"A BLOOMING ROGUE."

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 190, 1 September 1888, Page 2

"A BLOOMING ROGUE."

Such is the term which a bankrupt the other afternoon applied to a male companion who had been a partner with him in his joys—the joys of living at other people's expense. We would not like to say Mr Theodore Carl Lange, the person who used the expression, is of the same class, but there is much in his conduct to which tradesmen at any rate have ever? reason to object. Although he succeeded very well in getting credit, he certainly does not show the cleverness which many before him have done in extricating himself from his difficulties. Still that does not in the least excuse him, for the cause of his taking advan, tsge of the law seems to have arisen from a bit of pique. But all through the affair is disgraceful, and the creditors themselves are not without blame for allowing themselves to be used in tijat way, though this does not lessen the shamelessness of Lange’s conduct. One cannot restrain a smile on thinking how this young man managed to take life so easily, and make himself such an object of admiration among the fair sex by his amiability and “generosity," but more sober thoughts teach us that in this case there requires to be a severe lesson given, if it is only for Lange's own sake. There are soma who can only gain wisdom by bitter experience, and Lange, if he does not know, should be taught that it is not honest to spend his money in flirting with girls instead of paying his creditors. If hie mate had let him in for even half the amount of his liabilities, it would put Lange in no clearer a light—the debts should have been paid before they augmented to Buch an extent, email though that may be in comparison with other bankruptcies. The very evening following the bankruptcy meeting Lange was gaily disporting himself at a dance, which shows that hie disgraceful position has made little impression a# him. This truly proves that the credit system Jj» a curse to commerce, and if Lange is allowed co phirk the payment of hie debts we wish the creditor, no worse misfortune than that they may get mauy more like him on their hands. One can conceive how a business «iar„ or a man with a large family,, might through misfortunes be compelled to seek the protection of the bankruptcy laws, but it is a ridiculous farce that a young man like Lange should have the barest chance of escape in this way. It amounts almost to insanity for him to attempt it, seeing that the preliminary costs amount to nearly a fourth of his total debts.