The daily gazette., 1877-11-06
: A COOL DEBTOR.
BY sQUIB.

BY SQUIB.
Colonel Crocker of Mansfield, Ohio,
was lawyer aud merchant in that pia ce
some twenty-five years since. He was
tall, muscular man, noble and high-mind-
ded la all his transactions in life. He
purchased his goods in Pittsburgh, and
had occasion to repair to that place at q
certain time and fork over, and purchase
more goods. On his arrival at Pittsburgh
he called his creditors together and told
them he would not be able to pay them
but fifty cents ON the dollar, and If they
would accept to that proposition, he was
ready to do it.; if not, they might dispose
OF him as they pleased. They would not
accept of his offer, but had him arrested
and put him in prison. On arriving at
the Jail, he found three hearty looking
men, who were confined for debt, sitting
on their blocks or stools In rather des-
pOnding attitude.
SWELL" said the colonel, to vhe one
nearest him, "what are you here for?"
"For debt, sir" replied the prisoner.
SHOW much is it?" asked Colonel
Crocker.
"Three or four dollars" was the re-
ply.
The sheriff being presently, allow much
is it Mr.. Sherifi?'
'Four dollar seventy-fve."
"Well, }" said the colonel, 'shere is the
money, but don't let me catch you here
again for that amount"
The colonel addressing the next one:
"Well, sir, what are you here for?"
"For debt, sir"
Show much is it?"
"TweEty-five dollars, or more.
"Yess," said The sheriff, twenty-five
dollars aud seventy-five."
"Well said the colonel, "here is the
money, and now clear yourself and let
me not see you here again."
The colonel put the same question to
the third one, and paid twenty five dol
lars for his liberation.
81 have now," said the colonel, eva
Gated the coop and am cock of the walk.
Now, Mr.. sheriff, lock me in and 90 and
engage me good, trusty servant Inan at
good price. I've got the money to pay
him and you also for your trouble, and
one with whom you can entrust the keys
of the prison" l...I4.
"Very WE'LL" sad the sheriff, "I will
do So" ar -
Accordingly the man appe ared with
the key Of the prison 10 his hand. ...5
''Well," said the colonel, "you have
come, suppose to work for me while L
remain in this solitary abode of Justice. -
Eyes, sir" was the reply.
"Now," said the colonel, "get all the
help you want to renovate this room by
white washing, etc, and, in the meantime
purchase one table, six chairs, one bed
stead and bedding, one wash bowl stand,
two-6allon jug of the best brandy in the
city, loaf sugar, pitcher, tum bier, decant-
ers, and all that is convenient and COM
tortaoie Tor gentleman to keep house
with, and put them In as soon as the room
is cleaned" and the colonel furnished the
necessary funds.
All these acquisitions being complied
with, his hired man was employed from
day to day IN attending to visiting gentle
men, and also to see the colonel furnished
with all the luxuries and comforts of life,
Gentlemen and ladies and creditors came
to visit the colonel the latter were sur
prlSed to see the expense incurred by fit
ting up room, furnishing it with such
costly furniture.
"Well," said the colonel to his credi-
tors, 81 was raised to live decently and
comfortably, aud when you had conveyed
me to this horrible place of Justice,
found itin filthy, uncomfortable condi-
tion, and l was determined to make it
more comfortable during my stay in this
unholy abode. And further" said the
colonel, "call on me tomorrow W at 3 D. M,
and dine with me on fine roast turkey
and although my conveniences to enter
tain gentlemen are not very good, as [
am confined to this room alone, L will en-
deavor TO make you as comfortable as
circumstances will permit"
every WE'LL" said his creditors, tive
will dine with you on the morrow"
AT dinner, Colonel Orocker's creditors
said they did not feel disposed to keep
him in prison. If he could not pay but
fifty cents on the dollar, they would take
it and give him discharge.
"But," said the colonel, II have incur
red some necessary expenses that must
be deducted out of that fifty cents"
"What are they" asked one of his
creditors.
"One hundred and five dollars and fifty
CENTS" said Colonel Croeker, ''for the
liberation of three prisoners, which l
conceived to be an act of charity and hu-
manity; and then again my expenses in
hitting up the prison room-a duty ow-
ed TO myself-treating friends, hiring
help, etc, and SIX days imprisonment at
S3 per day, will amount IN all to S181,
and l will pay the balance after deduct
ing this"
Every WELL" said his creditors, "we
will do it. We don't want to see YOU alb
sent from your family for the paltry sum
of 81 900, when say, honestly you are un-
able to pay the whole"
Very WELL said the colonel, sI have
told you what | would do, and will do
nothing else. Let us make out an esti-
mate of the amount you are to have"
GAN being done, olonel Crocker pur-
chased lot of goods. and returned to his
residence in Mansfield, Ohio.
MURDER OF 4 PRINTER.
Michael Cavanaugh, aged 81, of AZ
Thomas street, New York. a printer en-