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which our compatriots are living。
The habit of laying such faults to the climate is but a poor excuse。 Our
grandparents and their parents lived peaceful lives beneath these same
skies； undisturbed by the morbid influences that are supposed to key us to
such a painful concert pitch。
There was an Indian summer languor in the air as we steamed up the
bay last October； that apparently invited repose； yet no sooner had we set
foot on our native dock； and taken one good whiff of home air； than all our
acquired calm disappeared。 People who ten days before would have sat （at
a journey's end） contentedly in a waiting…room； while their luggage was
being sorted by leisurely officials； now hustle nervously about； nagging
the custom…house officers and egging on the porters； as though the saving
of the next half hour were the prime object of existence。
Considering how extravagant we Americans are in other ways it seems
curious that we should be so economical of time！ It was useless to struggle
against the current； however； or to attempt to hold one's self back。 Before
ten minutes on shore had passed； the old； familiar； unpleasant sensation of
being in a hurry took possession of me！ It was irresistible and all…
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pervading； from the movements of the crowds in the streets to the whistle
of the harbor tugs； everything breathed of haste。 The very dogs had
apparently no time to loiter； but scurried about as though late for their
engagements。
The transit from dock to hotel was like a visit to a new circle in the
INFERNO； where trains rumble eternally overhead； and cable cars glide
and block around a pale…faced throng of the damned； who are forced； in
expiation of their sins； to hasten forever toward an unreachable goal。
A curious curse has fallen upon our people； an 〃influence〃 is at work
which forces us to attempt in an hour just twice as much as can be
accomplished in sixty minutes。 〃Do as well as you can；〃 whispers the
〃influence；〃 〃but do it quickly！〃 That motto might be engraved upon the
fronts of our homes and business buildings。
It is on account of this new standard that rapidity in a transaction on
the Street is appreciated more than correctness of detail。 A broker to…day
will take more credit for having received and executed an order for
Chicago and returned an answer within six minutes； than for any amount
of careful work。 The order may have been ill executed and the details
mixed； but there will have been celerity of execution to boast of
The young man who expects to succeed in business to…day must be a
〃hustler；〃 have a snap…shot style in conversation； patronize rapid transit
vehicles； understand shorthand； and eat at 〃breathless breakfasts。〃
Being taken recently to one of these establishments for 〃quick lunch；〃
as I believe the correct phrase is； to eat buckwheat cakes （and very good
they were）； I had an opportunity of studying the ways of the modern time…
saving young man。
It is his habit upon entering to dash for the bill…of…fare； and give an
order （if he is adroit enough to catch one of the maids on the fly） before
removing either coat or hat。 At least fifteen seconds may be economized in
this way。 Once seated； the luncher falls to on anything at hand； bread； cold
slaw； crackers； or catsup。 When the dish ordered arrives； he gets his fork
into it as it appears over his shoulder； and has cleaned the plate before the
sauce makes its appearance； so that is eaten by itself or with bread。
Cups of coffee or tea go down in two swallows。 Little piles of cakes
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are cut in quarters and disappear in four mouthfuls； much after the fashion
of children down the ogre's throat in the mechanical toy； mastication being
either a lost art or considered a foolish waste of energy。
A really accomplished luncher can assimilate his last quarter of cakes；
wiggle into his coat； and pay his check at the desk at the same moment。
The next； he is down the block in pursuit of a receding trolley。
To any one fresh from the Continent； where the entire machinery of
trade comes to a stand…still from eleven to one o'clock； that DEJEUNER
may be taken in somnolent tranquillity； the nervous tension pervading a
restaurant here is prodigious； and what is worse … catching！ During recent
visits to the business centres of our city； I find that the idea of eating is
repugnant。 It seems to be wrong to waste time on anything so
unproductive。 Last week a friend offered me a 〃luncheon tablet〃 from a
box on his desk。 〃It's as good as a meal；〃 he said； 〃and so much more
expeditious！〃
The proprietor of one down…town restaurant has the stock quotations
exhibited on a black…board at the end of his room； in this way his patrons
can keep in touch with the 〃Street〃 as they hurriedly stoke up。
A parlor car； toward a journey's end； is another excellent place to
observe our native ways。 Coming from Washington the other day my
fellow…passengers began to show signs of restlessness near Newark。 Books
and papers were thrown aside； a general 〃uprising； unveiling〃 followed；
accompanied by our objectionable custom of having our clothes brushed
in each other's faces。 By the time Jersey City appeared on the horizon；
every man； woman； and child in that car was jammed； baggage in hand；
into the stuffy little passage which precedes the entrance； swaying and
staggering about while the train backed and delayed。
The explanation of this is quite simple。 The 〃influence〃 was at work；
preventing those people from acting like other civilized mortals； and
remaining seated until their train had come to a standstill。
Being fresh from the 〃other side；〃 and retaining some of my acquired
calm； I sat in my chair！ The surprise on the faces of the other passengers
warned me； however； that it would not be safe to carry this pose too far。
The porter； puzzled by the unaccustomed sight； touched me kindly on the
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shoulder； and asked if I 〃felt sick〃！ So now； to avoid all affectation of
superi