The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-10-28
A Shave.

,elThe New Orleans Bulletin tells the following
NOT very probable story !, may he true or it may
not be.
"A Kentucky friend some years since related 10
us the following anecdote as having actually oc-
cured in that city.
There was registering sort Of fellow named
Peter Russell, but usually called Pete Russell, who
owned good deal of property, and therefore had
apeculiar responsibility, though he was always in
want Of money, and frequently in the hands Of sha.
xers
,gfOn one occasion he went to a certain accOmmO-
dating friend 10 borrow two thousand dollars,
s.Yes" said his friend, -"Pete will lend you the
two thousand dollars. aud without interest too, if
you will give me your bill for the amount Oh Lon
DON"
."Oh! no." replied Pete, ~ cant stand that. II
I give you bill ON London, the cursed thing will
be back on me here under protest. in four months
a, farthest, and then l must pay the amount and
twenty per cent. damages That's too deer dig "
"WeH," said Shylock, "that is cutting it rather
fat, | acknowledge; but will tell you Pete. what
j will do, will take your bill on London for two
thousand dollars, aud pay you for it two thousand
two hundred, and when it will come back protes-
ted-you will have to pay the two thousand dollars
and 20 per cent. damage, making together two
thousand four hundred, which will only leave me
two hundred dollars -"
,"Agreed," said Pete, 81 am willing to stand
that" ..# =.
SO they sat duwn to prepare the documents.
-sBut who the deuce shall draw upon in Lon
dom" said Pete. 81 do not know living soul
,hcre." --.
-s,It is perfectly immateriaI whom you draw up
on" said his friend. $50 far as am concerned,
am willing you should draw upon the town pump"
s..By Jove!" said Pete, 81 have it----l'll draw
Upon my cousin the Duke of Bedford"
II will be recoIected that the family name ofhis
sracc is Russell, and Pete was in the habit of
iboas,ing that he descended from the same stock.
So Pete Iet fly his kite" for two thousand dollars
on his grace Of Bedford, and received the stpula-
ted amount of two thousand two hundred dollars.
The bill Of course, had to be sent out to London,
70 be presented to his grace, and regularly protes-
ted. in order to establish legal claim upon the
drawer. One morning it was accordingly found
with other documents, on the table in the Dukes
study, having been left for acceptance or payment.
~sAud who," said his grace of Bedford, taking
up the biil and addressing his man OF business sis
this Peter Russell that is drawing on me for two
thousand dollars! l never heard of him before,
and do not know by what authority he does So
-.I am equally ignorant, your grace, said the
steward. 81 know nothing of him.
SWELL" said his grace after musing moment,
..it is very probable, now, that he is some poor
and distant branch of my family, who has wander
ed away of there to the wds of Kentucky, and
Is n distress, the amount is but trifie; lei the bill
be paid" and paid it was. .....
In due course Of time Pete's friend got back two
thousand dollars, less bankers commissions, and
without interest, for two thousand two hundred he
paid Pete some months previous.
Itwas regular shave, only the shaver became
ihe shavee.