The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-08-13
HOW A TAILOR COLLECTED A
A TRUE STORY.

DEBT.
ATRUE STORY.
Near the close of the last century. a Qua
ker knight of the shears aud thimbIe, who ex-
ercised his avocation in Philadelphia, was
imposed upon by an adroit scouudrel, who
contrived to get suit of clothes on credit,
and afterwards sloped 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 ac-
count was placed on his books and soon for
gotten. Some wears afterwards he was ex-
aiming his old records Of debt and credit.
profit and and loss, when his attention was
attracted to this account and all the circun-
stances attending it came fresh TO mind
Suddenly an odd thought suggested itself.
"I'll try an experiment" said he TO himself;
"perhaps | may succeed in catching the
rogue and getting my pay"
He Immediately prepared an advertisement,
in substance as follows, which he inserted in
the Philadelphia Gazette:-"lf J.
G., who was in Philadelphia about the
month of in the year 1795, will send
his address to the Editor Of this paper. he
will hear of something TO advantage. PriE-
tiers in the neighbOring States are requested
to copy" The latter clause was inserted
from a 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 if he should call,
but to request the latter TO leave his address,
the Quaker patiently awaited the result OF
his experiment. In a short time he was in
formed by a note from the Printer that the
individual alluded TO in the advertisement,
having arrived from New Y ork, might be
found at given place in the city.
The tailor lost no time in preparing a trans
crpt of his account, not forgetting to charge
interest from the time that tie debt was in
CURED. Taking a constable with him, who
bore legal process suited to the occasion, he
soon arrived at the lodgings of the swindler.
The constable was instructed to stand off a
little dstanc till signal should indicate the
time for him to approach.
The Quaker now rang the bell, and, when
the servant appeared, requested him TO inform
the gentleman Of whom he was in search,
that friend wished to speak with him at the
door.
The man obsyed the summons, and soon
both debtor and creditor were looking each
other in the face.
"How dost thou DO % kindly inquired the
Quaker. perhaps thou dost not know me-
81 believe have not had the pleasure of
your acquaintance politely answered our
hero.
"Dost thou remember purchasing suit of
clothes several years ago OF poor tailor and
forgetting to pay for lhem!'' asked the Qua
ker.
80 no." said the gentleman, blushiDs slight
ly; ''you must be mistaken in the person. 1t
cannot be me you wished TO fnd."
"Ahi John! know thee very well. Thou
art the very man | wished to see. Thou hast
on at this very moment the very waistcoat
that made for thee. Thou must acknowl
edge it was Of good stuff aud well made, or
it could not have lasted thee 50 long"
40 yes" said the gentleman, appearing
suddcnly to recolIect himself; DO remem-
Der now the circumstances to which you al
lude. Yes, yes-i had intended to call and
settle that little bill before leaving Philadei-
phia, and you may depend on my doing so.
| have come here TO take possession OF large
amount of property which has fallen to me
by will. Seel here is the advertisement
which apprises me of my good fortune"
Here he handed to the Quaker New York
paper containing copy of the advertisement
whose history we have given above. The
Quaker looked at it with imperturable grav-
iIy and continued
Yes, | see thou art in luck, but as my
demand is a small one, think | must insist
on payment before thou comes in possession
of thy large estates"
The proper signal here brought the consta-
BILE into the presence of the parties. The
swindler was particularly astonished at the
appearance of this fuuetionary, who immedi-
ately began to execute his part Of the drama
.Whatl exclaimed The rogue in an angry
tone "you surely have MT sued me u
Eyes. have" replied the Quaker; and
thou shouIdst be thankful that nothing worse
has happened to thee"
"Come in, them" said the debtor. finding
himself fairly caught; come in, and VIII pay
you must.''
The three went into the house together, and
the slippery gentleman having ascer'ained
The tailor having signed the receipt placed
it in the hands of his late creditor, with feel
inrs such as may readily be imagined. The
swindler took it and for the first time glanced
at the various items of which it was cOmpos-
ed. He said nothing I'LL he came to the last
charge, which was for Gdrert'sang," when
he broke forth
"Hallool what this : For adrertisingF
That's an odd charge in tailor'sbill. You're
cheating me-"
Ono conlly replied the Quaker; "that
is all right. have charged thee the cost OF
publishing the advertisement which thsu
Just showed me.'
Here the srindler uttered horrid oath, as
he demanded, do yon mean to say that you
caused the publication of that advertisement!
Truly 1 did," replied the Quaker with
most provoking goodness.
"Yo on told - lie in it," quickly re-
torted the rogue.
"Convince me of that" said the Quaker
and thou wilt find me ready to confess the
fault
"You said should hear something to my
advantage, if l would come here"
sThou art mistaken" Immediately respon-
ed the Quaker; 81 only promised that thou