English Barmaids.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 65, 30 August 1884, Page 5

English Barmaids.

Tub Liverpool correspondent of an American journal writes :— I had, however, other reasons for wishing to visit the bar besides a desire to quench my thirst. I had often heard of but never yet seen an English barmaid, and I was eager to interview a being I had heard so much of, so I was guided by an obsequious waiter through tortuous passages to the billiard-room where the bar was situated. When the door opened a "vision" burst at once on my ontranced gaze. Yes, there she stood, a real "English barmaid," and a mighty pretty one to boot. She had fair hair and black eyes, a contrast rarely seen, and was dressed in plain black with white collar and culls, and on her well-shaped aristrocratic-looking little head she had a bewitching Mother Hubbard cap. I was, at first, rather at a loss what to drink. I knew "cockstails " were not comme il faut, and when I asked for whisky straight she replied, "Scotch or Irish?" I thought she was inquiring my nationality, so replied, "No, American, from Chicago." "Sorry we don't keep any, sir," said she, with a smile that made mo shake down to my boots, I afterwards learned thai she meant Scotch or Irish whisky, but I didn't venture to repeat the request, so fell back to what I thought was sure to be right, namely, brandy and soda. But here again I was destined to be nonplussed, for with the same bewitching smile that had first captivated me she said, " Will you havo ' four ' or 'six?'" and "do you want a 'whole' or a ' baby ?' " This was Greek to me, so I mado a bold stroke and requested " six " and a •' baby." There is nothing like a practical demonstration to teach a man, and I found that "six and a baby" meant six penny worth of brandy and a half -bottle of soda water. I then tried to enter into conversation with ITcbe, but found her cold as steel. All the little " mashing " arts I knew of were brought into play, but fell as flat as pancakes. At last 1 remembered that an English friend in Chicago had told me to mention his name to any barmaid in England, and I would be sure of a hearty welcome, so I tried the " open sesame " with my Hebe, and well did the charm work. No longer were the lovely eyes downcast, or did the little rose-bud mouth refuse to open, but at the very mention of the name the eyes sparkled and the lissome tongue began to wag. ' ' How was he ? Had he grown stouter ? Was ho doing well?" etc., finishing up with "Now, please drink that off, and I will mix you one of his favourite drinks." And right deftly did she do it, too, in a manner that would make our best barmen green with envy. During my stay in Liverpool I had many talks with her, and found her a highly educated and accomplished girl.