An ingenious method of paying one's debts has just come to light in England. It seems that a certain person had long been in debt to his shoemaker, and the latter was becoming angry at the delay. Calling upon the delinquent he spoke to him in no very gentle manner.
"But, my good fellow," the debtor replied, "I have no money, but I will give you an order on Mr. H——, who has been in my debt for ever so long. Here, take this sealed packet, but don't let him perceive that you know anything of its contents."
The shoemaker, in great hopes, betook himself to Mr. H——, and handed him the missive, which ran as follows:
"Dear H——, the bearer, an unfortunate but honest man, has lost his wife and children during the last week, and is, besides, threatened with imprisonment for debt. Persuaded that you will gladly seize the opportunity to assist a poor man in distress, I commend him to your kindness. Yours, sincerely, C——."
H—— gazed with emotion at his visitor, and pressed thirty shillings on his acceptance. The shoemaker departed in a happy frame of mind, little suspecting that he had been taken for a beggar.
