The Press., 1896-12-24
A TIP FOR TOURISTS.
MAKING TENANTS PAY FOR BREAK
 AGE THEY DID NOT CAUSE.

Il ,w Thrifty Paris Makes 1t Cheaper For the Stranger to Stay Than to GO-An American Who Beat the Game Tho Way 1t Is Done In England.
 Before going abroad it is meet that he unsuspecting native should under stand one of the ways he is expected to add to the income of thrifty France if ne means to stay in that country. This is best illustrated by veritable experi- snce. A New Yorker engaged an apart ment that had been previously occupied y a member of h;s'own family. When ho time came for giving it up, the china vas all spread out on the, table, and monsieur, madame and the concierge md 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 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 hey discovered so many hicks and dis 6gurements that new set of china must be >bought-so much. "Very we'll" said the American, settling the oill at once.
 "Now l, have paid for the chairs, for the new glass and the china, haven't IF"
 "Yes Monsieur was very amiable."
 "Then they're mine. l always did want to smash china. Here goes. " Rais- 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 madman 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 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 these lodgings have secondhand stores, 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 constant source of income.
 After a time the wary stranger learns to protect himself. The manner is tedi- ous, but measurably effective. One fam fly, after a residence of nine years, has reduced it to,a science. When engaging an apartment one day is devoted to go- ing through it with the owner and To- eating and reg stering 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 acter l" 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 stain if it is recorded in her book.
 In England the matter is not such a personal one. When house, lodging or an apartment is given up, each party is represented by an agent, paid at the rate of guinea day and expenses. These agents are left to themselves. One O1 the requirements is that everything must be touched, to assure by personal contact it's state. A wall cabinet filled with curios must be opened and 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 apolo gies, each to the other.
 "Now, dear sir, we are not going tc draw the lines too tightr'
 "We, on our part, are quite sure that you are disposed to be quite fair ''
 Thus they 6 idle swiftly through the piles of bed linen, over the stacks oi china and make haste to go out and have two hours lunch together. New York Advertiser.