Weekly Trinity journal., 1871-04-08
THE DEBTORS REFUGE.
A Dead Line and its Meaning.

a.
itues of that neighborhood as the " dead line"
across which to certain unfortunates, it is al
most sure danger to pass. This line is supposed
to divide the jurisdiction of the United States
from that of the Dominion of Canada. AL
though in reality, the bridge itself is neutral
nary dangerous qualities.
On the bridge, at almost any time, men may
be seen loitering-to all appearance being COM
mon tourists, or, perhaps, dwellers in the vcin-
ity of the structure. These individuals, if they
are closely watched, it will be seen, do not cross
the entire length of the bridge, but stop at or
about the g dead line," and converse with 9TH
ers, little distance off on the other side. The
men arc debtors of either one or the other coun-
try, who through immediate necessities or the
dread of the Sheritfs officers, have been obliged
to step across into the friendly other side, and
await a settlement with their creditors, or for
something to turn up" On Sundays, when
civil law for debt is void, these gentry make
point of visiting their late country, and many
are the tricks played to keep them there till the
arrival of the Monday. If quarrel can be
picked with them at all, it is done by some bully
hired for the purpose, and then both are arrested
and locked up for hearing. If he drives out
some distance into the country his horse is lamed
his wagon linch-pin removed or his harness cut.
Oftentimes an unlucky wight is thus entrapped,
but generally, if liquor is avoided, the debtor
manages to escape the pitfalls placed for him to
walk into.
AS consequence, he gets careless, and is
more easily caught. He will cross the g dead
line' and walk boldly to the other end of the
bridge, confident that he can retrace his steps in
time to avoid capture.
One thus careless, a fine, active young Scotch
man, and a perfect athlete, was accustomed to
boast of his strength and agility as always able
to rescue him if caught; but one day he was
found nearly wanting. He was a fugitive from
Canada, where he owed large sums, but having
money to live upon, preferred, in careless,
daredevil way, to live close to his late home,
instead of moving further back into the States
He was accustomed to walk to the Canada end
of the bridge, where he would chat with the Off
GERS there on duty A Canadian Sheriff deter
an assistant in women's dresses they came on
the bridge at the American end, and approached
their captive, being between him and freedom.
At last they were close upon him, and the
Sheriff, placing his hand on the debtors shoul-
der, proclaimed him his prisoner. The athlete,
however, was too much for the law. Springing
to his feet, he struck out right and left, and
flooring his woud-be captors, made for the
dead line" at full speed and crossed it in
safety. Unfortunately for the Sheriff, the law
held him responsible for the debt of his late
prisoner, as he had allowed him to escape after
proclaiming him his prisoner. The debts had,
therefore to be paid by the Sheriff, and he laid
plans for vengeance
The Scotchman was very careful for q few
weeks, but caution wearing off, a new plan was
laid for his capture. Along the bridge were
stationed, at that time, large hogsheads filled
with water for use in case Of fire, and the Cana
dian Sheriff managed to obtain leave to empty
several of these and place men therein The
debtor one day sauntered by these vats and ap-
preached the Canadian end. In few minutes,
turning his head, he saw his captors in line
across the bridge, coming down upon him, and
yielding to the inevitable, he surrendered and
finally paid up his debts.
The devices used by the British soldiers to de-
sert are many. Lately, man appeared wheel
ing in a barrow barrel of flour. On reaching
the United States side, the head Of the barrel
was knocked in, and deserter from the British
ranks was released from his close quarters
Correspondent New York E0ening Post.