The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-04-11
A Newspaper Advertisement.

Some years ago, Quaker knight Of
the shears and thimble, who exercised his
avocation in Canterbury, was imposed up.
on by an adroit scoundrel, who contrived
to get suit of clothes on credit, and
afterwards decamped without paying for
them. The Quaker was too poor to lose
the debt /; but like too many others of his
cloth, he had apparently no other alterna-
tive. The account was placed upon his
books, and soon forgotten. About five
years afterwards he was examining his
old records Of debt and credit, profit and
loss, when his attention was attracted to
this account, and all the circumstances
attending it came fresh to his mind. Sud-
denly an odd thought suggested itself.
"I'll try an experiment." said he to
himself; perhaps l may succeed in
catching the rogue and getting my pay"
He Immediately prepared an advertise
ment, in substance as follows, which he
'"sff.Mi Henry wsbbsr, who was in Canterbury
about the month of August, in the year 1853, will
send his address to the editor this pa he will
hear Of something to advantage"
Having instructed the editor not to
disclose his name to the rogue if he should
call, but to request the latter to leave his
address, the Quaker patiently awaited the
result of his experiment. In short
time he was informed by note from the
editor that the individual alluded to in
the advertisement, 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 form the time that the
debt was incurred. Taking a bailiff
with him, who bore legal process suited
to the occasion, he soon arrived at the
lodgings of the swindler. The bailiff was
instructed to stand off at a little distance
till 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
gentleman of whom he was in search, that
friend wished to speak with him. The
waiter obeyed the summons, and soor
both debtor and creditor were looking
each other in tho face.
"How dost thou do ?" kindly inquired
the Quaker, in a bland tone. "Perhapl
thou dost not know me ?"
II believe l have not had the pleasur,
Of your acquaintance" politely answered
our hero, with forced smile.
"Dost thou remember purchasing
suit of clothes several years ago Of pco
tailor in this city, and forgetting to pa.
for them ?" asked the Quaker.
"Oh, no !" said the gentleman, blush
ing slightly; "you must be mistaken i
the person. 1t cannot possibly be IN
that you wished to find"
But the Quaker was not to be shake
, off by this denial OF his debtors identity
"Ah, John / know thee we'll. Tho'
art the very man | wished to see. Tho
has ON at this moment the very waist
coat that made for thee Thou NUS
acknowledge it was of good stuff and we
made, or it could not have lasted thee s
long
"Oh, yes" said the gentleman, appear
ing suddenly to recollsot himself; II d
s remember now the circumstances to whic
you allude. Yes, yes-I had intended t
call and settle that little bill before lea,
f ing Canterbury, and you may depend o
, my doing 80. | have come here to tax
possession of large amount of propert
: which has fallen to me by will. See
= here is the advertisement which apprizt
me Of my good fortune"
Here he handed to the Quaker cop
= of the paper containing the advertisemeI
s whose history we have given above. I'll
e Quaker looked at it with impertubab
Q gravity. and continued, "Yes. | see tho
a art in luck ; but as my demand is a yer
: small one, | think | must insist on pa,
n ment before thou comest in possession
!, thy large estates"
II A tap at the window here brought Il
county court bailiff into the presence
= the parties. The swindler was particula
n n ly astonished at the appearance of tn
s. functionary, who Immediately began
l. excite his part Of the drama.
What I" exclaimed the rogue in 4
angry tone "you surely haven't sue
4 me 7"
.. "Yes. have" replied the Quaker
: "and thou sh0uldst be thankful tn
!. !, nothing worse has happened to thee"
n Come in, then" said the debtor. fin,
d ing himself fairly caught; "come in. al
! l win pay you if / must"
I'M Al