From a Kerbstone Hotel.

Otago Witness, Issue 2368, 20 July 1899, Page 62

From a Kerbstone Hotel.

'" It ain't all profit, by; a long way," was an all-night coffee-stall keeper's reeont comment on his calling. '"It's true there's no rent to pay, and the takings at a good ' pitch ' are heavy, that I don't, 1 deny. But all the good ' pitches ' are taken, and a new man has to pay pretty heavy even to stand where nobody stood before him. ! I tried that game on, and the keepers of two 'stalls near by sent a lot of rowdies U upset me night after night, till at last I'bought one of them out. '' Yes, I'vp regular customers — gentlemen as spend their 6d or 8d s with me every night, besides the penny tead and coffees and such like. Bub we have ti sell our stuff wonderI fill cheap, so the profit is cut pretty fine; J thi'ippenco ain't much for a egg, twe good j slices of bread an' butter, and a cup of tea — now is it? " But it's what \\>e give away that takes the gilt off. Some ,-bf the police have supper here, and never think of payin' ; if I cut up rusty I get reported for ' obstruction,' you see. Then I've gpt to trust a lot of folk, and oven lend 'em. a trifle at times, or I should lose their trado when they are better off again. "' And the worst is the gangs of street roughs that com ess tip, calls for just what they—like^ and very likely smashes a few cups and plates for a lark. If I ask for my mpney, or speak a rough word, the crockery come 3 flying at my head, or I'm dragged outside- and booted, and as likely as not my stall i 3 wrecked. The polijie can do nothing with a gang like that; if Ahoy interfered one night I'd catch, it worse the next, so I just have to grin and bear it.' But it takes, a big discount off my makings, .;. you can believe me, and altogether 1' don't 1 clear, more than a guinea a week."