def read_set_attribute(attribute_name)
      value = read_attribute(attribute_name)
      column_type = ((column_definition = self.class.columns_hash[attribute_name.to_s]) and column_definition.type)
      value = value.to_i(10) if column_type == :string
      value
    end
def read_set_attribute(attribute_name)
      value = read_attribute(attribute_name)
      column_type = ((column_definition = self.class.columns_hash[attribute_name.to_s]) and column_definition.type)
      value = value.to_i(10) if column_type == :string
      value
    end
Just a small wrapper about the `ActiveRecord::Base#read_attribute` method, which also checks the type
  of the column and converts the value to an `Integer` if `String` is given.