South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-04-21
A Newspaper Advertisement.


by an adroit scoundrel, who contrived to
get suit OF clothes on credit, and after
wards decamped without paying for them
Inc Quaker was too poor TO lose the debt ;
but like too many others of his cloth, he
had apparently no other alternative. The
account was placed upon his books, and
! soon forgotten. About five years after.
wards be was examining his old records of
debt aud credit, profit and loss, when his
| attention was attracted to this account. aud
all the circumstances attending it came
fresh to mind. Suddenly an odd thought
suggested itself.
III try an experiment. said he to him
self; perhaps L may succeed in catching
the rogue and getting my pay
He Immediately prepared an advertise
ment, in substance ms follows, which he in.
serted in the Kent HeraM -
eff Mr.. Henry webber, who was in Canterbury
about the month of August, in the year 1852,
will send his address to the editor of this paper,
he will hear of something to advantage
Having instructed the editor not TO dis
close his name to the rogue if be should
call, but to request the latter to leave his adj
dress, the Quaker patiently awaited the re-
suit OF his experiment. Ia a short time
he was Informed by note from the editor
that the individual alluded 10 in the adver-
tiscment, having arrived from London
might be found at the Rose Hotel
The tailor lost no time in preparing a
transcript of his account, not forgetting to
charge interest from the time that the debt
was incurred. Taking bailff with him,
who bore legal process suited to the occa
sion, he arrived at the lodgings of the swim
dler. The bailiff was instructed to stand
Oft at little distance till u signal should
Indicate the time for him to approach.
The Quaker now entered the coffee room
and rang the bell; and when the servant
appeared, requested him to inform the gen
ileman of whom be was in search, that n
friend wished to speak with him. The
waiter obeyed the summons, and soon both
debtor and creditor looked each other in
the face
How dost thou do p kindly inquired the
Quaker, i'll bland tone. Perhaps thou
dost not know meY
Il believe l have not had the pleasure Of
your acquaintance politely answered our
hero, with a forced smile.
'Dost thou remember purchasing a suit
of clothes several years ago of poor tailor
10 this city, and forgetting to pay for thcm?'
asked the Q laker
ooh, no /" said the gentleman, blushinr
slightly; you must be mistaken in the per
son. 1t cannot possibly be me that You
wished to find
But the Quaker was not to be shaken off
I htt Il Al e. l.. J -,
'Ah, John know thee well Thou
art the very man | wish to SEQ. Thou hast
on at this moment the very wai,t-coat that I
made for thee. Thou must acknowledge it
was of good stuff and well made or it could
not have lasted thee so long
ooh, yes, said the gentlemen, appearing
suddenly to recollcct himself; Il do re-
member now the circumstances to which
you alude. Yes, yes-I had intended Tn
call aud settle that little bill before LEAVING
Can 'erbury, and you may depend on nv
doing so. | have come here to take posses.
sion Of large amount of property which
has fallen to me by viii. See here il the
advertisement which apprizes me 9f my
good fortune
Here be handed to the Quaker copy Of the
paper confirming the advertisement whose
history we have given above. The Quaker
looked at it with imperiurbable gravity.
and continued, Yes, ! see thou art in
luck but as my demand is very small
one, think | must insist 90 yment be
fore thou contest IN possession Of Thy large
estates
A tap on the window here brought the
county court bailih into the presence Of
the parties The swindIer was particular
ly astonished at the appearance Of this
tunctIouary, who Immediately began to ex-
ccute bis part of tie drama.
What " exclaimed the rogue in az anr-
~ tone; you surely haven't sued me "
Yes | have replied the Quaker; and
thou shoulist be thankful that nothing
worse has happened to thee
Come IT,, then, said the debtor. fn ling
himself fairly caught 'comc in, and Will
pay you if must
The three went into tho house together
and the slippery gentleman having ascer-
tanned the amount Of the bill, paid II 10
iull. The tailor having signed TIC receipt
placed IL IN the bands e his la,e creditor.
with feelings such as may be readily i'm
agined. The swindler took 10, and Coz ihc FIRST
time glanced al The various items # which
It was composed. he said nothing till he
came to the last charge, which was for adj
vertising; when be broke eorth. Hall, ?
what's tbisl For adverti-iugY That's am
odd charge 10 tailor's bill You're cheat.
ing me
'Ob, no. cody replied the Quaker
that is al right have charged thee the
cost Of publishing the advertisement which
+ thou just showed ne.
H. tbo ..,,.lf.. -.-..---f-