Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-08-08
HOW A TAILOR COLLECTED A DEBT
A TRUE STORY.

ATRUE STORY.
Near the close of the last century, a Qua.
ker knight of the shears and thimbIe, who
exercised his avocaton IN Philadelphia, was
imposed upon by an adrot scoundrel, who
contrived to get suit of clothes on credit,
and afterwards soped without paying for
them. The Quaker was too poor to lose the
debt, but like too many others of his cloth,
he had apparently no other alternative. the
account was placed on his book and soon for.
gotten. Some years afterwards he was ex-
aiming his old records of debt and credit,
profit and loss, when his attention was at
tracted to this account, and all the crcrm-
stances attending it came fresh TO his mind.
Suddenly an odd thought suggested ITSELF
I'll try an experiment. said he to HIM
self; perhaps may succeed in catching the
rogue and getting my pay
He Immediately prepared an advertise
ment, in substance as follows, which he had
inserted in the Philadelphia Gazette So If
J--C--,w who was IN Philadelphia
about the month of -, in the year 1895,
paper, he will hear Of something to advan-
tage. Printers in the ncghborng States are
requested to copy The latter clause was
inserted from vague suspicion that the
rogue had taken up his abode in New York.
Having instructed the Editor not TO dis
close his name TO the rogue il he should call,
bu, to request the latter to leave his address,
the Quaker patiently awaited the result of his
experiment. In short time he was inform
ed by note from the printer that the indi-
vidual alluded to in the advertisement, having
arrived from New York, might be found at
given place IN the city.
The tailor lost no time in preparing tran.
script of his account, not forgetting to change
interest from the time that the debt was in
cured. Taking IA constable with him, who
bore a legal process suited to the occasion,
he soon arrived at the lodgings of the swim
der. The constable was instructed to stand
off at a little distance till signal should in
dictate the time for HIM to approach.
The QuaIer now rang the bell, when the
servant appeared, requested him to inform
the gentleman Of whom he was in search,
that friend wished 10 speak with him at the
door,
The man obcyed the summons, and soon
both debtor and creditor were looking each
other in the face.
How does thou do p kindly inquired
the Quaker. perhaps thou dost no, know
me-
Il believe have not had the pleasure oil
your acquaintance politely answered our
/ nero.
'Dost thou remember purchasing a suit OF
clothes several years ago of a poor tailor and
r. Il. H.. Il. ~
ker.
20, no. said the gentleman, blushing
slightly; you must be mistaken IN the per-
son. 1t cannot be me that you wished to
find.
'Ah John know thee very WE'LL
Thou art the very man | wished TO see.-
Thou hast on at this moment the very waist.
coat that made for thee. Thou must ac-
knowledge it was Of good stuff and well
made, or it could not have lasted thee SO
long,
20 yes,' said the gentleman, appearing
suddenly to recolect himself; Il do remem-
Der now the circumstances to which you al
lude. Yes, ves--l had intended to call and
settle that little bill before leaving Philadel-
phia, and you may depend on my doing So
have come here TO take possession of a
large amount of property which has fallen
to me by will. See here is the advertise.
, ment which has spprised me of my good
fortune
Here he handed to the Quaker New
York paper containing "A copy Of the adver-
tsement whose history We have given above,
The Quaker looked at 1t with imperturbable
gravity and continued
Yes, | see thou art in luck, but at my
demand is small one, think | must insist
on payment before thou comes in possession
Of thy large estates.'
The proper signal here brought the con.
stable into the presence of the parties. The
swindler was particularly astonished at the
appearance OF this funclonary, who imme.
dately began to execute his part of the
drama.
'What = exclaimed the rogue in an angry
tone you surely haven't sued NET
Yes, have,' replied the Quaker 'ant
thou shouldst be thankful that nothing worst
has happened to thee
Come in, them said the debtor, finding
himself fairly caught; come in, and vii
pay you if must
nc ti|ec WtHt I1tO tile house togetiitI
and the slippery gentleman having ascer,
tanned the amount of the bill, paid It in fall
The tailor having signed the receipt, placed
it in the hands of his late creditor, with feel
ings such as may be readily imagined. The
swindler took it and for the first time glanc.
ed at the various items of which it was COM
posed. He said nothing till he came to the
last charge, which was for advertising,
when he broke forth
'HalIoo what's this For advertising 2
That's an odd charge in tailor's bill. You're
cheating me y
} Ono coolly replied the Quaker; that
is ali right. have charged thee the cost OF
publishing the advertisement which thou Just
showed me-
Here the swinder uttered horrid oath, as
he demanded. do you mean to say that you
caused the publication Of that advertise
ment2 =
Truly did, replied the Quaker with
most provoking GOODNESS.
'You told - he in it, quickly retorted
the rogue.
Convince me of that said the Quaker
and thou wilt find me ready to confess the
; fault
Yen said should hear sometbing 10 my