The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-09-15
NUMBER 33.


his case was hopeless.
The lawyer, however, was a man of
resources. Disnissing his client with
directions to return in a couple of days, he
called TO bis aid a reliable friend, 10 whom
he privately unfolded his plans.
Acting under the lawyers instructions,
the friend presented himself at the inn as
guest, and after securing quarters, depos-
tied three hundred dollars in the landlords
hands, taking good care to have a witness
by. Some hours after, he called alone
tor the money, and the landlord knowing
there was proof of the deposit, made no
difficulty in handing it over.
The same day Boniface was served
with writ for three hundred dollars, and;
on seeking advice, was told that, as there
was witness to his receipt Of the money,
and none 10 its return, he had nothing for
1t but to pay it again. With two huns
dred dollars of it the lawyer reimbursed
The coantryman, and kept the remainder
for his fee.
No less adroit was The march that Lie
boomis stole on the "Statute of Limita-
tons Lie was the .tilciotaHl of Guys
Neck. He did miscellaneous BUSH e s
as carpenter, cow doctor, and coffin
maker--adding to his other functions that
of undertaken to the county poor house.
He was, withal, an easy, good~natured
fellow, free 10 trust; and a most indulgeut
creditor
Among others whom Lie had trusted
to his cost, was Greg Grimes, without
exception the great promise maker and
breaker of Guys Neck. l verify believe
ne would, II possible, have put "a creditor
off till the Last Judgment, aud then beg
ged him TO wait till Tomorrow.
Greg had wheedled Lie with promises
till the latter's claim was ''ouiiawed. -
Losing patience at last, Lie took his ac-
count over to tie Squire, when, to his no
small discontinue, he learned that unless
he could get new promise from his debtor,
with witness 10 It, hc might whistle for
his bill.
Such fellows as Greg always know
good deal of law, especially the sharp
points of it. Greg would talk as freely
and be as full Of promises as ever, when
be and Lie were alone, bur, before others
would either evade the subject, or else re-
main provokingly mum.
One day LJe drove up 20 Greg's door
with his Old gray mare and spring wagon,
a plain pine eoflin--one Of those fiat top
ped affairs deemed good enongh for poor
folks-being visible behind the seat.
''AIornin,' neighbour" said Lie
'Same to you,' said Greg. "Goin'
to'plant pauper, | see.'
"'4-aa-s; old Bopc took rather sud-
den leave last night, and went to try the
charity of another world"
(which it's no more'n fair, said Greg,
''sfein' bow long he lived on the charity
of this. -
''Wouli you mind getiin' in and COM
ing along, neighbor q said Lie. It's
mighty dull goin' TO u funeral all alone by
ones self"
sg didn't mind, and straightway got
zap II Lies side.
~ ;Egc two chatted away after sort to
prove how cheerful good company can
render grave occasion
dispose you .havn't forgot that little
bill o mine !'' LIE took the liberty at
last to hint
''Not by no means, said Greg. ''Lers
see now-how much did ycu say il was
| disremember rightly"
even sixty-nine dollars, besides seven
gears int'rest"
''Quite rishf,' Greg assented II
recoHect now"
EFF its at all inconyenient to pay If,
don't put yourself out on no account
said Lie.
''I've been threatenen' to settle it for
uionih back said Greg; ''but times
hey been tight, an'-an'-how would
Monday week do p
E'To dot said Lje.
''I'll send it round, said Greg.
A curious sound came from the coffin
The ghost of a chackle, Durdies would
have called it. Greg gave a jump and
lit in an adjacent COW pasture. Looking
back he saw Lies prentice, the most
mischieVous imp in Guys Neck, but with
plenty Of sense, and of lawful age to be
a witness, sitting up in the coffin and
laughing like mad.
Greg took in the situation at one glance.
lie had been duped into committing him,
self before a witness.
''It's a dirty, nasty, mean trick !" he
exclaimed.
"Wbat is p asked Lie.
"Why, trifn' with body's fcelins'
about old Bope, maxim believe he is
dead -
can so he is" said Liic, 'dnly 1 was
goin' arter the body, inslid o fetcbin it
away"
Greg turned away in disgust, Lilo
bawling after him:
Don't forget Monday week, an per.
haps it'll save us both snme trouble
Greg didn't forget but he has nevc
more than half enjoyed himself at func
raj since. e.-Ledgtr.
A MAN passed through Council Bluff
Inr Ja