Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1890-11-15
ON the Bridge of Debts.

From the Youths Companionl
The credit system" as it is ordi-
narily known nowadays, appears to
belong to an advanced state uf society
and IL be impracticable under simple
conditions of life but it is in use, never
theless, in some very primitive COM
munities. In the valley of Possey, in
the Austrian Tyrol, where the Alpine
inhabitants lead a simple life, practic-
ally all business and work is conducted
ON credit, subject to an annual settle
ment. On certain day in winter the
inhabitants of the valley meet at the
bridge of st. Leonard's, IL place which,
IS convenient to all, and the day is
spent in balancing accounts.
The first business IN order at these
meetings is the payment of debts.
Every one pays what he owes. Some
depend upon what they collectcto meet
debts owed to others, but the inhabi-
tants of Posscy are thrifty and honest,
and there is usually money enough to
go around. The bridge of st. Leonard's S
in other words, is the clearing house of
the valley of Posscy.
After the debts are paid, contracts
are entered into for the next year.
Labor engages itself, and the farmers
crops are often bargained for in
advance. If any debtor fails to appear
at the bridge and meet his dues on
this ''squaring-up" day he is praci-
cally cut of from further dealings with
the other inhabitants of the valley.
No more credit is allowed him. and he
is generally fain to re-establish him
self in the good will of his fellows by
paying his debts us sCon as he possibly
can. To be able to hold up ones head
on the bridge is the test of solvency
and honor.
There is tradition in the Tyrol
that once, Il long time ago, after year
OF scarcity and disaster, the inhabitants
of the valley of Possey meet at st.
Leonard's bridge. Each one owed
some one else and each one was owed
by some one else. Consequently each
depended upon being paid by his
neighbor who owed him, in order to be
But rs no one appeared TO have any
money no ones debts could be paid
The people stood around in dispair,
until presently well-to-do miller, who
was known to have money, arrived.
Good - said Hans Melchoir, the
tailor. Here is Wilhelm Gutpfenning.
He will start the ball rolling. Whom
do you owe, Wilhelm
''No one!'
$50? Well, you will lend me forty
gold thalers until noon?''
The miller though the matter over Il
moment.
"Yes, he said. II believe you arc
honest, Hans Melchior | will lend
you the money
He advanced 40 thalers to Hans, who
used il TO pay his debt to Pieter, the
weaver, and Pieter, the weaver, passed
it ON 10 discharge his obligation to
another citizen, and SO IL went from
hand TO hand, discharging the very
moderate debts of the Possey inhabi-
tants until IL came to the last man, who
happened TO owe Hans Melchoir just
40 thaers. He paid ii, OF course, and
with IL Melchoir nj once settled his
debt 10 Gutpfenning, the miller.
Now since the miller had paid him
self ont of the grist rs he went along,
and was owed by nobody, his forty gold
thalers had paid all the debts in Possey,
and though every one else had come
TO The bridge in tho morning money
less. every one went home In tho after
noon solvent and happy