“IT’S A FIVER!”

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 29, 27 September 1912, Page 4

“IT’S A FIVER!”

THE TALE OF A JUDGMENT DEBTOR AND A MODEL WIFE.

He was a typical judgment debtor from “out past”, a rough weatherbeaten , co-operative but there was nothing about hip case to suggest a departure from those,, stereotyped proceedings that pi-ag their weary length through weekly eapnings, number of children', house rent, grocery bills, drink,, luxuries, and horse racing. ■ ,

Reluctantly he told counsel for judgment creditor (Mr J. 11. L. Stanford) at the Court this morning that IxOj had no ihopey, and, for this best ’of reasdiisj 'could not pay the debt—a doctor’s hill. Yes. lie wa,s married, and had four children, the oldest thirteen years of age. ,No; he could not give the amount of his earnings since the date of judgment, but his- last cheque was £9 6sj and the month before that £7. "Confidently, he explained that he had the sum of £3 in his pockets.' 1 /;■ !; " “What money have moil got altogether?” queried counselT ; : “Well, I’ll tell you,” replied the debtor, in a burst of confidence. “I’ve got a one pound note at home.” “We’re getting on swimmingly,” rejoined counsel. “Three pounds in your pocket, and £1 at home. Why, you’ll be able to pay this amount!'' But debtor did not think so. and the case went back, to grocery hills and rent. Then debtor happened to put his hand in his pocket. "Why, I’ve made a mistake, vour Worship, it’s a fiver,” he exclaimed jubilantly to the amusement of the Court. Ihe Magistrate, his face wreathed with smiles, suggested that the increase was a miraculous one. “Why,’ he said, “you’ll be a rich man before you leave this Court.” ' Counsel to Debtor: Now, tell me, you brought that fiver here to pay this amount, didn’t vou? Debtor: No, I didn’t. Counsel; Well, tell the Court what made you think vou had only £3 in your pocket. Debtor (confidingly); My wife said she d put £3 in my pocket,' and I took her word for it! This was too much for the gravity of the Court,, and dignity and decorum gave way to undisguised merriment. Counsel: Your wife must have a private horde"! Debtor: She’s got nothing. Counsel: Now, are you suxe you chdn t make the same mistake at home ? Perhaps that £1 note is a .fiver. Debtor: No, it isn’t. I’m sure it isn’t. 1 , Counsel: Tf I were vou, I’d be sure ol nothing. (More smiles). But you’ve certainly got £5 here, and with the £1 at home, you’ll be able to pay this, you know.' ' Debtor was not at all ulqased at losing his newly found wealth. "Yes,” he said, “but what am I o o ing to do?” Counsel: But, you know, there’s those two pounds vou haven’t counted on.

Debtor: What am I going to pay my other debts with ? '

But that was a Question that did not concern in the least the counsel for judgment debtor. He got his order jincl £3 “on the snot,** and it’s a very soft-hearted solicitor indeed who troubles himself with more. ' '