Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-12-25
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SWINDLES OF WATERS.
How Guests Mt Cafes and Hotels Arc vio-
timixed and Deceived.

How Guests Mt Cafes and Hotels Arc vio-
timixed and Deceived.
Said returned tourist to reporter
last evening: II see 1t don't take long
for the walters on this side of the wa
ter to adopt European tactics when u
is to their personal advantage"
What, for instanceP"
s.From long and not unsual expert
ence In cafes In various parts OF the
wcald, | have adopted the custom OF
looking carefully over the itemized bill
brought me for my meals and compar-
ing it with the prices on the bill OF
fare. That is what an itemized bill
is for, and not simply to look like
washing list. The other night when
dining rather literally at one OF the
up town hotels, remarked discrep-
ancy as between the account presented
and the change returned from the bill
gave the waiter.
1T was only fifty cents short, but ]
called the walters attention TO the
fact. He seemed astonished and count
ed the change twice. then, lifting the
bill OF items from the plate where II
rested with the change, his features
were spread with u satisfied smile as
two quarters OF a dollar appeared
Hereunder His hilarity disappeared,
though, when | told him that l had
spent time and money enough in Paris
to know that trick we'll. and always
rewarded them there, as ! proposed to
do with him. by emitting his accas-
toned fec"
What Is the trickP" aueried the re-
porter.
Don't you see that by hiding two
or three coins under the list in that
way when returning the change TO a
careless man who does not count his
change, he would receive his tip and
the hidden coin also, but when serv-
Ing more careful person, myself for
instance, and n recount was called for,
the missing coin could DO found and nc
suspicion Of dishonesty attach to the
waiter. unless fellow got tired o.
having the same old chestnut played
too often. There are other tricks be-
side that for capturing the careless,
said the tourist. zone that Is prac
ticed In France. whore gold louis and
half louis ARE tho most common coin
IN circulation, is when tho waiter re
ceivas louis he puts IL between hi
teeth, or seems SO To do. You SEQ tn
gold right their in plain sight all tn
time. but he gives you change for
half louis only,
.'You Immediately call his attention
10 the fact and remark that II was
louis you gave him. But no, sir h
says, SEQ there, and takes the col
from between his teeth and behold
81 only half louis. You are puzzled
for you were confident that 1t cam
from the little spring case TINT ha
louis would not TT, and can not III
count for IL until you learn that he ha
had the half louis in his mouth wal
ing for Just such an occasion. The onl
safe way, therefore, Is the moment 70
zee your louis going toward his montl
lot the battle begin. and tell him to l.
II remain ON the table until the chanl
Il givon. That Ia not ALL for In u
supper rooms at the various cafes
Paris the number OF the room il plac,
right over the column OF figures ai
added la with the total amount. su
pose II the room were not number
they would add In the date; any thin
In fact, 10 make the amount bigger"
~ y, telegram.