In preparing for this entertainment, Paul first
experienced the manner most of the European artisans have of doing
business and their original way of preparing bills for services
rendered. It was necessary for him to engage a carpenter to build
several small boats for use in the exhibition. Paul asked the
landlord to assist him in making a contract with a workman. With the
accommodating host's help, an agreement was made with a skilled
worker in wood to build six little boats according to specifications
given, for the sum of five lire each. The carpenter had the boats
ready on time, and during the exhibition, constituted himself a sort of
major domo, making himself very busy and very much in the way about
the place, as though he had charge of the entire affair. At the close of
the entertainment, he presented a bill for seventy-five lire, when
according to his contract, it should have been but thirty lire. Paul
refused to pay until the landlord should examine the account and
pronounce it correct. When it was shown to that gentleman, he vigorously
protested against its payment, pronouncing it robbery and compelling
the carpenter to render an itemized account. Following is a copy of the
itemized bill, which will be of interest to business men and artisans of
other countries:
To six boats, per agreement.
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