Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-05-19
Tom smith and mis- western
FEIend.

All the landlords of Bost.s ,.,u..I.
Tom Smith, for Tom was a eenius sn5
was never known to pay his hotel Bill. n
IL ives possible to avoid IL, and the reason
which ne gave for declining to tiay bia
board bill was good one-he had no mon.
ey.
One morning Tom was seated in the da.,
room of hotel, wondering how he was %
obtain dinner, and thinking what excus-
es he should offer the landlord. Then he
glanced at bis clothes. His coat bad been
renovated BY scourer, for whom he had
written love letter, his hat had been iron.
ed by good nstured halter, his dickex
was passable, and no gentleman would
think Ut examining the EXTERN ties of HE
covering, or pry into the 'shIfts' be had
been put to for a shirt.
Near Tom was q Western man. who
looked rich, good natured, aud vulnerable:
90 Tom, approaching him in a very bland
and friendly manner, remarked:
Excuse me, sir, bot you look 90 ike an
old friend of mine, Charlie SCOTT, who re-
sided for years in Chicago, that can't hello
addressing YOU
L am from Chicago, SIR answered the
stranger, cOurteousiy, but rot the persoH
you speak of; know him however, and
am glad to encounter a friend of his
That's it, said Tom to himself, got
him as easy as rolling of log
An animated conversation eusued which
ended bS Tom being asked to dine. and
when the gong proclaimed the table spf5ad
in walked Tom and the stranger arm-in.
arm. lie called the walters with 40 air OF
ease, passed the strangers wine with
friendly freedom, laughed musically, Jest.
ed with spirit, used bis napkin with grace
and in short, completely captivated the
Western man
AT length tfe indignant landlord not;c.
ed Tom, and forthwith sent a servant in
to order him from the table Tom had
come 1t" over him for 80 many odd din
ners, without shadow Of prospect for nav
that be could stand it no longer. The ser.
want approached, whispered in his -esI.
and stepped aside to give him chance 10
move. Tom clutchcd the wine bottle, with
the Intention OF burling it at bis head, but
altered his purpose, and poured out a glass
OF wine, drank it, looked daggers at the
servant, and IN moment smiled upon his
new friend.
Would you believe it, SAID Tom 20 tbe
Westerner, that since my absence from
the city for few days, a rival house of
on: shipping firm has whispered the pos
sibility Of our failure, and this rsscaiiy
landlord having heard the calumny, has
lnsulted me here ct the table by sending a
servant to demand the triHinn sum owe
him.
The gentleman from Chicago was high.
ly indignant. -,
Here he said, take my pocket boob
and make use of it, ~ d,
You're very kind said Tom. Il will
borrow this thousand dollar bill for a mo-
ment-I know that the rascal can't chan =
it,
With aO air of offended dignity, Tom an.
preached the Office of the hotel. The land
lord, browning with anger, stood at the
desk. Tom put his hand to his eyes as II
hiding deep emotion, and addressing the
landlord IN broken voice, said:
i never dreamed of such an insult from
| you, sir, at such a time, too, Just as nv
uncle in the West has expired-apd his
agent with me to deliver up the portion
! bequesthed to me- it is-it-sir, cannot
express in language, my feelings. Take
out of this the paltry sum / owe 51u,"-
throwing down the thousand dollar bill
''and henceforth l will never enter YOUR
door. Just at time, too be further ad-
ded, when had intended to make your
house my own and endeavor to make some
return for your fOrbearance. 1t is to much
my feelings are lacerated.' :.
Alas! for the landlords sagacity. He
was made dupe Of, and with q dozen
apologies begged Toms pardon, refusing
to change the bill. Tom was mulifed.e
lie made up with the landlord, returned
the bill to Che Western gentleman, and
continued TO pstrOnize the the hotel for
SIX months, at the end Of which time be
was kicked into the street, for the landlord
found he had been sold, and that Tom was
as poor as ever.
Tom is still alive, and manages to pick
up dinneI once in while. but be il
growing seedy fast, and has left the first
class hotels, much to the delight Of the
landlords.