Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-03-27

the most affecting testimony to his devotion and
self sacrifice. lie lives not because he would have
others live. He Is dead because he would snatch
others from the death thst never dies, and have
oil live unto Christ. a. D. b.
Willston, March 18th, 1857.
The WAY To COLLECT BILL.-Old Squire
Tobin was slow walker but slower pay
Blessed with abundant means, he was OF
course considered ultimately good tor any
little debt he contracted habit of holding
on to his money, until forced by imporfunl-
ty to fork over.
There goes the old Squire, said Brown,
the merchant, 1--we had bill of five dollars
and fifty cents against him for eight months
and if | asked him for it once | have done
so twenty times; but he has either not got
it with him, or he will call to morrow, Drill
not in q good humor, he will swear like
trooper, at my impudence, In dunning him
at unreasonable times
Now there was one Joe liarkins, u wag-
gish sort of fellow. who heard the com
plant of Merchant Brown, and resolved up
on some fun.
Come now, Brown, said Joe, what will
you bet can't get the money from the old
Squire before he gets home
A new hat. said Brown .
Enough said,' said Joe.
While Brown was hunting up the bill, Joe
disguised himself in striped blanket and
slouched hat. Thus equipped, with the bill
IN his hand he took after the Squire.
Halo, is your name Squire Tobin q
Yes answered the Squire with q snarl
what is that to you .
Il have little bill, sir-colecting for
merchant Brown, sir
Merchant Brown can 60 to thunder, sir,
said the Squire, I've no money for him.
you must call again.
Joe bowed politely. slipped down the alley
Just in time to head the old Squire at the
next corner
'Oh, sir said Joe, stopping suddenly,
is your name Iobin''
'robin, SIR is my name.
Here rs little bill, sir, from merchant
Brown
POUNDS sir, replied the Squire. Didn't
meet you just around the corner .
Meet me ~ replied Joe, guess 1t was
B, another of Browns collectors.
Then | suppose merchant Brown has
two red striped collectors dogging my steps;
won't pay it, Sir, to-day. The Old
Squire as he said this, brought down his
stick hard upon the pavement and toddled
Joe, nothing daunted, took advantage OF
another alley, and by rapid movement, IN
few minutes placed himself once more in
front of the Squire. The old mans bill was
making him mutter and growl as he walked
along, now and then giving point to his
anger, by very emphatic knocks Of his cane
upon tile sidewalk When within abou,
twenty feet Of each other, the old Squire
espied ms striped friend once more in front.
squire Tobin stopped-and raising his cane
exclaimed
You internal inoolent puppy, what DC
you mean y
Joe, affecting great astonishment check
Cd up within safe distance, and replied
Mean, sir You surprise me, sir
don't know you, sir.
Amt you merchant Browns collector
that dunned me five minutes ago
Me, sir I replied Joe. 4 am one oi mer
chant Brown collectors, to be sure but
don't know y1u, sir,
My name is Tobin. sir, rejoined the ir-
rituted Squire. and you look like the ie
low that stopped me twice before,
,lmpossiblc said Joe, 1T must have somt
other of Merchant Browns collectors. iou
see, sir, there are forty of US, all wrapped
in red striped blankets-and by the by
MI. Tobin l think | have a small bil
against you
Forty red striped collectors, and each ONT
after me, CALCULATED the Squire. Darn me
! must put stop to this they will al
overtake me before | reach home Saying
which, he pulled out his wallet and quietly
settled merchant Browns bill of $3.50
Joe thanked the Squire, and moved off
but as the Squire had another square t.
travel before reaching home Joe could MOI
resist the inclination to head him just one,
more. He accordingly made another circuit
and came in collision with the angry ole
man, ere he was noticed.
BOUNDS POUNDS stranger, vocilerateC
the Squire. What Here he caught
sight of the red striped blanket, as Joe
disengaging himself from the old man, tool
to his heels. Squire Tobin's cudgel was
fercely hurried after Joe. accompanied with
a hearty curse upon merchant Brown anC
his forty collectors in red striped blankets
1t is unnecessary to ssy, that Joe Harkin'
was seen next day, topped off with brar
splinter new hat.