"'Having eaten to her satisfaction, she will carefully compare the check which is brought her with the list of prices given upon the printed card, add them up mentally without seeming to do so, and if all is right, pay the bill, giving to the waiter ten per cent of the total amount for a tip. That is, if the check calls for one dollar, the waiter will receive a dollar and ten cents.'"
Ten Per Cent
"What for?" queried Matilda.
"That's his tip," explained the old lady. "That's what I've been tellin' you all along."
"Does it cost ten dollars to go to the city?"
"Not as I know of. The fare used to be four dollars and somethin'. Why?"
"Then why did young Marsh give the station agent a dollar? That's what I want to know."
"You can't find out from me," Grandmother answered, with all evidence of having told the literal truth. "Shall I go on with this piece I'm tryin' to read, or don't you want your mind improved none?"
"I'm willing to have my mind improved, but I'd like the privilege of askin' a question occasionally while it's being done."
"Last week's paper said there was no way of improvin' the mind that was to be compared with readin'. Shall I go on?"
"Yes--go on."
"'If the check calls for a dollar and a half, the waiter will receive an extra fifteen cents for his tip, and so on. In case of any disagreement, always refer to the train officials, who are usually courteous and well-mannered. Should they not be so, however, a threat to write to the President of the railroad will usually be found all sufficient to produce a change of demeanour.
Avoid Making Acquaintances
"'The lady traveller should bear in mind the fact that it is impossible to confine the pleasures and privileges of travel to entirely reputable persons, and should hence keep upon the safe side by making no chance acquaintances, whatever the provocation may be.
"'By wearing dark clothes, preferably her old ones, an unassuming hat, and no jewelry, the lady traveller may render herself inconspicuous and not likely to attract masculine attention. In case of accident it is allowable to accept assistance from anyone, though the train officials are at all times to be preferred. If one desires to know what time it is, how late the train is, how long the train will stop at the next meal station, or when one is due at one's destination, the train officials are the ones to ask.