The Monitor-register., 1896-04-17
A TIP FOR TOURISTS.
MAKING TENANTS PAY FOR BREAK
AGE THEY DID NOT CAUSE.

How Thrifty Paris Makes 1t Cheaper For
American Who Beat the Game The
Way 1t Is Done In England.
Before going abroad it is meet that
the unsuspecting native should under
stand one Of the ways he is expected to
add to the income of thrifty France if
lie means to stay in that country. This
is best illustrated by a veritable expert
cnce. A New Yorker engaged an apart
ment that had been previously occupied
iy a member of his own family. When
the time came for giving it up, the china
Was all spread out on the table, and
monsieur, madame and the concierge
and candles went through the rooms
looking for the damages that would have
to be settled for before the stranger left.
They found the chairs were so injured
they would have to be reseated-so
much. There was a crack in the mirror
over the mantel. A new glass would be
necessary-so much. Passing their
hands under each of the pieces of china
they discovered SO many hicks and dis
hSul0llObtS tudb q AON b6b VI Gnlud
must be bought-so much. every
WE'LL" said the American, settling the
bill at once.
"Now I have paid for the chairs, for
the new glass and the china, haven't II"
Eyes. Monsieur was very amiable. "
"Then they're mine. I always did
want to smash china. Here goes" Rails
ing his cane he brought it down on the
table, and the china flew into fragments.
"This is my mirror. I'll break that
too" Whack went the mirror. The
group was speechless, but they were not
through with this mailman plying his
cane One by one he stuck it through
the seats of the chairs, wrecking them
utterly.
"They are all paid for, you know"
he said, with a gratified smile. For,
you see, his relatives had told him that
when they gave up the apartment they,
too, had paid for reseating the chairs,
replacing the glass and for the damaged
china.
Doubtless the articles had been paid
for many times. Many of the owners of
b1iCcO tOuSidSo HdfO oOOOIuIlul0 clOlOo,
and from these the rooms are furnished.
One set of broken down chairs give place
to another, decrepit sofa succeeds de-
crepit sofa, and each is a constant source
of income.
After a time the wary stranger learns
to protect himself. The is tedi-
Gus, but measurably effective. One fam
iiu affar n raci1apnn of ripo unorc hoa
reduced it to a science. When engaging
al apartment one day is devoted to 60
ing through it with the owner and To-
eating and registering all the blemishes.
Even the stains ON the walls are num-
bered, with descriptive attachments.
The proprietors invariably protest
against such minuteness. "Ah, madame,
between ladies, between persons Of char
a%cter!" But the mistress unrelentingly
| pursues her way. When she gives up
the apartment and the pursuit for dam
ages begins, she has with her her regis
ter, and drawn horses could not make
her pay for a stain if it is recorded in
her book.
In England the matter Is not such a
bCLSOHrl OliO. Ull6H q AOuoo, lOuSlHS VI
al apartment is given up, each party is
represented by IN agent, paid at the rate
of a guinea a day and expenses. These
agents are left to themselves. One Of
the requirements is that everything
must be touched, to S by personal
contact its state. A wall cabinet filled
with curios must be opened and a finger
laid on each piece in order to keep with
in the law. These agents, who are usu-
ally fat and easy going, have an amicable,
sociable time. They are full of apollo
! gies, each to the other.
Nov, dear sir, we are not going to
draw the lines too tightl'
"We, On our part, are quite sure that
| you are disposed to be quite fair"
Thus they glide swiftly through the
piles Of bed linen, over the stacks of
china and make haste to go out and
have Il two hours lunch together. New
York Advertiser.