Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-07-16
RECOVERED THE MONEY.
A Squire Who Was Governed In HIS
Decisions More by Equity
Than by Law.

WIN SaAlS0 1lI1I3 NdS O]S Oh luOSc INA 0lS-
tsates who set aside the law when i
got in the way of justice. The only law
books he had about his Office were
''SmulIs Legislative HandBooli' and
the 'Hagerstown Almanac" lie once
broke al records by collecting u debt
from q dishonest man who put in Il plea
that Hle claim was barred by the stat
ute of limitations.
The defendant owed $27 to n grocer,
an casy-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 lot Of outlawcd accounts. His
widow turned the books over to Squire
Rodgers and he came across this So7
debt. He kncw that the man who owed
it could pay it if he would, and he is
sued q Summons for him. Knowing
that the debt was o,Itlawed the fellow
paid no attention to tho summons, and
the squire sent his consta bic after him
with orders to fetch him to the Office
at all costs. lie was brought before
the squire and a 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 thcm?"
II suppose did, but
''I'hat will do" said tho squire.
Judgment for the plaintiff for the full
amount Of the claim, With interest"
II won't pay it." declared the fellow.
Eut you ate those goods and you've
got to pay it, rctortcd the squire.
III take advantage Of the statute Of
limitations" the defendant asserted.
The statute of limitations was never
intended for such contemplate scoun-
dreis as you, sir" Numbered the squire,
and l won't allow you to take advan-
tagc of it,
"lou can't prevent it," said the de-
PENDANT, who was showing signs of
anger"
See here" he continued, as he pulled
out Of his pocket roll Of bills and
waved il over the squirc's desk; 'sthrrc';
more than enough there to pay the bill,
but you won't get dollar Of it."
In his excitement the roll slippcd
from his fingers and fell upon the desk.
The squire grabbed it. lie put it in his
trousers pocket, ignoring the threats
and protests Of the other man. and Iu
calmly took blank from I; case back
OF him and began to fill it out. Then he
gave 1T to the constable and ordered
him to serve it without delay. 1t was
an attachment the squire had issued
ON himself, garnshccing the money in
his possession belonging to the man
who was roaring and tearing his hair
in front of him. After the attachment
was served, lie went through the for
malitv Of paying the money to tic
court" which was himself, to be held
for final decree. Then lie proceeded to
consider tho matter of distributing the
money in the hands Of the court. The
1'rst claim he passed upon was the
widows. He paid her in full and sat
isiicd the judgment he had given a
few minutes before. Then he assessed
his own costs and the conStable's, in
Guiding the expenses of the attachment.
Atter these items were paid he handed
the balance to the man who owned it,
Il wont accept it he shouted; "this
is downright robbcry!"
You arc guilty Of contempt OF
court, sir said the squire, ''and fine
you five dollars"
he stripped a bill off the diminished
roll. Then the cnraged man lost all
control Of himself and began to swear.
The squire picked up a pen and kept
tally until the outburst Of profanity
ceased.
Nine profanc oaths," said the squire,
counting the score, lat 671a cents per
oath, makes *6.0S"
He took two more bills off the roll
and changed one of them
III appeal TO court" the worstcd
man said as he took the small amount
OF money left in his roll and departed.
Pittsburgh News.
pANE on nxuAnno