End All Debts in One Week.
It is a custom of the Chinese to pay all their debts on New Year’s Day and start the year with a clean slate. The people of Hume, Mo., believe that to be a good plan and conducive to a more neighborly feeling, so the present week has been set aside here as “pay-up” week. During this time everybody is expected to pay all debts, return everything they have borrowed, and, in general, square up every account that is outstanding against them.
At the same time it is hoped that the “paying up” will extend somewhat beyond the commercial side and result in the settlement of all personal differences and general reconciliation of those who have been at outs.