The New York herald., 1922-07-11
Mrs. Frank Townley Brown
Invites Her Creditors to
Settlement Party.
PUNCH WITH PAYMENTS
Twelve Bill Collectors Sending
Roses Will Ever Remem-
Der the Day.

Special Dispatch to THE NEW YORK HnaALp.
CHICAGO. fully 10.-Mrs. Frank
Townley Brown was hostess at one
Of the most successful events of the
summer season at her Surf street home
to-day, when she received her credi-
tors at debt paying tea.
Her guests-rather creditors-in-
cluding plumbers, grocers, cleaners
bakers, butchers, home service ladies'
milkmen, icemen, vegetable flawkers-
were there in response to an engraved
invitation issued two weeks ago which
read:
Mrs. Frank Townley Brown an
nounces that, owing to delay in the
settlement of her late husbands
estate, she has been unable to meet
certain contracts and obligations.
Now that the estate has been set
tied she desires to say that on July
10, at her residence. 1876 Surf street,
between the hours of 10 and IL, she
will be pleased to liquidate any
honest debt contracted by her per-
sonally.
Mrs. Brown received in, a white
pique riding habit, as she had just
returned from brisk canter in the
park and had no time 10 change into
an afternoon gown.
A Striking Contrast.
For two hours, while the maid served
cigarettes. champagne punch (non-intox-
icating); bonbons, sandwiches. cam
dies and tea. Mrs. Brown wrote out
checks to her guests. The scene pre-
sented a striking contrast to one at
the residence two years ago. soon after
Mr.. Browns death, when the front lawn
was knee deep with bailiffs and bill
collectors we're lurking behind every tree
and shrub. ~.
1T would be an Injustice to the mem
ory of my husband" said Mrs. Brown,
Ito intimate that he left me insolvent.
He left realty, an imposing estate. Of
which / was practically the sole bene-
ficiary.
1T was only after a fight Of six
months that I obtained my widows
award Of $4,000. but that was a mere
drop in the bucket, as my living ex-
penses amount to $4,000 a year, and
you can't keep up home like this un-
less you have something back OF II.
But the nightmare. of bailiffs and
creditors Is ended now. Tomorrow 1
shall leave on motor trip to the East
with a clear conscience and a clean
slate. shall not owe anybody a cent
and shall have lived up to the precepts
of my husband, who always was punctii-
iols about his debts"
Guard Against "Rinsers."
In order to protect herself against
imposters and ringers Mrs. Brown in
cluded among her guests lieutenant OF
police in uniform and two unostentatious,
flatfooted gentlemen In plain clothes.
Mrs. Brown made a charming hostess as,
with pen In hand, she made out check
after check -
It was: "Oh. yes. I remember you
we'll. You're the iceman So kind OF
you to come and so very. very kind Of
you 90 leave ice. Let's see-$75.50. ]
believe that's correct. Won't you try
one of these little cakes, they're not bad
at all. Or dish Of this lemon ice?'
Or: "Oh. you're from the bank, aren't
you? Well. this is indeed pleasure
Do you know. II Il hadn't been for your
assistance I would have had no heat or
light. The utilities people cut II oft
Won't you help yourself to a cigarette
or try one Of these pimento cheese sand
wiches. the lettuce makes them so nice"
BY noon Mrs. Brown had cancelled
more than $4,000 of her obligations
the heaviest creditor being a state
street department store.
One hundred invitations were mailed
and 1o2 persons responded. The two
with ''phony' bills were taken. care Of
by the police.
Mrs. Brown received tonight a huge
bunch OF roses with a card bearing the
inscription From twelve bill collectors
who will always remember this day
with the fondest OF memories"
Mrs. Brown is president and or
ganIzer Of the widows Protective
League. which she established as a re-
suit OF her unpleasant experience with
the courts during her attempt 10 get her
widows award. She drew the lime
light once before when she attempted
to evict Billie Burke from her home
for non-payment Of rent and general
mutlation' of the premises.