, 1862-06-05
UollectinR an old psist.

n
We have known many expedients res0rted 70
to collect bills but We think the following adopted
by Joe HaFkins, is an original one. We have
q few credits on our books against doubtful Gus
toners, Of long standing, which We lave 90 faF
failed to get in. We should like to maEe an ar
rangement with some Joe HaFlkins or other 70
collect the money--that Is, pFofidcd he VIM give
us security that he will pay Il in aer he has col
lected it, like an honest man. Y. -,
Old Squire Tobn was a slow walker, and llSo
q slow payer Blessed with abundant means, he
was, Of course. considered ultimately good for any
little debt he contraeteda habit Of holding On %
his money Until forced by extra importantly tefofk
over.
"There goes the old SQUIRE said Brown, the
merchant "rve had bill Of Eve dollars and
fifty cents against him for eight months and n 4
have asked him for il once, have done % twenty
times but be has either not got Il with him. o.
he will call tomorrow; or L not ina good humce,
be will swear like trooper at my impudenee il
dunnlng hin d ttnseasOnable ti1iesp 5 AillsI
Now there was one Joe HaFkins. vaggish sort
Of fellow, who heard the complaint Of merchant
Brown, and resolved upon some fun.
@Come. now, Brown" said Joe, what will you
bet can't get the money nom the Old Squire Be;
ioFe he gets homer salogm q tm z
"A new hal, said Brown. a tgf
4 nHIH Il r
While Brown was hunting the bill. Joe disguised
himself in q striped blanket and slouched hat
Thus equipped, and with the bill in bis hand, he
took after the Squire ~ a66liN
"HOllO, b your 6ame Squire TObinin
%Yes," answered the Squire vithasnarli %whats
"fRSse 1 little bin, collecting iOt merchant
Brown, SIR" ss s esqia D. aisia.
Merchant Brown can 60 to thupder, SIR said
tns squire; -rve no money iOr him you must
joe bowed politely and slipped round the SIley
just ID time 10 head the old fellow Al The neEt
corner. "a les .ot ta6e.-s I'D =
EoA, si,," said Jos stopping suadetit, : isyoH
HTobin, sir, Is my naine.p aii1ae-
gHere Is little bill, sir, from merchant Brown
"ZOunds, SIR replied the Squire, didn't meet
you Just now around the corneri"
meet mef' replied Joe "gueS Il vas B.
another Of Browns collectors"
~Then suppose merchant Brown has two nd
striped collectors aoggihg my stetS I won't ply
it, air, tO-day-begone.1 The Od Squire, a. hs
said this, brought down his stick hard upon The
pavement, and tOddled on.
Joe, nothing danDted. took advantage Of an;
other alley, and BY afapid movement. 10 nv
miuutes placed himself once more n front Of he
Squire The old man 3 bile was making him nut
ter and groNl, as he walked along. now and then
giving point to his anger by very emphatic knocks
Of his cane upon the Sidewalk. When withinab0
twenty feet Of each other the old Squre esped hig
striped friend once more In 'front.'. Squiie Tobin
stopped, and raising hig cane exclaimed
You internal insolent puppy what Do yod
meanS" sia,et 5tlf ~ - AZ
Joe, affecting great astohiShfieh ehscked np
within safe distance, and then replied;
Mean, Sirf YOu surprise me. SRI fdon't
AIM you merchant Browns collector, that
dunned me Eve minutes ago2s slH9
No, siF," replied Joe !" ] an one Of merchant
Browns eOllect@s, 20 be sure, but ! dont knew
Ny name is TObin, Sir" reioihsd lie iitils,sd
me twice bafofe.r h sn5 M
Impossible, sir" replied Joe; q Il must hars
been some other Of merchant Browns collectors
You see, sir, there are forty Of rs, all wrapped il
red striped blankets-and, bysthebye, Mr. fobin,
I think have small bill against you."
Forty red-striped cnllectOrs, and each one afler
meP calculated he Squire. . Darn me. must
put q stop to this; thet win ell overiake me be-
fore get home" Saying which, be pulled out
bis wallet and quietly settled merchant Browns
bill Of $3.50. .a saae fiIg
Joe thanked the Squire, and inoted of; bht q
the Squire bad aDVther square to travel beloue
reaching home, Joe could not resist the inclination
Just once more. He accordingly made another
man ere he was noticed
zOuntsl zounds stranger," yoeiiFaied he
SquiFel aWhat--" ~
Here be caugh sight Of the red-stfibcd blanket,
as Joe, disengaging bimspf from the old man sook
10 his beels Squire TObihS cudgpl was 1eruelv