The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1873-08-09
Americans Abroad.
TIE PREY OF EXToRTIoNATE LAND
LORD.

~ "ihei iioh i-ouuou 10 the IOtc0O
Blade remarks that many Americans,
desiring to show their disregard for
money, have been doing it SO long and
so extensively that they have made it
inconvenicnt for those of limited purses
to get along decently. All over the
continent they have spoiled the servants
and the hotel keepers, and caused prices
to be advanced about fifty per cent, on
all their countrymcn. n hotel keeper
looks upon an American rs astreasure
chest, out Of which he is at liberty to
extract as much money as possible, and
he is not backward in making the at
tempt. Aud when an American cndeav
ors to trave! economically he is bject to
a variety OF sights and annoyances, and
will occasionally be told that he does
not behave as literally as his respectable
countrymen' Lon don used to be better
in this respect, than Paris or Rome, but
it is now quite rs bad. The hotels and
lodging houses put on all sorts Of "extras'
and outrageous charges, and frequently
the managers do not hesitate to lie un
bIushingiy in order to extort money
from their patrons. l am quarterad at
a respectable no el, overlooking Convent
Gard N, it was recommended TO me as
comfortable house, and one where the
the charges would be just and correct.
called for my bill yesterday, and told
them I preferred TO pay weekly; thoy
onGeavored to induce me to let it stand
until was ready to go away, but j
insisted, and the bill was brought.
There were extra charges for things
which knew I mover had, and they
had put on an extra shilling for each
morniug's breakfast, after telling me
that could order anything on the bill
o! fare. They charge three pence day
iol stationery, and make every man pay
Tor it whether he writes let er or not
| protested, but it was no use. 1t was
their custom, they said to charge three
pchce day for stationery, and man
might use as much as he wished. Up
to that time had not used sheet of
their paper, but henecftr rth they canno,
complain that | neglected it. | find it
makes good cigar lights, and when go
away from here it will fill up the loose
corners Of my trunk very neatly. If
they make!anything out of me on the
stationery swindel, they must be wider
awake than think they are. 1 paid
their bill under protest, and remained.
Why didn't you go away! somebody
will ask. What is the use in moving
| have had row with them, and though
/ couldn't get that bill reduced l con
vinced them they would uot make much
By trying it on again. gave warning
that | would not pay for another "cxtra
aud have been careful to have none for
which any charge coull be made. If
went to anot .cr hotel I should have the
same row t. go tn rough over again
They are ali alike in this respect and
will ohelt without compunction OF con
science. | am in the position Of the
railway superintendent who refused to
discharge conductor known to be
dishonest, on the ground that the man
had already bonght watch, diamond
pin, horse, and other things out of his
stealings, while the new man, to take
his place, would be obliged to equip
himself in the same way. 1t is better
to bear the ills We have than fly to 9th
ers that may be worse, and are certain
to bejust as bad.