Sure, you can leave. You just need to settle your debt at the store before you do. We did give you that advance after all. And don't forget the rent that you're paying us, and how you're a few months behind. Maybe next year would be better. Save up, get out of debt, then leave town. Never mind the fact that we control both your income and your expenses, and will make sure that never happens.
I'm not sure of the specifics, but in the US personal bankruptcy didn't exist in its present form until 1978.
It's very likely, that it was incredibly difficult to file for bankruptcy in the era of company towns in the US---i.e. 1880 (first bankruptcy bill was filed in 1889) through 1934.
