Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1851-05-20
New Way TO Pay old Debts

There is a certain noted author, whose pen
"a worth California placer, so prolific is 1t,
but whose extravaganza would exhaust the
Pactolus if il flowed through his house,
Now this literary lIerules was early one
morning visited by hussar and two ossls-
tants, who avowed their intention of seeing
him safely 10 prison. on account of certain
debt. they being in fact only the deputies of
the gard de commerce. He attempted 20
discuss, TO negotiate, 10 eutrcat-but all to
no purpose; the officer was polite and mex
orable. the orders were formal the writ reg
ularly issued: twelve hundred francs must
be forthcoming. or the doors of the prison a I
Clichy would close upon him. How was nc
TO extricate himself.
You will at least 60 with me tn my book
seller!' said the author. percei9ing a ray ol
hope.
please. am al your service until sunset.
The whole entering coach, were spec
diIy conveyed to the booksellers, where the
debtor alighted. aud accompanied by his
three satellites, made known his object, which
was 10 procure an advance of twelve hundred
francs on his forthcoming work
"Sorry to refuse you, my dear Dumas,
but the fact is you know our express agree
ment, not ore cent in advance. In exchange
for your manuscripts, | will 90 up TO any
amount at the rate of forty francs per page
of writing, otherwise nothing"
Take me home again. said the prisoner.
addressing his guard.
"And what shall ! Go with my writT'
Don't be alarmed-take me back to my
house."
Again they entered coach. and in o few
minutes are at the authors residence.
"Leave your baliffs in the passage. and
come into my lbrality," said he to the Off
Ger. IL wns done. Now take comfort
able seat on that sofa; here are cigarA run
and all my books five hundred yolumes-l
admit none but my own works. Smoke drinl
and road"
Until sunset, MonseurT
ayes, no longer time is necessary" So
saying, Du,ras threw off his coat, aud seat
ing himself at his desk. seized his pen anC
commenced writing furiously.
"What are you about 10 do, Monsieur!
acked the other.
.Dont disturb mo. am coming money.
A quarter of an hour elapsed. Duma
rang the bell. his valet answered it. "TGk,
that to the publisher, he will give you fort,
francs for il"
He was obeyed; fifteen minutes after
there was another ring, the groom appeare,
and was similarly commissioned. Each sue
ceeding quarter of an hour leaf was des
patched-messenger were in demand the
formed almost chain between the autho
and tho publisher. In a short time th
crowds began to arrive-the copy and mon
oy passed each other continually in th
street. and the piles Of each growing porcep
tibiIity larger. At last after seven hour
and a half Of this intense labor, the battl
was gained, and the debt discharged, Will
the sun was yet fifteen minutes high.
The hussar Immediately sounded a retrea
much astonished at what he had seen. an
somewhat at what he had drank. 1t wa
only then that Dumas was conscious of hay
ing taken no sustenance since the cvonin
before. Seating himself at the table with .
much spirits as Il he had just been taking
refreshing nap, he exclaimed:
II have not wasted my day."-[GS
Franchise.