The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-04-10
A TIP FOR TOURISTS.
MAKING TENANTS PAY FOR BREAK
AGE THEY DID NOT CAUSE.

How Thrifty Paris Makes 1t Cheaper For
the Stranger to Stay Than to Go-An
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
he means to stay in that country. This
is best illustrated by veritable expert
ence A New Yorker engaged an apart
ment that had been previously occupied
by 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 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
agreements that new set of china
must be bought-so much. Every
WE'LL" said the American, settling the
bill at once.
"Now 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 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 a constant source
of income.
After time the wary stranger learns
to protect himself. The manner is tedi-
Gus, but measurably effective. One fam
lily, after residence of nine years, has
reduced it to science. When engaging
an 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
acter!'' 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 a house, lodging or
an apartment is given up, each party is
represented by an agent, paid at the rate
of a guinea day and expenses. These
agents are left to themselves. One Of
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 apollo
gies, each to the other.
"Now, dear sir, we are not going to
draw the lines too tightr'
"We, on our part, are quite sure that
you are disposed to be quite fair. y
Thus they glide swiftly through the
piles of bed linen, over the stacks of
china and make haste to go out and
have two hours lunch together. New
York Advertiser.