The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-12-28
RUNNING IN DEBT.


more culpable among certain classes OF peo-
pie in this age and country. than that of
running in debt. 1t is always disagreeable
to have "to pay for dead horses :" and as
horses. like all other things, are liable to
die or be destroyed, it is much better 70 have
them already paid for. A person rarely
earns money to pay an old debt, with that
alacrity and satisfaction which attends the
laborcr who can look forward to the time
when he shall receive the reward of his ir.
dustry. If want an article, therefore, Ell
ther for necessity, comfort or convenience,
always earn it first, and verify believe de-
rive as much pleasure in laboring to obtain
the means of buying it as Its actual posses
sion subsequently affords. Besides, the con-
seriousness that it is mine and paid for, at
fords an additional zest to its enjoyment. In
this way, avoid the duns that so vex some
of my neighbours.-I am not afraid to see a
clerk or apprentice coming up street with
his hand full of bills to collect, since know
he can have none for me: l never 60 out of
my way to avoid the sight of creditor, or
feel horror struck at meeting sheriff or
constable on the side. walk. In short, tho
by no means wealthy, confess feel a kind
of independence aud self-approbation-
kind of consequence, if you please to term it,
and why should not? if l enter store to
inquire for an article, the merchant and his
clerks always greet me with smiling faces
show me their very best, and put it at their
lowest price, because they know | always
pay on the spot tor what purchase. The
mechanic serves me in the handsomest style;
nor have i reason to complain of want ofpun-
tuality in my shoemaker, notwithstanding
what has been said about the lack ofmemory
incident to that trade. One thing know
he never forgets to do nv Job, whatever
theirs may say about hinl.--He knows that
'money makes the mare co."
Affairs are differently managed by my
neig ghbour Tom. He is alwaysin debt always
complaining of hard times, and wanting to
borrow money to pay off an old debt on
which a suit is threatened. He goes to his
work with a heavy heart and long face,
which evidently shows that his employment
is irksomc to him. Of course he does not
work so many hours in day, or with such
despatch as he might, because he knows
that all his earnings are going to help pay
old debts;--pcrhaps to pay for provisions
long since consumed, or for clothes already
worn out. Now all neighbour Toms trou-
bles arise from his entertaining false be-
lief, that hoor folks must run in debt. A
more absurd notion, or fatal error never ex-
istcd. But strange as it may seem, many
of my other neighbours are of Toms way Of
thinking, and like him will not be reasoned
ont oft. My maxim is, hoor teohie shouid
neUer run in debt. and for this very reason,
among others, that they are poor and can
not afford it. For say what you will to the
contrary, merchants and mechanics will sell
cheaper for cash than on credit. If rich
man, who has the means of payment at com
mand, is disposed to contract debts, let him
it he will. But before poor man requests
to be trusted, he should recollect that by SO
doing he subjects himself to the will and ca
to be locked up in Jail whenever the creditor
says the word, which will be, whenever he
dispeases the creditor, or quits trading at
his store, because he finds the prices higher
than at other places. One more of Toms
false notions and l have done. He, in COM
mon with others, who pursue similar
course of bad economy, is always grumbline
about imprisonment tor debt. say it is a
good law. 1t never troubled me any more
than the law against high way robbery, and
do not mean it shall; if any one is fool e.
nough to lay himself liable to its penalty, he
ought to suffer for his folly.
sd rod for the fools backs
1t is no wonder that such people should
complain of Imprisonment for debt, since,
| 'None ever felt the halter draw,
With good opinion of the law.''
FRANKLIN.