A small businessman, who had emigrated to this country, kept his accounts payable in a cigar box, his accounts receivable on a spindle, and his cash in the cash register. "I don't see how you can run your business this way," said his son. "How do you know what your profits are."

"Son," replied the businessman, "when I got off the boat, I had only 36 cents and the pants I was wearing. Today your sister is an art teacher, your brother is a doctor, and you are an accountant. I have a car, a house, and a good business. Everything is paid for. Just add it all up, subtract 36 cents and the pants, and there's your profit."