More Than He Expected.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVI, Issue I, 5 January 1901, Page 3

More Than He Expected.

Englishmen know little of the geography of the “States,” and what little they do know does not object to putting Philadelphia next door to Boston, or San Francisco alongside New York. An American and an Englishman, who had become friends aboard ship, had a pleasant encounter about distances on reaching New York. They breakfasted together, and the following conversation ensued: — “I guess I’ll turn out to see Harry after breakfast,” said the Englishman.

“Harry?” queried the American. M>ftly. “Yes, my brother,” explained the Englishman. “I’ve two here. Harry lives in San Francisco and Charlie in Chicago.” “But you’ll be back for dinner?” facetiously asked the American. The Britisher took him seriously. “Sure for dinner, if not for lunch,” he answered. And accompanied by his friend, now thoroughly alive to the humour of the incident, he found himself a few minutes later in the line of ticket buyers in the Grand Central station. “An excursion ticket to San Francisco, stopping at Chicago station on return,” he ordered. The ticket agent put about a quarter of a mile of pasteboard under his stamp, pounded it for a minute or more, thrust it before the explorer, and expectantly waited payment. “When does the train go?” asked the Englishman. “In ten minutes,” was the answer. “How much is it?” “One hundred and thirty-eight dollars and fifty cents.” “What?” gasped the Englishman “How far is it?” “Three thousand miles.” “Dear me! What a country!”