The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-07-11
MRS. BROWNS
DEBT PARTY
IS A SUCCESS
Gives S miles and
$4,000 in Checks
to Guests
By MARGARET DALE.

NOAcOAAu"sO~ AAScS ~ ASSHO~
Copyright, 1922, by The ArgusJ
Chicago, July 11.-After two
years suffering from the maledic-
tions of angry bill collectors, Mrs.
Frank Townley Brown left Chi
cago today in storm of praise.
with a clear conscience, a clean
slate. and what is more with the
elite Of Chicago's trade circles, once
her contemptuous creditors, now
her warm aGmirerS and socially at
least her debtors.
Mrs. Townley Brown came into
national prominence last winter be-
cause of landlord and tenant diff
culties with Billie Burke, the ac-
tress. There was a dispute about
the lease of the Brown residence
out on Chicago's famous Cold
Coast" and there were law suits
and everything, and Mrs. Brown
said it served her right for letting
her place to actors.
~Most Charming.
Monday Mrs. Brown gave her
previously announced formal debt
paying" party. 1t was huge sue
cess. Merchant prince and pluto
cratic plumber exchanged an en-.
graved invitation and a receipted
bill tor glass OF punch and a
check in full. The party altogether
has gone down on record as the
most charming gathering of the
! season.
For two hours a steady stream
OF milk carts, coal trucks, fioris
and laundry wagons, intersperset
with modistes' and milliners' linn
cuisines, deposited the guests at the
door, where they were formally
greeted by Charles. the footman
and ushered into the tapestry-hun:
drawing room.
At the head of the reception line
stood Mrs. Brown herself dressed
in a snappy white corduroy riding
habit. with silk shirt and diamond
horseshoe scarfpin, dispensing
smiles and checks with a true Vir
ginian hospitality. Soft footes
housemaids distributed cigarets
iced drinks, sandwiches and cakes
among the latter.
Sc0ffers Are Convinced.
! But many a guest who had COM
to scott remained to ingratiate.
WELL" a hardened grocer wa
heard to remark to a druggist, "I'n
glad l came. l thought it was go
ing to be a STALL"
Near the apparently plethori
checkbook was stationed a gentle
man dressed in the conventions
blue, and behind him two in plai
black. These, however, it was ex
planned, came to watch and not t
participate.
Invitations to this party were sen
out by Mrs. Brown in the probat
court. Failure to achieve earlie
settlement had so entargled Mrs
Browns finances since the death Q
her husband in 1920 that it wa
only by the most clever maneuver
and constant pleading that she KEEP
her creditors. at bay and RENAME
half step ahead of the sheriff.
But at the party all was peace
full. Giving and forgiving were tn
order of the day. Romance an
chivalry held sway.
| Old Virginia Custom.
"It is an old Virginia custom t
pay ones debts with ceremony" tn
|, hostess explained. Just so year
ago today my grandfather, Thoma
Marshall Glasgow, held Just such
party in the court house in Farqu
har county"
The invitation list to Mr.
Browns "at home" ranged from tn
executives of large downtown dt
partment stores to the owner {
the corner grocery. The indiviG
ual bills ranged from $40 to $500
More than $4,000. in debts wer
liquidated and more than 100 pei
sons or firms were paid off," sal
Mrs. Brown. There was only on
disputed claim and that was settle
quite amicably. l consider tn
party a huge success. l am no
on easy street and wished to pa
every cent I owed"