The Monmouth inquirer., 1926-09-30
FRANKS OF FAMOUS DEBTORS.

How thoroughly Illogical was the
old usage of imprisoning debtors was
well expressed once by an Indian who,
in northern New York, saw man in
the common Jail, and inquired what
had been his crime.
HE owes 10 skins, which he can
not pay" he was told, beaver skins
being the currency of the region at
that time.
ugh! No catch-um skin shut up in
jail-house!" the Indian commented,
and strobe away.
But it was when debtors could and
would not pay that the most absurd
situations developed, as was the case
with Ouvrard, the great French con-
tractor general, who allowed himself
to be sent to prison rather than pay q
debt.
He led a life of princely expenditure
in his prison--for the purpose OF adj
ding another room to his quarters, he
paid the debt of the man confined
therein. One day the minister OF T.
nance was dining with Ouvrard, and
urged him to settle with his creditor,
pointing out that not only was he de-
prived OF his liberty, but that much
scandal was reflected on the govern
ment, which had so long retained him
as contractor general.
"Parbleu, Monsigneur." was the re-
tort, you speak very much at your
ease. | am here for five years, for
100000 of francs: gain, therefore,
by my imprisonment, 100000 a
year; and if you know of any specula-
ton at once more lucrative and sure,
| am not obstinately welded to this,
observe In that case, l will pay to-
morrow"
James Swan, an American merchant
of vast wealth, was committed to the
prison of st. Pelagie, in Paris, on July
%, 1903, for sum of 625,640 francs
about $125, 12S, - and repassed the
gates for the first time on their open
ing to the Revolution, July 20, 1880,
% years afterward. Mr.. Swan, though
possessed of what was at that time
considered a great fortune, amounting
to over million dollars, denied the
BUSINESS of the claim on which he was
committed to prison, and determined
to pass the remainder of his life In
confinement rather than submit to ex-
tortion.
1t was the French law at this time
that if a prisoner for debt escaped. the
keeper of the jail became responsible
for the debt, and this gave a light
hearted, If impoverished, Partisan an
opportunity to play a trick upon the
creditor who had thrown him into pri-
son. Presenting himself at the credit
or's house one day, much to the lat
ter's amazement, he coolly observ-
ed
"You see, / am free-have escaped.
You may certainly have me seized and
sent back to Jail, If you wish, but as
you are aware, can never pay my
debt. However, If you win give me
enough money to get out Of the coun-
try, you can claim the debt from the
keeper of the jail, who 10 well-to-do
and who will have to pay"
The creditor readily agreed to this
scheme, and handed over five gold
pieces, which the debtor took and de-
parted, presumably for the frontier.
Later in the day the creditor went to
the Jail and addressed the keeper.
haughtily:-
'tAs you are Of course aware, keep
er, my debtor has escaped. You. there
fore, are responsible to me for his
debt 5000 francs which will trou-
BILE you to pay"
"Your debtor escaped? Oh mol" the
keeper replied. placidly. I'm fact. he
has invited me to take dinner with
him to-day. Having Unexpectedly re-
ceived gift Of Ave gold pieces. he
has purchased little feast. which /
am to share. Behold" And the keep
er threw open door, disclosing to the
furious creditor his debtor, with .
compIacent smile upon his face. just
sitting down to a table heaped with
the finest viands. fruits and wines.