University of Michigan Law School - Quad Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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H1 ,Spf-,se he don't know it, nor as for that matter, Idon't jspogg mwbodv else does either. But landl scaring is the only way to fetich it? Those the Lord made able, 'the law can make willing, but there's no touching these independently poor ones,-poorer 'n green sassafras stovewood. Wl12if7S 3 ludgment gflod fm' at-sLlUSt such ll fellow? Waste of ink and paper! Heis got to be made to pay it. Let him once know the law can't make him do it, and itill never be done, for he's a bit dishonest. Comes by it naturally! I haven't known the Higgins tribe all these years for nothing. If he cheats a poor woman out of a board bill and comes out scot free hetll be anxious to do the same thing again. That boy needs training. Nothing like 'rousing a Spirit of honesty 111 the risin' generationn! . The Squire's.knowledge of human nature was better than his knowledge of the contents of W'ebster's spelling book. Bill Hig- gins was a coward at heart. He was not at all afraid of Mrs. Brown, but he thought the Squire knew what he was talking about. The spellingidid not worry him in the least, but such particles of dormant conscience as hehad, were quickly aroused into activity by those awful words 4' criminel ofensev. A With confused visions of grates, bars, and massive stone walls haunting him, he went about his work that day. The .hours never passed so slowly. He started at every sound, fearing it might be the constable after him. Every grating noise seemed the clinking of handcuffs. being fastened upon his wrists, or the jailer locking him in his cell. Oh! if he could but get to the Squire in time with the g3.0Ql Would quitting time never come? But long as it had seemed, that day drew to a close as all days do, and probably not taking more than the regular number of hours by the clock in doing it, either. That night a bullet-headed youth,iwith retreating forehead, coarse mouth, and slinking eyes, shuffled up to the anvil in the Squire's shop where he stood working. HI COIDC. 'CO pay that board bill D, he said, laying down two silver dollars, and two fifty cent pieces, That's all right. Lucky you was prompt. Better be quicker in Settling YOUT little debts, my boy, you might not get off so easily next time, you know . '

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bearing. The Sqnireis majority will be larger by two more vofq-33 the next time his terin of office expires. A poor, hardworking woman, a certain Mrs. Brown living near the Squire, had been boarding a worthless fellow named Hig- gins. l-Ie had failed to pay her. That was no wonder, on the contrary it would have been a wonder had it been otherwise. She had stated her case to the Squire: a He owes me 33.00. It's been nigh onto .two year since he boarded with us. You see 'twas while he was workin' in the stave mill, and I onlylkept him as an accommodation, so he could be nigh his work a couple of week 'fore his sister got moved in. I'd never a-taken him in only he said Mr. johnson was a-owin' him at the time. When he left he made the excuse that he hadnit got to see johnson yet, but would, and pay me just as soon as he could . Did you ever ask him for it ? asked the Squire, brushing back the stray locks. V Yes, and he'd always promise to pay it in at day or so. I hain't seen him lately . f'Oh! I 'spose he's dropped you from his list of acquaint- ances ,', said the Squire dryly. f'Well yes. I-Ie don't seem to know me no more. I begun to think he didn't intend to pay it, so I decided to put it in your hands. I can't well afford to lose it . ' ff I'll get it. 33.00 you said P The woman went out. The Squire bent forward and rubbed his hands vigorously, meanwhile talking to himself. V Poor Mis Brown! Takes in washing-Plague him! Got a houseful of helpless children, one a cripple-Plague him!! Brown'll never set the North river aiireg Z3.oo! two years! Plague him!!! I-Iis feelings were getting control of him, and seizing his pen, he scrawled the following in a plain, bold hand: H BILL HIGGINS, ' Dear Sir, You got Mis Brown to bord you by telin her you had money a-comin' from Johnson. You never ment to pay her. I Thatuwas a getting goods and chattels under false pretenses which is a crimrnel Ofense. I suppose prehaps you don't know jumpin bord bills' is a criminel ofense to. Come and setle immeditly or suffer the con- sequences. N. I. DESCUM, justice of the Peace .

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