The sun., 1888-05-06
FORCING MEN TO PAY DEBTS.
ODD SCIENCES ON a TRIr WITH A NAN
WHO COLLECTS OVERDUE BHL6.

Otter that shanes THEM into BquariuE
Up-Other Schemes aud Plans Inventea.
A fat, protuberant, curly headed man OF
some 60 years sat In an Office in the Equitable
building last week. He would have been
Jolly looking man were 1t not for cynical ex-
preston that at times came into his face, fitted
over his big cheeks, and escaped out OF the
corners Of his rolling blue eyes. He was read
ing over list OF names and oaressing ono OF
his fat legs at the same time.
"Oh, hos q scamp, voritable scamp" he
muttered.
The reporter looked around to see about
whom he spoke, but there wasn't anybody else
III tho room.
You New Yorkers," continued the fat man.
addressing the reporter, "aro an awful lot OF
touEhs The worst beats in the country are to
be found in New York. and this is the paradise
for men who don't pay honest debts Tho law
is oil in their favor. Now, Boston. whore
came from several years ago, is much more
honest place. and there is much less sympnthy
shown to roEues who defraud tradesmcn.
There. II man owes bill. you can got out an
attachment for him, and any deputy sheriff
will arrest him Then II he don't pay. or give
solid reasons for not paying, he will be locked
up until he does In New York you can't do
that. II you recover judgment against man
and he don't answer 1t you haul him into court
on supplementary roceedings-provideda al
ways. that the sum in litigation amounts
to $25 exclusive Of COSTS Then you ex-
anime him as to his property and In
come, and nine chances out OF ten he will lie SO
abominsbly about 1t that you will not be able
to get anything out OF him. The law allows
every man sufficient income to support himself
decsntly. and your man will bs sure to make 1t
appear that his income is burdened by SO many
claims that 1t falls within the limit prescribed
by the law. The only way in which you can get
men OF this kind. and think thore are about
100000 OF them in New YORK, to pay up. is to
worry and annoy them into 1t. am going to
send out man now to personally dun some
recalcitrant fellows until they either pay or
show that they can't be coerced In any manner.
and II you want to see how 1t is done you can
60 along with HIM"
The reporter at once acouiesced. He was
taken into an adjoining room whore a small.
sharp gray bearded man was arranging @ some
papers that looked like tradesmen's bills De
shook his head as his eyes rested on some OF
them and the expression of his face beeame
ss1 as and sad
Well. you'll get tired OF It, no doubt before
you've. gone far, but it will convince, you st at
mn sin m e Sd that still have
1t was II O'clock when the old man and the
reporter stepped out Of tho elevator on the
ground floor of the building and began their
the only feeling that survived in the reporter
at its end was one OF surprise at the indomit-
resist the very reason able desire to commit
suicide, From the moment that the 2, two two
Of severity and brlskness. In those moments
when he confded to his companion some Of
so IN q low and half aroiogetic tone. He
moved swiftly and with decision, and and , never
allowed his temper to interfere with his plans
of a broker at Wall street, near Broadway.
rs Mr.. Blank lnl" he demanded in loud
s e Il
stuck his head out OF the door OF one Of the pri-
vate offices and scowled at the questioner,
I've got a bill for $3.50 against you, Mr..
Blank" said the little man, not whit abashed.
would ke to have settled It has been
ton has been paid TO letters or personal visits.
This is the first time & that n have been able to
see YOU personally. nrs The bill Is from :" the
Mr; Blank turned scarlet earle. as the torrent no Of
oflice taS Ds0a Was nearly ied with customers. who
looked at tho discomfted dude with amuse-
ment. Two other men IN private 0fdces H cane me
Perhaps SIR" said one OF them. who .sp-
Kind enough to inform your caller that This is
my office and not yours. do not desire to
have scenes Of this kind : enacted here and
This was said with emphasis, and then the
ard banged his bnr
he exclaimed IN whisper ;',, t1 the relentless
TSs SS1 oY 1s viii e the aSss rs
thing you know. and then where'n your money
h,,<,
ly. Well. that is just what am aiming at. You
will either pay that money now. or will come
in here, eyery, day and yell Just exactly that
debt or we win give YOU as much annoyance as
anger, and the reporter worried little for his
companions safety; but the crisis passed. and
MI! Bsak ea s16sHd spoand ans and Ta'S ses to-
morrow, morning sure" he said. as quietly rs
aTSat SHnst won't do" was the reply. You've got
to pay now or III wait here an day"
~, But haven't got the money" expostulated
You've got plenty OF friends md collateral
ring on the clerks finger. and TO his watch
'IS Poor M Mr. Blank rctreated to his of,ce for
nb and oG ee hea naa IN %h
was then recsipted. and tho collector bade the
young man adieu as calmly and pleasantly as
friendly relations. Inreturn he received a look
that sroke volumes.
Outside tho Office the collectors features re-
laIed Tor a moment into smile.
Il was fortunate in catching him there" he
said, He is n young swell who lives high on
small income, and consequently doesn't pay
his debts He is one OF the toughest customers
! ever met because the only way you can force
are there. It is only fear q dismissal that IN.
BEEN been there here wouldn't have got a cent"
- should think you would d, meet with ; per;
rs though IT wouldn't take much to make him
punch you In the head"
a sad look passed over the little mans face.
II have been kicked down stairs and out OF
doors three times altogether within the past
year, have inst escaped being pounded Into
Jelly once. That however. Is q part of my
profession and have to take It. There isn't
as much danger as you would suppose, for.
however mad people get. they always have
wholesome fear Of consequences."
Near the Produce Exchange the collector
paused. extracted a bill from a number that he
took from bis inside pocket. and folded it in
his hand. His face wore a dubious expression
as he ran up the stone steps of big building
and walked through the hall to the elevator.
At the sixth floor he got out and walked slowly