The Holbrook news., 1912-04-26

with you, and seems to have been well acquainted wherever you went You are confident that he has saved you money, and naturally you feel grateful toward him.
 The fact of the matter is that he has been driven all over the city at your expense; he has lunched and dined with you, to say nothing of the midnight bite at the Cafe Weber; and if you have spent the sum of 200 francs during the afternoon and eve ming you may rest assured that gold and silver amounting to some 80 or 100 francs-once yours-is safe in one of the pockets of the guides fashion ably cut trousers.
 It was one the privilege of the writ CT to listen to the absinthe inspired condolences of a number of American guides" and panhandlers. A young man wearing a frock coat and well ironed silk topper approached the table and begged for the privilege of few words with me. His linen was spotless-his story seemed flawless. He had, so he said, been robbed in Montmartre while seeing the town few nights before. He had cabIed for funds, but a heartless landlord had locked up his ten suits of clothing and turned him into the street Would kindly come to his relief with a small loan for few days until the arrival of his draft? He exhibited typewrit- ten cable message which looked prom ising, and the tears came to my eyes as I thought of his predicament and overpeppered my bouillon.
 I'm sorry can't help you out" told him. You see, this happens to be my third visit to Paris, and I've heard all about these heartless land lords and delayed drafts before. Those sleeve buttons of yours ought to fetch enough at the Mont de Piete to tide you over for a few days should you be on the level"
 The man in the frock coat was about to slink away, when asked him to join me and have an aperitif. Over an absinthe-au-sucre he waxed conf denttal and told me his story.
 You're wise, said he. as he sur veyed the opalescent contents of his glass. There sure is a bunch of American grafters over here having pretty soft time. I've only been over here two months, but some of the push have been here for years"
 He helped himself to my cigarettes and continued:
 Paris is a cheap place to live in. A perfect dinner costs very little. The rent of a nice room is about half what you have to pay in New York, less than that once you can speak French and know how to make a bargain Clothing of the best sort can be had can be hired for about twice the prics of a carfare in the states.
 "Pickings are good during the tour ist season, and the only kick that the boys have is on the French shoes and cigarettes. Several of the bunch i'm. port their own smokes. Of course. the favorite graft is the American tourist. He always has money, and ia over here to spend 1t and have a good time If we spin good yarn about hard luck it's pretty easy to make a touch" for louis, and most any New Yorker will fall for a fve-franc piece"
 'T used to keep a set of books in Cleveland" another American grafteF told me over a glass of Algerian ''Bor- deaux" in little brasserie in the Rue Vignon- "Pd saved bit of money and felt too strong to push pen any long CT, so came over here to take in the sights. went broke the third day after my arrival, and as found so many people willing to help me I've stayed here ever since. Paris is all right after you've lived here awhile and know the ropes. I'm here going on seven years now, and I expect tq