Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 January 1898 — HOW ELASTIC ARE HOTEL BILLS [ARTICLE]

HOW ELASTIC ARE HOTEL BILLS

Drummers May Beat a Tattoo on Their Employers’ Bank Account. "How much shall I make out your bill for?” Inquired the country hotel clerk, as the guest was leaving. “Make It out; for what I owe,” replied the man, a little surprised. “The bill is $6,” continued the clerk, with an ingratiating smile, “but I’d lust as soon make It out for $9 or (10. it’s all the same to us.” “Perhaps it is,” the puzzled guest extlalmed, “but it isn't to me. Why should I pay (9 or (10 when my bill 1* |M” “Aren’t you a drummer?” the clerk suddenly demanded. “Certainly not” There was a pause knd then the guest suddenly de manded: “What's all this business about fake bills, any way F’ “We always make out bills to suit tor drummers,” exclaimed the clerk, “bo’s they can come out even on their expense accounts. A traveling man Who pays us (6 can get a receipt for (10 if he likes, and when he settles with his employers he shows them the reeeipted bill and pockets the difference, I thought you were a drummer,” “No, I’m noh” replied the guesk "but I know a good many drummers. In fact, I employ about a hundred, and I [ notice that when they come to this ' town they always stop at this hotel I observe also that Ilfs a (2 joint and that Tm always charged (3.50. Never mind, though, I’ll lay for the next man who stops here.” And as he went out the clerk looked as If he thought he bad put his foot right In It and the foot was held there. -New York Herald.

It Was Nothing Extraordinary. One of the stock of ancient legends relating to the Rock of Gibraltar relates how a young Scotch subaltern was on guard duty with a brother officer, when the latter in visiting the sentries fell over a precipice and was killed. When the survivor wao relieved from duty, he made the usual form, “Nothing extraordinary.” And this brought the brigade major down upon him in a rage. “What, when your brother officer on duty with you has fallen down a precipice 400 feet high and been killed, you report nothing exraordinary?” “Weel, sir,” replied the Scot, calmly. “I dlna think there’s onything exuuorJtoary in it. If he Lad fallen down four hunder* feet and not been killed—weel I should has cad kU At extrornarwJP