This story introduces us to Mariposa, a small Canadian town full of colorful characters and quirky charm. At the center is Mr. Smith, the owner of the local hotel, who faces trouble when his liquor license is threatened.
Instead of giving up, he cleverly builds a fancy cafĂ© to win over the town—complete with a French chef and absurdly cheap prices. Through humor and wit, the story pokes fun at small-town politics, pride, and the way people can be swayed by good food and grand gestures.
In the end, the story celebrates Mariposa’s quirks while gently mocking human nature—how easily people change their minds when it suits them.
Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://americanliterature.com/author/stephen-leacock/book/sunshine-sketches-of-a-little-town/one-the-hostelry-of-mr-smith