The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-02-19
A True story.

oe aple 10 pay tnem but nifty cents on the
dollar, and ifthey woah accept of that
proposition he was ready to do it, if not,
they might do with him as they pleased.
They would not accept of this offer, but
had him Immediately arrested and put in
prison. On arriving at the jail, he found
three hearty looking men, who were con-
fined for debt, sitting on their blocks or
stools, in rather desponding att itudc.
Well" said the Col to the one nearest
him, "what the ID are YOU here for ~
" For debt, sir" replied the prisoner.
/" How much is it I" asked Col. c.
Three or four dollars" was the reply.
The Sheriff being present. 'How much
is it, Mr.. Sheriff.
-Four dollars and seventp-fve.'
"Wcll," said the Colonel, {" here is the
money, but never let me catch you here
again for that amount
The Colonel addressed the next one
We'll, sir, what are you here forl'
"For debt, sir"
I" How much is it!"
"Twenty-fvc dollars, or more"
Well" said the Colonel, here is the
money, and now clear youself, and don't
let me see you here again
The Colonel put the same question to
the third one and paid twenty-five dollars
for his liberation.
i have now,' said the Colonel vacated
the coop and am cock of the walk. Now.
MIR. Sheriff, lock me in, and go and engage
me good trlIsty servant man, ut GOOD
price. I've got the money to pay him,and
you also for your trouble, and one with
whom You can cntrust the keys ofthe pri-
son.
Very well,' said the Sheriff, will do
eo. hooo, iinglv the man appeared with
the key of the PRISON J., Ia .sa,r.
- We'll, said tho Colonel won have
come | suppose, to work for me while |
remain in tins soliraty abode of. Justice 2
Yes, sir was thereply.
3 : No'si-ssil-tl,s g GGosnel, ssget all liz
help you want TO renovate this room bv
washing, whitcwashing, DC, and in the
meantime, purchase one table, six chairs,
one bedstead and bedding, one washbowi
stand, two gallon jug of the best bran
dy i'll the city, one loaf of sugar, pitcher,
tumblcrs, decantcrs and all that is convc-
nient and comfortable for a gentleman to
keep house with, and put them in as soon
as the room is cleaned; and the Colonel
furnished the necessary funds. All these
requisitions being complied with, his hired
man was employed from day to day in at
tending to visiting gentlemen, and also to
see the Colonel furnshe ed with ali the lux
uries Of life.
Gentlomcn and ladies and creditors
came to see the Colonel; the latter were
surprised to see the expense incurred in
fitting up room, and furnishing it with
such costly furniture.
WELL said the Colonel to his creditors,
Il was raised to live dccenty and comfor-
tably, and when you had me conveyed to
this horrible place cf justice, ! found it in
a filthy, uncomfortable condition, and
was determined to mako it more cornfor-
table during my stay in this unholy abode.
And further, said Col. G., call on me to-
morrow, at p. IN. and dine with me OH
fine roast turkey, and although my con-
vcnlences to entertain gentlemen are not
very good, as am confined to this room
alone, ! will cndeavor to make YOU rs
comfortable as circumstances will permit
'Very WELL said his creditors, I'VE will
dine with You on the morrow
AT dinner, Col. Cs creditors said they
did not feol disposed TO keep him in prison
if he could pay but fifty cents on the dol
lar; they would take it and give him a
1Iscnaree.
But says the Colonel, l have incurr-
ell some necessary expenses that must be
deducted ont of that fifty cents
What are they 2 asked one of his ere
ditors.
"0ne hundred and five dollars and fif-
ty cents, said Col c., for the liberation of
three prisoners, which c3i .ceived to be an
act Of charity and humanity; then again
my expenses in fitting up the prison room,
duty i owed TO myself, treating friends,
hired help, &c, and six day7 imp-;son-
ment at 3 dollars per day will amount in
all TO 16l dollars, and / will pay the bal
ance after deducting this
Very well,' said his creditors, we will
do it. We no not want to seeyou absent
from your family for the paltry sum of
1000 dollars, when you say honestly that
you are unable to pay thewholc.'
Very well,' said the Colonel, Il have
told you what | would do, and ! will do
nothing else. Let us make out an esti-
mate of the amount you are to have
All being done, Col. @, purshased lot
of goods aid returned again to his resi-
dcnce in Mansfield, Ohio.