Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-09-25

By A RETIRED ATTORNEY.

passed through the country ,calis 10 my mind
an incident that occurred many years since,
during similar season.
Somers, tailor, had long sold goods to
Churchill, a travelling agent for a manufactu-
ring company. Some years before my story
opens they had dealings together, and had
a long account At the settlement there had
been balance due Somers of one hundred
and eighty dollars, but the account had been
cancelled by Churchill outside of the regular
trade. Some seven years elpased, and still
SOmers' books showed this balance against
his customer.
Churchill was away from Boston nearly all
his time, but he happened to remain III the
city one time just long enough to get up a
quarrel with bis former friend. 1t was about
piece of real estate belonging to Churchill,
which had been sold at auction. and bid of
by SOmers, who finding the place was not
worth SO much as be had supposed, backed
out of the trade, by alleging that the title was
defective.
Churchill was justly indignant at the bad
in round terms for his conduct, threatened to
sue him for damages. No doubt he could
have maintained an action, for the purchaser
was legally holden to his bid.
Somers was alarmed, but he was too mean
to act like an honorable man in the premises,
and Churchill actually put his case in the
hands of lawyer. Then Somers, fearful of
proceeding any further, offered to settle the
matter, protesting still to be friendly to his
opponent. Churchill was deceived, and let
him off on the payment Of the actual expens-
es of the sale, some twenty five dollars.
Even this small sum, which Churchill had
wrung out of him, was enough to make Som
ers his enemy for life. No sooner had they
parted than he began to devise means to be
revenged, and to get back the twenty-five
dollars he had paid. Unfortunately the means
were at hand. The old account, still unset
tied on his ledger, was available, and being
anything but All honorable man he did not
scruple to avail himself of it.
The ''consideration" which had discharged
the old balance, has never been clearly cx-
plained it was something that neither Of the
parties was willing TO make public.
Somers attached the real estate OF Chur-
chill, on this old balance, well satisfied that
40 receipt could be shown to Indicate the set
and if | had known as much about it then as
did afterwards, | certainly would not have
done Somers business for him.
The writ had scarcely been served before
Churchill paid me visit.
6 What is the claim2" he asked, rather eX-
cited.
" An old balance Of seven years stand
ing
!. 1t has been paid Y he exclaimed, violent
ly.
"Very well; then of course, you can pro
duce your receipt"
He bit his lip with vexation. That under
handed transaction that had settled the ac
count could not be explained.
" 7 took no receipt but does Somers pre-
tend that the account was not closed r.
:. OF course he docs !. otherwise he would
not attach your property.
[e>-s' Mr.. Docket. Somers is the biggest scoun.
drel in Boston He has got the smallest
cass."
E" Abuse sir, won't pay debt, Mr.. Char
chiIl''
You conld put two such souls as his in a
mustard-seed. and they would wander about
in it to ali eternity, without meeting"
off you have any further business with
me, Mr.. Churchill, vii! hear it.'
The debt is outlawed even if it were Just.
:" Il think not"
g 1t is OF seven years standing"
Z" You had better read the statute Of lim-
tation again, sir. The absence of defend,
ant from the STATE is to be deducted from
the six years the law gives to begin an ac-
ton" .
" But have been a resident of Boston
during the whole seven years"
] saw his ground, and thought had q good
case, though it was undenable that he was
in the city five or six times year during the
term.
Churchill was "spunky,' and promised to
contest the suit to the utmost and he did.
His lawyer was shrewd, and kept the action
in court six months before day was set for
the trial The day came, and it was put oil
again.
About this time there was "yery search
ing revival in progress Everybody went TO
prayer meetings, and the number Of convert
ed souls was duly buletined to the world.
The trial OF Somers os. Churchill was again
at hand, when one day received VISIT from
my client.
+" Mr. Docket, I have come up to ask you
to discon inue that suit against Churchill, y
said ne, in a tone and manner vastly different
FROM any had observed in him before.
Discontinue it ~
yes and if you will tell me how much
the costs are, ] will pay them"
"Ths is an odd step. think you will
get the case," added, much surprised.
The Bible says, - "Love thy neigbor as
'hyself"
at is not a Just debt. I am poor, and
lost sinner, and this is one of my greatest
sins. The account was settled seven years
ago"
"Then you are greater rascal thar took
you to be-
q am poor, loss, sinner. have Just ey
perienced religion, and this great sin hangs
heavily on my conscience. | will confess my
error to him | have sought to wrong,and may
God pardon me for the wrong have dont
him y
commended his resolution ne paid al
charges. and left the office, apparently hap
ately went to the clerk of the court, and hat
the action discharged, intending to notify tn,
| opposite side of what had been done, afte
dinner. But on my return to my office
| found Churchli's counsel there, waiting to
me.
" Docket, I have just been astonished,
said he.
q So have IT, supposing he had heard o
| Somer's conversion.
Churchill has experienced religion, ant
wants to settle this account"
"What ? Churchill p
Yes, Churchill. lie says it is Just deb
and he is willing to pay it. | have the mo
ney in my hands, principal interest ant
costs"
was astounded Both had been converted
| came to the conclusion that revivals wonl(
ruin the profession.
Iafterwards got,them together In my Office
They shook hands ike meek Disciples as
doubt not they were, Somers declared th
balance had been paid, but Churchill said i
was an illegal and wicked transaction b
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