Evening journal., 1899-08-22
RECOVERED THE MONEY.
Squire Who Was Governed in His
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
"Smulrs Legislative Handbook" and
the "Hagerstown Almanac" He once
broke aH records by collecting a debt
from a dishonest man who put in plea
that Hhe claim was barred by the stat
ute of limitations.
The defendant owed S27 to n grocer,
an easy-going man who carried the
debt on his books for several years
without making any effort to collect
It, lie 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
II could pay il II he would, and he is
sued summons for him. knowing
that the debt was outlawed the fellow
paid no attention to the summons, and
the squire sent his constable after him
with orders 10 fetch him TO the Office
at all costs. He was brought before
the squire and hearing was opened.
Did you get those goods?" the
squire asked him after proof Of the debt
had been taken.
"Yes, sir, but"
"Did you cat them?"
81 suppose did, but"
"rhat will do said the squire.
Judgment for the plaintiff for the full
amount Of the claim, with interest"
Il won't pay IT," declared the fellow.
"But you ate those goods and you've
got TO pay IT," retorted the squire.
IN 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" Numbered the squire,
"and / won't allow you to take advan-
tage Of H."
"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 roll of bills and
waved II over the squire's desk; there's
more than enough there to pay the bill,
but you won't get a dollar of it,"
In his excitement the roll slipped
from his fingers and fell upon the desk
The squire grabbed il. He put II in his
trousers pocket, ignoring the threats
and protests Of the other man, and he
calmly took blank from case back
Of him and began TO fiji it out. Then he
gave IL 20. the constable and ordered
him TO serve IL without delay. II was
an attachment the squire had issued
on himself. garnisheeing the money in
his possession belonging to the man
who was roaring ard tearing his hair
IN front Of him. After the attachment
was served, he went through the for
mality of paying the money to the
court" which was himself, to be held
for final decree. Then he proceeded to
consider the matter Of distributing the
money in. the hands of the court. The
first claim he passed upon was the
widows. He paid her in full and sat
istied the judgment he had given q
few minutes before. Then he diseased
his own costs and the constable's, in
cluding the expenses Of the attachment.
After these items were paid he handed
the balance 10 the man who ownedit
~ won't accept it," he shouted; "this
is downright robbery"
"You are guilty Of contempt Of
court, sir" said the squire, "and flne
you five dollars"
lie stripped q bill off the diminished
roll. Then the enraged man lost all
control Of himself and began TO swear.
The squire picked up pen and kept
tally until the outburst Of profanity
ceased.
Mine profane osths," said the squire.
counting the score, lat 67h cents per
oath, makes S6.0s."
He took two more bills off the roll
and changed one of them.
I'm appeal TO court" the worstcd
man said as he took the small amount
Of money left in his roll and departed
Pittsburgh News.