The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-25
HOW CELEBRITIES PAY BILLS.

Many an artist has ere now settled
a score run up at a tavern by paint
ing sign, for Boniface George Morland
painted several, while his friend Ibbetson
did one in settlement of a bill owing to
the landlord of an inn at Troutbeck. Har-
low likewise paid a bill at the Queen
Charlotte, Epson, with a front and pack
view of that queen, cone in Sir Thomas
Lawrence's style and signed '"r. L.
much to the horror of the famous and
ultra-respectable academician.
Singers, too, have found their art avail
them under like circumstances. Once,
when staying at an inn in remote
Spanish village, Mario, when 1t came to
paying the bill, discovered Mat he had
not sufficient money. So he explained who
he was to the host and promised to for
ward the amount Immediately. But
Boniface, who clearly had his doubts
as to his guests identity, remarked that
If he were indeed the great singer he
would take a song in quittance of the
debt. Mario readily agreed to this prop
osition, and left with a clean slate
The celebrated dancer Taglioni was
once in a similar predicament. She gave
her name; the landlord grinned decided
doubts as to her veracity. Angry, yet
amused at the fellows attitude, she bade
him push the table aside, and there and
then gave him such a specimen of her
Terpischorean ability that when she quit
ted the inn an hour later her bill was
handed to her with an obsequious bow,
receipted
During one of his walking tours Prof.
Wilson put UP at an inn, where for four
days he thoroughly enjoyed himself-so
much, indeed, that when the pill was
presented the money in his pocket by no
means equaled it's amount. Here was
quandary from which the host well
known local athlete, suggested an escape
| in the shape of a wrestling bout with
himself, on the result Of which should
| depend a receipt In full for his guest or
| the latter's appearance before the near
| est justice as a swindler. Wilson, who
! was frst-class wrestler promptly &C
cepted the challenge, which, it is need
| less to say, resulted in its giver's dis
| comfiture.
| Somewhat similar was the experience
| of that American genius, Edgar Allen
Poe although the contest in this case
| was to determine whether he or the land
| lord of a Boston hotel, where he had
run up q long bill, was the better jump
| err Boniface was so sure of MS superior
| ity that he staked the total of his enest s
| account against S5-long odds which were
by no means justified by the event, which
| the poet. who was noted for his agility,
| won by over two feet.
| The late DR.. Steinitz. the celebrated
chess player, used to relate how on enc
occasion, while staying at a small Ger
man inn, the proprietor, unaware CT his
| identity, offered to board him for
| week free if he could defeat him at chess;
the alternative being the forfeiture of 40
marks Steinitz agreed to the terms,
| and although, needless to say, he was
| victorious, he used to aver that the inn
keeper gave him one of the best games
| of his life.
Robert Houdin, the conjurer, once
found himself withoYt money. Nothing
daunted he entered a hotel and ordered
dinner An excellent repast was served ;;
the bill was presented. Would the land
lord take glass of wine? With pleas
ure. Then prestidigitation ran riot. From
every conceivable object came every
conceivable article, while Boniface, him
self literally moulted spoons. forks and
knives To amazement succeeded ter
ror, and when fire began to issue from
the mouth of his guest he besought
him. whom he doubtless took for old
Nick in person. to quit at once and never
mind payment.
Lord Norbury, chief justice Of Ireland,