Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-10-27
A Debtor C0rnered.

Very adrOit was the march that Lille
LOOMS stole on the Statute of Limita-
TONS" Lie was the factotum of Guys
Neck. He did q miscellaneous business
Is carpenter, COW doctor, coffin. maker
adding to his other functions that OF un-
dertaking to the County Poor House. He
was, withsl, an easy, good natured fellow,
free to trust and q most indulgent credit
or. Among the others whom Lie had
trusted 10 his cost was Greg Grimes, with,
out exception the greatest promise-maker
and breaker in Guys Neck. Iverily be-
lieve he would. If possible. have put a
creditor off till the last judgment, and
then, on the score of being busy day,
have begged him to wait till to morrow.
Greg had wheedled Lie with promises
till the latter's claim was "Out-lswtd."
Losing patience at last, Lie took his &C
count over to the Squire's, when, to his
no small discontinue, he learned that un-
less he could get q new promise from his
debtor, with . witness to 1t, he might
whistle for his bill. Such fellows as
Greg always know good deal Of law,
especially the sharp points of II. Greg
would talk az freely, and az full of prom
ises as ever, when he and Lie were alone,
but before others would either evade the
subject, or else remain provokingly mum.
One day L js drove up to Greg's door
with his old gray mare and spring wagon,
q plain pine cofi1n-one of those fat-top-
ped affairs deemed good enough for poor
iolks-being behind the seat.
"Mornin,, neighbor," said Lie.
"Same to you" said Greg; "goin' to
plant pauper, see."
"Y.a-a.s; old Boke took rather q sud-
den leave, last night, and went TO try the
charity of another world"
(which il no morn fair" said Greg,
"seein' now long he's lived on the charity
of this"
"Would you mind gettin' in and comm
along, neighbour" said Lige; "it's mighty
dull goin' to funeral all alone by ones
self"
Greg didn't mind, but straightway
mounted by Lies side.
The two chaIted away after q sort, 70
prove how cheerful good company can
render even grace OCCASION.
II 'spose you haven't forgot that little
bill O. mines" Lie at last took the liberty
to hint.
"Not by no means" said Greg. "Let's
see, now-how much did you say 1t was'
misremember rightly"
"Even sixty nine dollars, besides seven
years interest"
"Quite right" Greg assented; n recol.
lect now"
"Ef lis at all inconvenient to pay it,"
said Lie, "don't you put yourself out on
no account"
"Pve been threatenin' TO pay 1t for q
month back" said Greg "but times hev
been tight, sn'-an' how would Monday
week dot"
Ito dot" answered Lie.
"I'll seId il round" ssid Greg.
A curilu, found came from the coffin.
The ghost of q cnuckle, Durdles would
have c.lled il. Greg gave one jump and
4" IL" in sn id acent COW pasture. Look-
ing back be saw Lies prentice, the most
nj :chievous imp ia Guys Neck, hut with
plenty OF sense and lawful age " be q
witness, sitting up in the coffin anu laugh.
ing like mad
Greg took in the situation at glance.
He had been duped into committing him
self before q witness.
"It's dirty, nasty, mean trickP he
exclaimed.
"What is itp said Lie.
"Why, tridin' with bcdy's feelin's
about old Boke, maxi in h'lieve he's dead !"
can 30 he is" said Lie, "only ]
WAS going after the buddy, instid OF
feichin' 1t away"
Greg turned of in disgust, Lie bswling
after him:
"Dont forget Monday week, and
p'faps it'll save both Of Us some
trouble"
Greg didn't forget, but has never more
than half enjoyed himself 1t funeral
since.