Michel De Coucy's Troubles

Charles Montgomery Skinner (August 4, 1844 - June 30, 1928) was an American writer who published myths and legends collection books. His dream was to make American folklore heritage more glorious. Skinner's writings were wide ranging. His career in literature and journalism included editorship of the Brooklyn Eagle. His study of the paper's famed Walt Whitman appeared in the Atlantic Monthly. He also commented on turn-of-the-century America's turbulent economy in Workers and the Trusts and American Communes.

This short piece of prose represents a bright example of Skinner's writing style -- laconic and clear. This story is set in America of the past, where men solved their problems in a rough way. A Frenchman finds himself in debts and soon he gets a message that says that he will see his daughter only when he pays off...