The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-11-14
SELECT TALES.
How Quaker Collected a Debt.

Near the close of the last century, a
Quaker knight Of the shears and thinLle
who exercised his avocation in Philadel-
phia, was imposed upon by an adroit
scoundrel, who contrived to get suit of
clothes on credit, and afterwards eloped
without paying for them. The Quaker
was too poor to lose the debt, but like too
many others Of his cloth he had appereat-
ly no other alternative. The account was
placed on his books and soon forgotten.
Some years afterwards he WAS examin-
ing his old records of debt and credit
profit and loss, when his attention was at
tracted to this account and all the circum-
s,arces attending it came fresh to his
'lnmd. Suddenly an odd thought sugges.
ted itself to him.
III try an experiment. said he to him
seli; perhaps | may succeed in catching
the rogue aud getting my pay -
He immediately prepared an aiver.
tisement in substance as follows, which he
inserted in the Philadelphia Gazette: =
'lfJ--C-, who was in Philadel.
lphia about the ronth Of, in the year
1895, will send his address to the editor
OF this paper, he will hear Of something to
his advantage. Printers in 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 in
siructel the editor not 10 disclose his name
to the rogue il he should call, but to re-
quest The latter TO leave his address the
Quaker patiently awaited the resul, Of his
experiment. In a short time lie was in
formed by note from the printer, that
hein.livilual alluded to VA the advertise
ment, having arrived from New York,
nAEht be found at gwen place in the
city. The tailor lost no time in preparing
Transcript Of his account, not forgetting
to charge interest from the time the debt
~ss c"a,rsctcd. Taking a constable with
him, who bore legal process suited to
yhe occasion, he soon arrived at the lodg-
inys Of the swindler. The Quaker now
rang the bell, and when the servant ap-
peafed. requested him TO Inform the gentle
man OF whom he was in search, that
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 thoa dof kindly inquired the
Quaker. Perhaps thou dost not know
mc'
Il believe l have not had the honor Of
your acquaintance politely answered our
hero
'Do<t thou remember purchasing suit
of clothes several years ago Of poor
tailor aud forgetting 10 pay for themr
asked the Quaker.
%. no. said the gentleman, blushiug
slightly; you must lie mistaken in the per-
son. It cannot be me that you wish to
fnd.'
'Ahi joint know the very we'll. Thou
art the very mani wished to see. Thou
hast on at this very moment the waist
coat m .de for thee. Thou must ack.
nowledge IL was OF good stuff and well
made, or it could not have lasted thee so
long,
%, yes,' said the gentleman, appearing
isuideniy 10 recollect himself 1 do remem.
Der now the circumstances TO which you
sallude. Yes, yes---I had intended TO call
sand settle that little bill before leaving
Philadelphia, and you may depend on
sins doing so. have come here to take
possession Of large amount Of property
which has fallen to me by will. See, here
70 tie advertisement which apprised me Of
my good fortune
Here be handed 10 the Quaker New
York paper coptaisiug copy OF the ad.
xertissv1ient, che history Of which we have
given shove The Qoaker looked at il
with imperttrsbie gravity and continued:
Tea, ! see yoti are in luck, bat as my
demand is q small oae, shink ! must In
piss oh.payment before tlsou comest into
possession of ihy large estates.'
The proper signal here brought the
constable isio the presence OF ne paftiea.
The swindlsr Wa pssticnlsfiy asienlshed
ne che appearance Of the fancsiohaFy, who
gmmediaiely began 70 exeeuss HE part q
the drama. ~
swhaLs exclaimed the rogue. 10 an M.
a,ry icae. 'you surely haven't sued me-
Tas, Ihase,, replied the. .Quaker; and
yonshoaid he tlspkful thai nothing worse
has hAppsAca 10 theel u
Come into tlle house, said the debtor
fnding himself faiFly caught; come in
ava ] ell pay you. u i must. os
The fl,rro az onf tnfo thA l,os,sa foaeiheV