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(function($) {
    $.fn.extend( {
        limiter: function(limit, elem) {
            $(this).on("keyup focus", function() {
                setCount(this, elem);
            });
            function setCount(src, elem) {
                var chars = src.value.length;
                if (chars > limit) {
                    src.value = src.value.substr(0, limit);
                    chars = limit;
                }
                elem.html( limit - chars );
            }
            setCount($(this)[0], elem);
        }
    });
})(jQuery);

var elem = $("#msg_counter"); // Display span/div ID/Class
$("#message").limiter(250, elem); // Textarea ID