Thomas County Cat

SECOND-HAND DINNERS.
A New Trade Which Has Lately Sprung Up in Large Cities.

The immense business of the big hotels and the amount of refuse turned out of them have been the cause of the institution of a new trade. It is that of "broken-food collector." There is a shorter and more pointed term applied to the class by those who deal with them. But this appellation best expresses their business. It may not be generally known, nor may it be appetizing to persons who live at some of the very cheap restaurants about town, that part of the provender served has already made its appearance in far more delectable quarters. But such is the case. Chops and steaks and even other edibles which have occupied the plates of diners in high-toned hotels and have only been nibbled are turned out among the refuse of the kitchen and bought up by big dealers who find all of it available for some purpose, and who make profits of many thousands of dollars at the business, and, first of all, these find a market among the "broken-food collectors." Still shapely steaks and cuts, unembarrassed chops and joints that retain their fiber and juices, are gathered by the collector and by him retailed among the cheap restaurants, where they are served up anew to customers less fastidious or unaware of the "chestnut" character of their meal. Of course, this practice has been generally kept under cover by restaurateurs in deference to the feelings of their own captious patrons. But of late a few of them—notably one on the extreme east side, a little off Grand street, have boldly put themselves forward as champions of the second-hand dinner and announce themselves as such. What is more, there seems to have been no falling off in their custom. In fact, it has increased. And doubtless the philosophy that sends a man to a dealer in mitts or second-hand clothing with an expectation of finding raiment of superior texture and cut at very low rates has led the patrons of these restaurants to willingly expend a small sum for savory viands which they think but little discounted by having lain on some less hungry but more wealthy being's dish.—N. Y. Herald.