Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-08-20
When that Note was Due.

W LS1 O44do AVN Wo' AN~S'
A man in Boston (of course) was sorely
prosecuted by an avaricious business &C
quaintance, to pacify whom he was obiiget
to "settle;" and not wishing to pay over {
few hundred dollars in cash, he drew up &
note obligating himself to discharge the
account after a. a.speciied date or time. The
creditor. who was noted for lis "sticking
principles" was not in justice really emit
tied to the money; but when "thirty days
after date' were expired, he anxiously pre-,
sented the note for payment. The debtor
instead of meeting it, replied:
"The note is not yet due, sir. % =
"But it is. though; it reads, ''thirty days
after date, promise to pay SO and So" and
thirty-one days have elapsed since tine date
! thereof; and So"
81 don't care if thirty-one years have
elapsed since the date of the note, shall
still contend for its immaturity," answered
the debtor, interrupting the not very good
humored note holder, who soon made his
exit, slamming the street dooi after him,
muttering incoherently about law, judg-
ment, executions, &c.
II few days both parties were before
magistrate, who, upon concluding the in
vestigation, proclaimed that he must GER
tainly award judgment against the debtor
for the full amount OF the note, and the cost
of prosecution besides.
"And what then!" inquired the defendant
of the Judge.
81 shall issue an execution if the plain
tiff desires it," returned his honor.
s'To be sure--I want one Immediately
bawled the plaintiff. whose countenance re-
vealed his determination to allow no mercy,
as he edged his way as near as possible.
"You are resolved upon judgment and ex-
ecution!" demanden the defendert.f
81 amp replied the Judge, taking up his
pen to record the same.
"To be sure we are." coin cided the plain
tiff, with a chuckle.
81 presume your honor can spell correct
lyl" said the defendant, as he picked up his
hat and set it further upon the table before
him.
"Insolent!" exclaimed the Judge, choking
with rage.
"Will you oblige Inc by carefully spelling
and reading the first line in that valuable
document!'" urged the defendant, disre-
garding the anger of the magistrate, and d.
recting his attention to the note that lay
before him. The Judge looked at the note,
ana then at the defendant, but probably
thinking it was best to take it coolly, pro-
ceeded to do as requested, and read aloud,
in very lucid style:
"Thirty days after date prom"
"Stop!" shouted the defendant, "you don't
read it right"
81 doI' was the Judges response.
"You don't!" returned the defendant; al
thought you couldn't SPELL"
The Judge was now boiling over rage,
anG smote the desk before him so violensly
with his clenched hand as to cause those
who stood about him, including the expect
ant plaintiff, to retreat few PAGES in double
quick time.
"Keep your temper, Judge, or we shall
be obliged to have the case transferred to
another court, where the magistrate under.
stands the art and mystery of spelling words
OF one syllable. and don't make fool of him.
self by kicking up row and smashing Office
furniture. There, you may keep your seat,
and tell those present what the first line of
the note says" said the defendant, with
GOODNESS that surprised the audience, and
puzzled the Judge.
Having again glanced at the document,
and appearing to detect something that had
until that moment escaped his perception,
the Judge proceeded to read:
Thirty days after death | promise to
pay"
"Right!" exclaimed the defendant; ''you
can spell, see."
"Ths note is not due, gentlemen, until
thirty days after DEATH" proclaimed the
magistrate; "the case is accordingly dis
missed, and the court adjourned until to-
morrow morning.
what" screamed the plaintiff, sam
thus fooled! Villian!"
The unexpected and ludicrous conclusion
of the suit threw the whole assembly, save
the unlucky plaintiff into an uprorious fit Of
merrment, which having subsidized, they
separated and dispersed. The note is.not
due yet.
0HTSpeak the truth always, is the motto.