21
Married Life
Helen's Faith In Warren's Business
Acumen Has a Rude Shock.

nut it's in the basement of one
Hlese new corner buildings aroune
here"
But dear, they're all Office build
ings.' protested Helen.
We'll, he said it was principally
luncheon place, but they We're run
ming a mighty good dinner just Tor al
advertisement. Oh, there it is, point
Ing with his cane to an electric sign
Cafe Shurman."
They entered through the marble
rotunda of large office building. no"
deserted except for one elevator boy
and Waterman. Another care
Shurman" sign with an arrow was
pointing down the marble steps.
L don't believe there'll be anybody
here" murmured Helen as they went
down
We'll We'll get something to eat
You can count on good food at new
place.
He pushed through a green swing
ing door and they found themselves in
balcony overlooking the main res
taurant. Yhe balcony was dark and
the tables without cloths. but below
a Few people were dining.
His Theory Correct.
The head waiter, seeing them. ran
solicitously up the balcony steps.
We're not open up there at night
yet" he apoIogized as he led them
down. but it's crowded for luncheon.
Served over 500 today"
That's doing well.'' commented
Warren. mot open long-are your"
Just week tomorrow, SIR" as he
seated them with flourish.
In spite of the artificial plants and
red panelled walls, to Helen the place
seemed bare and uninteresting, and
there was a strong cellar like odor of
cement. But Warren liked to try new
restaurants, and his theory that at
least they all start out to give good
food was proven here.
The head waiter had recommended
the regular dinner. We're running
a Very good seventy-five cent dinner
formed them. And it WAS good, sur
prisingly good.
"How can they do it for that price,"
wondered Helen. You can tell every
things freshly cooked. Aren't these
smelts delicious?"
"Oh, they're probably losing money
on this dinner" declared Warren,
They won't keep it up long, but they
have to do something to get started.
That's the game-get the trade, get
the people coming. Then put up the
prices and cut down the portions.
Here the proprietor. a stout gray
haired German, who had been hover
ing solicitously about, approached to
their table.
Getting served all right. sir?''
Yes, everything's very good. You're
putting up a pretty fair dinner here
Tor seventy-five cents"
We're trying to, sir. That's what
I've built up my reputation on-good
.ood. the best in the market
Then you've been in this business
oefore?" asked Warren
Was down on Fulton street for
twenty years. Had the biggest lunch
'rade anywhere around. But it's
changing down there now" with a
1ote Of regret in his voice, mot the
same class of people any more"
"Oh, | see" said Warren, all your
lid customers moved uptown and you
lad to come too. That it?.'
lis Large Expenses.
That's it, sir. But my rent and ex-
'enses are much higher here-that's
Why I'm trying for a dinner trade"
No reason why you shouldn't set
in this neighhorhood. But 1 guess |
he rent is pretty stiff" Then with !
IN appraising glance around, ''How |
many feet have you here-kitchen |
torerooms and all?"
Nine thousand five hundred sir. |
What do you think / should pay?"
We'll, let's see," thoughtfully Il
hould say around here it would be |
bout dollar a foot, bout ten thous-
nd year,"
We'll, sir" he fairly beamed, |
you're the first man that's guessed any
'here near it. They all put it way |
nder that. pay just eleven thousand |
We hundred and got a five years
ease
Hope you'll make good declared
warren heartily. Give the people
ecent food. treat 'em right, and
ley're sure to come back. That's the
hing in the restaurant business-to
ct the people coming back"
Yes sir, and that's what we're try
lg TO do"
Then, as the waiter brought on the
ext course. praised beef tongue and
lctantiy away. Plainly he liked to
anding listener. And Warren was al
avs in his element when talking any
nd of shop" to any one
Dear. you're wonderfult' mlrmered
ellen. How could you guess the rent
closelye Over a thousand dollars :
month for this basement: Why that
'ems awful: How can they make
lything?" glancing around at the
andful Of people They've hardly
i'd for the ligt tonigt"
We'll. can't establish place like .
is in day. YOU know. But that G
lows all right. He looks like he
lew the business. and I'll wager he r
es his own marketing" r
There We're only three other diners Il
It now. and in a little while the pro-