The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1851-01-23
How q Tailor Collected q Debt.


phia, was imposed upon by an adroit
scoundrel, who contrived to get suit of
clothes on credit, and afterwards sloped
without paving for them. The Quaker
was too poor TO lose the debt, bu, like too
many others Of bis cloth, had apparently
no alternative. The account was placed
on his books and soon forgotten. Some
years afterward he was examining his old
records Of debt and credit, profit and loss,
when his attention was attracted to this
| account, and all the circumstances attend
ing it came to his mind. Suddenly an
odd thought presented itself
"rll try an experiment." said he to
himself; "perhaps | may succeed in catch
ing the rogue and getting my money"
He Immediately prepared an advertise
ment in substance as follows, which he
inserted in the Philadel phia Gazette:
"If J. c.. who was in Philadel-
phia. about the month of -, in the year
/ 1895, will send his address to the editor of
this paper, he will hear of something to
advantage. Printers in the neighboring
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 20 dis
close his name to the rogue if he should
, call, but to request of the latter 10 leave
his address, the Quaker patiently awaited
the result of his experiment. In a short
time he was informed. by a note from the
printer, that the individual alluded TO
having arrived from New York, might be
found at given place in the city.
l.,
: transcript of his account, not forgetting TO
charge the interest from the time the debt
was incurred. Taking a constable with
him, who bore legal process suited TO
the occasion, he soon arrived at the lodg
ings of the swindler The constable was
instructed TO stand of little distance, till
the signal should indicate the time for him
to approach.
/ The Quaker now rang the BELL and
when the servant approached, requested
him to inform the gentleman of whom he
was in search, that a friend wished to
speak with him at the door.
The man obeyed 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-
- 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 them -
asked the Quaker.
"Oh, no. said the gentleman, blushing
slightly; you must be mistaken in the
person. Il cannot be me that you wish
TO find"
"Ah, John know thee very we'll
Thou art the very man | wished 10 see.
Thou hast on at this very moment the
very waistcoat made for thee. Thou
hast acknowledged il was good stuff, and
well made, or il could not have lasted thee
so long"
'.Oh, yes - said the gentleman, appear
ing suddenly to recollect himself, Il do
remember now tie circumstance to which
you allude. Yes. yes. had intended to
call and settle that lillle bill before leaving
Philadelphia, and you may depend upon
my dong so. | have come here 10 take
possession of a property which has been
left me by will. See here is the adver-
tsement which apprised me of my very
good fortune
Here he handed the Quaker a N York
paper containing q copy of the advertise
ment, whose history we have given above.
The Quaker looked at it with imperturable
gravity, and continued
"Tes, | see thou art in luck, but as my
demand is a small one. think | must in
slst on payment before thee comes into
possession of thy large estates.''
The proper signal here brought the
constable into the presence Of the parties
ihe swindler was particularly astonished
at the appearance of this funclionary, who
Immediately proceeded 10 execute his part
of the drama.
What exclaimed the rogue, in an
angry tone, 'you surely haven't sued
mel"
Yes have" replied the Quaker, .and
thou should'st be thankful that nothing
else happened to thee
Come III them" said the debtor, find
ing himself fairly caught; 'come in and |
will pay you, if | must
The three went into the house together
and the slippery gentleman having the
amount Of the bill, paid 1t in full.
The tailor having signed the receipt
placed it in the hands Of h's late debtor