Smyrna times., 1888-10-10
Settling Old Debts.

Ellhu Jefferson, living near Bethel
church, on the State road five miles be-
low Smyrna, does not come to town
often now but he was here on Friday
on somewhat of novel though inter
estirg business object-to get the
money on q Government warrant or
draft in payment Of debt contracted
twenty-six years ago. During the
dark days Of the war of the Rebellion
when the rebels had crossed the Chesa-
peake, entrenched themselves at Cane
Charles and were Overrunning the low
er Peninsula mainly to gather recruits
and supplies, Gen. LockwoOd's brigade
was sent down to capture or dislOdoe
them. in passing through this town
and down the State road, those in
charge of the cOmmissary depart-
ment halted at Mr.. Jefferson's lust at
supper time and wanted oats to feed
their horses on the travel. Mr. JefTer-
son not liking to leave his wife in the
presence OF the strangers told the men
to go to the barn aud measure them
themselves, which they did, reporting
that they had got 30 bushels. In the
meantime the officers who had been
tempted by the savory smell which
alose from the supper prepared for Mr..
Jefferson and which he was lust ready
TO SIT down to, readily accepted the in
Vltation to partake of it themselves
cleaning up everything on the table as
hungry men would very naturally do
Mr.. j. feeling perfectly secure in the
knowledge that his wife had in tbe
larder the material for a second sumner
for him. There was nothing rude in
their conduct, touching nothing but
their supper which was proffered them
saying that the Quarter-master who
was coming on behind would call and
settle for the oats. This officer not be-
ing properly apprised Of the place or
something did not call, Mr.. J. was nut
TO the necessity Of making a reouisi-
ton on the Government which after the
due order of the ''red tape" process got
through and a warrant was issued for
MF. Jefferson's benefit for $46.5O. But
the attorney who got the claim
through, in forwarding the draft To the
bank here did it with the instruction
to pay half Of it, S23. .25 to Mr.. Jefferson
and return the other half to him. Mr..
}. utterly refused to accept the sum
SAID ne was willing to pay a reasonable
fee, something like $500 for collecting
but said sooner than give half of H. ne
would repudiate the whole thine
which he did. This was in 1875. Moth
ing more was heard Of it until lately
when the executor Of the attorney In
going over his papers found this unset
tied claim which led to a correspon-
dence and Mr.. jefferson receiving on
Friday last as above stated, the nav
for the original warrant in full. S46.5O
Geo. A. Hall was also in luck last
week from the same source. but on n
different count. He was then mer-
chandising in Sudlersville, Md, and
postmaster from the years 1864 to &c.,
During the time there was change in
the postal laws which changed the
method of computing the salary of the
postmasters, making it decidedly in
their favor, but for some reason they
were paid at the old rating. Latterly
il has been looked into for q purpose
we presume Of general liquidation lfor
Mr.. Hall made no claim on the Gov
ernmeptl and he was likewise surprised
last week by draft on Uncle Sans
exchequer.
just how much Mr.. Hall got we do
not know, but it was enough 10 law in
his winters coal, buy himself q new
suit Of cloths, his daughter new silk
dress and MS Wife probably a seal slxin
sacque. Who wouldn't Thus like ~
have Q Government Of such roeonross
for q debtor2