Mathews paid away the cheque "as money." Two days afterwards he got an indignant note, stating that the cheque was dishonoured. Out of temper, Mathews sent for the discounter, and he appeared with alacrity.
"Not paid! Gribble's cheque not paid--some mistake--it's as good as the Bank. Here, give it to me, I'll get it for you in five minutes. How long shall you be here?"
Mathews saw no more of the discounter or the cheque, the scoundrel entirely disappearing with the only proof in his pocket. But sometimes biters were bit, for an entry in one of the actor's diaries, dated January 1843, states, "called on Lawrence Levy to pay him £30, but borrowed £20 of him instead."
On one occasion a very gentlemanly man waited on Mathews.
"I'm sorry to trouble you," he quietly said, "but I've a duty to perform, and I am sure you are too much a man of the world to quarrel with me. I have a writ against you for a hundred pounds, and must request immediate payment, or the pleasure of your company elsewhere."
"Quite impossible," said Mathews, "at this moment to meet it; but I will consult with my treasurer, and see what can be done."
"Excuse me," said the sheriff's officer, "but I cannot lose sight of you; and whatever is to be done, must be done here. Come, pay the money, and there's an end."
"Why didn't you get him to renew the bill?" replied the other.
"He wouldn't renew it; nothing would induce him."
"Nonsense," said he, "accept this bill for the same amount, and put your own time for payment, and I undertake to get you his receipt."
"Agreed," answered the actor, accepting the bill, which, without another word the sheriff's officer took up, threw down the receipt, and walked towards the door.
"Stop," said Mathews, "you said you couldn't leave me without the money. What does all this mean?"
"It means that I paid your debt as I knew you couldn't, and now you owe it me instead. Be punctual, and I'll do as much again."
The sheriff's officer just described was not the only one who befriended the luckless manager. A kindred functionary of the law, having been struck by the cruel conduct of a vindictive tradesman, actually paying the bill himself, and receiving the money back from Mathews in instalments of ten pounds.