Evening journal., 1899-07-20
RECOVERED THE MONEY.
squire Who Was Governed in his
Decisions More by Equity
Than by Law.

Than by Law.
"Old Squire Rodgers" as every .peti
son called him, was one Of those inagis
trates who set aside the law when il
got in the way Of justice. The only law
BOOKS he had about his Office were
"Smulls Legislative Handbook" and
the "Hagerstown Almanac" He onte
broke aA records by collecting q debt
from a dishonest man who put In plea
that rhe claim was barred by the stat
ute of limitations.
The defendant owed s27 TO a grocer.
an easy-going man who carried the
debt on his books for several years
without making any effort to collect
II. 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 s2T
debt. He knew that the man who owed
II could pay il if 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 to fetch him to the ofiise
at all costs. He was brought before
the squire and n 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 eat them?"
II suppose / did, but"
"l9iat viii do" said the squire.
Judgment for the plaintiff for the full
amount Of the claim, with interest"
u won't pay it," declared the fellow.
But you ate those goods and you've
got to pay it." retorted the squire.
"I'll take advantage of the statute of
limitations" the defendant asserted.
"rhe statute of limitations was never
intended for such contemplate scoun-
drels as you, sir" thundered the squire,
"and / won't allow you to take adyan-
take 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 to 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 b,
calmly took a blank from a case bacl
of him and began TO fill il out. Then h,
| gave it to the constable and ordered
him to serve it without delay. 1t wa.
an attachment the squire had issueJ
on himself, garnisheeing the money il
his possession belonging to the mar
who was roaring and tearing his hai
in front of him. After the attachmeR
was served, he went through the for
mality Of paying the money TO th
court" which was himself, to be hel,
for final decree. Then he proceeded 4
consider the matter of distributing tn
money in the hands of the court. Tn
first claim he passed upon was III
widows. He paid her in full and sat
isfed the Judgment he had given
!
his own costs and the censtable's, il
cluding the expenses Of the attachment
After these items were paid he handei
the balance to the man who ownedit
81 won't accept It," he shouted; "thi
is downright robbery"
"You are guilty of contempt o
court, sir" said the squire, "and I fin
you five dollars"
He stripped a bill of the diminishe
} roll. Then the enraged man lost al
control of himself and began to swear
The squire picked up pen and KEEP
tally until the outburst of profanit
ceased.
mine profane oaths," said the squir,
counting the score, "at 67ib cents pc
oath, makes S6.0s."
, He took two more bills off the ro
[ and changed one of them.
"Ill appeal to court" the worste
man said as he took the small amour
Of money left in his roll and departed
Pittsburgh News.