It reminded me of the man who built a tavern in Indiana. A traveler stopped with him one night, and the next morning asked for his bill.
THE ENGLISH LANDLORD.
“Twelve hundred and fifty dollars,” said the landlord, promptly.
“Twelve hundred and fifty dollars for one day! It is outrageous!”
“It is a little high,” said the landlord, “but I’ll tell you how it is. I opened this house exactly a year ago yesterday. I expected to make a thousand dollars the first year, and you are the first customer I have had. I ought to charge you a little more to cover insurance, but I like you, and don’t want to be hard on you. Twelve hundred and fifty dollars will do.”
The English landlord likewise makes out his bill with the calm confidence that he will never see his guest again. He seldom does—if the guest can help it.
