New Way To Pay Old Debts


A PRISONER in The Fleet sent to his creditor to let him know that he had

a proposal to make, which he believed would be for their mutual benefit.

Accordingly, the creditor calling on him to hear it: I have been

thinking, said he, that it is a very idle thing for me to lie here,

and put you to the expense of seven groats a week. My being so

chargeable to you has given me great uneasiness, and who knows what it

may cost you in the end! Therefore, what I propose is this: You shall

let me out of prison, and, instead of seven groats, you shall allow me

only eighteenpence a week, and the other tenpence shall go towards

the discharging of the debt.



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