He Got His Pay

1895

An Odd Coincidence That Occurred Between Borrower and Lender.

"Here is one of the odd coincidences of life," said my friend Williams. "Some time ago an acquaintance came to me and told me he was in great need of $15, and at considerable trouble to myself I let him have it. He promised to return it in a few days.

"When three weeks had elapsed, I mentioned the matter to him casually, and he was profusely apologetic — would send it to me the following day sure. It didn't come, though, nor did I get any word from him. About two weeks after that I met him in Broadway. He declared it was a shame I hadn't got my money and vowed he wouldn't let another day pass without paying me.

"It went along then for a week or ten days, and, as my expenses were very heavy, I was considerably embarrassed and needed the money badly. One night, when I was feeling particularly discouraged, I sat down and wrote him a note. I said: 'My Dear Sir — About six weeks ago I loaned you $15. Lest the paying it should occasion you any inconvenience allow me to hereby make you a present of the money.'

"That will bring it, if anything will, thought I. Judge of my surprise when by the next morning's mail I received a letter from the man inclosing the $15. By the same mail exactly he must have received mine making him a present of it, and by the dates both letters were evidently written at about the same hour." — New York Herald.