The native American., 1839-05-25
From the Boston Times.
THE POOR MANS CURSE.

Our intention is to illustrate principle. Some
years ago, Thomas Honestus, young man, wa
IN prosperous business. He felt that all promised
to be successful in his worldly affairs, and, un
der the influence of the hope which is strong in
many, he avaed himself Of the credit which his
condition and business offered. But he failed
His property was taken, to pay portion of those
creditors who were most vigilant, while MANY
others were left unpaid, and somewhat angry
Notwithstanding the clear, apparent state of the
case-that he had been acting in good faith and
with earnest endeavors to get along in the world
that his property was ample to pay all that he
owed, if properly disposed of-that his property
had been seized by the sheriff, sold at auction,
and sacrlhced-that ruin had come upon his bu-
siness, and disappointment upon his hopes, not
by fault of his, but by the ordinary casualties of
all sublunary things-notwithstanding all this,
those creditors who were losers were angry
They had lost money. Honestus might have
meant fairly, but they did not know. He had
not paid. They did not suppose they should ever
get cent. The demand was good for nothing.
But If they could ever catch him, SO that thew
could, they would screw it out Of him some how
or another.
Our hero, Thomas Honestus, was out Of bust
ness, in consequence of this calamity, some two
or three years. He worked along as well as he
could, told his family he was poor, and they must
be economical. He made them turn their old
garments, and keep us decent an appearance
ss possible. They lived almost down to an al
lowance OF bread and water, and poor Thomas
had no sustaining power left to encourage his
heart but determination that, SO long as life was
left, he would combat with misfortune, deny all
adverse destinies, and, with the blessing of Pro-
violence, triumph over calamity. Such a DISPOSE
tion will succeed at last. Honestus found friends
He was placed in business. He was fairly on
the way to prosperity. But he had scarcely
started on that way, before his angry, eagle-eyed
old creditors found it out. They saw the dawn
ing of new hope, and rose with its earliest light
to their prey. The hounds were on the scent.
The chase of dunning commenced, and Honestus
was smelt out and harassed in all his walks, and
his place of business, like the den of the wild
beast, was thronged with crowd ready to make
him victim second time. They would DESTROY
his substance, and, if the law would allow it, they
would destroy or incarcerate him.
Mr.. Benevolent met Honestus one morning
with smiling face, and accosted him cheerfully.
'Well, Thomas, l see you have got started
again, and seem to be doing we'll am glad of
it,"
s'Yes, sir, thank you, my prospects are again
good, and hope shall prosper
s'Thats right" said Benevolent; Ego ahead,
and don't be discouraged. But you know that
little debt of mine. Can't you settle that now?''
II cannot now. | have just begun with my
new business, and as soon as can, if have
luck, will pay you.''
"rhats right, my boy. / won't trouble you,
ior believe you would pay if you could. |
want the money, to be sure; but do you push on,
and DO the right thing soon as you can
This was the kindest and most pleasant dun
Mat ever poor Thomas received. He went away
from Mr. Benevolent with heart full of graft
tude, and eyes full of tears. But his feelings
were far from agreeable. His pride was wound
Cd that he was an object of charity His soul
yeamed to pay the debt, which Mr.. Benevolent
for he was poor man-really needed. He could
not do that act of JUSTICE and was tortured by the
thought Of his inability.
Honestus went along the street with his head
down, calculating the chances Of business, and
estimating how soon he should be free from the
degradation of debt, if he met with no misfor-
tunes, when Mr.. Grabtght called out to him
"Good morning, Mr.. Honestus; you are in
fine business, l am told, and want you to pay
this little b''
II am sorry cannot pay it to-day--really
am not able have just got agoing again, and
cannot take the money Of my friends to pay old
debts, till have made something"
81 have let this bill stand long enough" says
Mr.. Grabtight.
II know it has stood much too long," but it
has been out of my power to pay it."
"Well, you can pay it now. Havn't you got
any money? Pay part"