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THE SURLY GUEST One day John Randolph , of Roanoke , [ Footnote : Ro'a noke . ] set out on horseback to ride to a town that was many miles from his home . The road was strange to him , and he traveled very slowly . When night came on he stopped at a pleasant roadside inn and asked for lodging . The innkeeper welcomed him kindly . He had often heard of the great John Randolph , and therefore he did all that he could to entertain him well . A fine supper was prepared , and the innkeeper himself waited upon his guest . John Randolph ate in silence . The innkeeper spoke of the weather , of the roads , of the crops , of politics . But his surly guest said scarcely a word . In the morning a good breakfast was served , and then Mr . Randolph made ready to start on his journey . He called for his bill and paid it . His horse was led to the door , and a servant helped him to mount it . As he was starting away , the friendly innkeeper said , " Which way will you travel , Mr . Randolph ? " Mr . Randolph looked at him in no gentle way , and answered , " Sir ! " " I only asked which way you intend to travel , " said the man . " Oh ! I have I paid you my bill ? " " Yes , sir . " " Do I owe you anything more ? " " No , sir . " " Then , I intend to travel the way I wish to go — do you understand ? " He turned his horse and rode away . He had not gone farther than to the end of the innkeeper's field , when to his surprise he found that the road forked . He did not know whether he should take the right - hand fork or the left - hand . He paused for a while . There was no signboard to help him . He looked back and saw the innkeeper still standing by the door . He called to him : — " My friend , which of these roads shall I travel to go to Lynchburg ? " " Mr . Randolph , " answered the innkeeper , " you have paid your bill and don't owe me a cent . Travel the way you wish to go . Good - by ! " As bad luck would have it , Mr . Randolph took the wrong road . He went far out of his way and lost much time , all on account of his surliness . III John Randolph , of Roanoke , lived in Virginia one hundred years ago . He was famous as a lawyer and statesman . He was a member of Congress for many years , and was noted for his odd manners and strong self - will . THE STORY OF A GREAT STORY Two hundred years ago there lived in Scotland a young man whose name was Alexander Selkirk . He was quarrelsome and unruly . He was often making trouble among his neighbors . For this reason many people were glad when he ran away from home and went to sea . " We hope that he will get what he deserves , " they said . He was big and strong and soon became a fine sailor . But he was still headstrong and ill - tempered ; and he was often in trouble with the other sailors .
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