Evening journal., 1899-08-08
RECOVERED THE MONEY.
4 squire who was Governed In MIA
Decisions More by Equity
Than by Law.


"Old Squire Rodgers as every per-
son called him, was one OF those magis-
trates who set aside the law when it
got in the way of justice. The only law
books he had about his Office were
"Smull's Legislative Handbook" and
the "Hagerskown Almanac" He once
broke aA records by collecting debt
from dishonest man who put IN plea
that the claim was barred by the stat
ute Of limitations.
The defendant owed $2T TO a grocer.
an easy-going man who carried the
debt on his books for several years
without making any effort TO collect
IT, he died and left his family little
but a lot Of outlawed accounts. His
widow turned the books over to Squire
Rodgers and he came across this S27
debt. lie knew that the man who owed
IL could pay II II he would. and he is
sued n summons for him. knowing
that the debt was outlawcd the fellow
paid no attention to the summons, and
the squire sent his constable aSter him
with orders TO fetch him to the Office
at all costs. He was brought before
the squire and hearing was opened
did you get these goods7" the
squire asked him after proof OF the debt
had been taken.
"Nes, sir, but"
did you cat them?"
II suppose did. but"
"rhat will do" said the squire.
Judgment for the plaintiff for the full
amount OF the claim, with interest"
81 won't pay it, declared the fellow.
"But you ate those goods and you've
got to pay IT," retorted the squire.
"Pll take advantage Of the statute of
limitations" the defendant asserted.
"The statute OF limitations was never
intended for such contemplate scoun-
drels as you, sir," thundered the squire,
''and I won't allow you TO take advan-
tage Of it,"
"You can't prevent it" said the de-
fendant, who was showing signs Of
/ anger
"See here" he continued, as he pulled
out Of his pocket a roll Of bills and
waved It over the squire's desk; there's
more than enough there 70 pay the bill
but you won't get dollar Of it,"
In his excitement the roll slipped
from his fingers and fell upon the desk
The squire grabbed it. He put It in his
trousers pocket, ignoring the threats
and protests Of the other man, and h'
calmly took blank from case baci
Of him and began to fill il out. Then b.
gave it TO the constable and ordere,
him to serve 81 without delay. It wa
an attachment the squire had issue'
on himself, garnisheeing the money j.
his possession belonging to the maj
who was roaring and tearing his hal
IN front Of him. After the attachmen
! was served, he went through the foi
mality of paying the money TO th
court" which was himself, to be hel
for final decree. Then he proceeded I
consider the matter Of distributing III
. money in the hands Of the court. III
first claim he passed upon was th
b widows. He paid her in full and sa
e isfied the Judgment he had given
J few minutes before. Then he assesse
his own costs and the constable's, il
cluding the expenses OF the attachmen
After these items were paid be handle
, the balance to the man who owned IT.
: 81 won't accept 1t" he shouted; 9TH
E is downright robbery"
< "You are guilty of contempt {
court, sir" said the squire, "and IN
you five dollars"
He stripped bin of the diminishs
roll. Then the enraged man lost a
n control Of himself and began to swea
r The squire picked up a pen and lsel
e tally until the outburst of profanii
& ceased.
"Nine profane oaths," said the squir
e counting the score, "at 07M cents p
oath, makes S6.0s."
: He took two more bills of the re
and changed one Of them.
r "Ill appeal TO court" the wcrst'
n man said as ho took the small amoui
+. Of money left in his roll and departe
D. Pittsburgh News.
u A RACE OF DWARFS.