The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1849-11-15
Paying an Old Debt.

III NouinicTCc, anu iOCdteu upon the Long
Wharf, died Feb. 18th, 1906, at the age
Of rs, intestate His eldest son admin-
istered upon the estate. This old gen
tleman used pleasantly to say, that for
many years he had fed very large num-
Der of the Catholics, on the shores ofthe
Mediterranean, during Lent; referring
to his very extensive connection with the
fishing business. In his day, he was
certainly well known; and to the present
time is well remembered, by some of the
old ones do,cn along Shore" from the
Gurnet's Nose to Race Point. Among
his papers, package of very consider
able size, was found after his death, care
fully tied up, and labelled as follows:
Notes, due-bills, and accounts against
sundry persons, down along shore
Some of them may be got by suit or Sc
we're dunning. But the people are poor;
most of them have had fishermen's luck.
My children will do as they think best.
Perhaps they will think with me, that it
is best to burn this package entire"
"About a month";" said my informant,
" after our father died, the sons met to-
gether, and, after some general remarks,
our eldest brother, the administrator,
produced this package, of whose exis-
tence we were already apprised, read
the superscription, and asked what course
should be taken in regard to it. Anoth-
er brother, few years younger than
the eldest, Il man of streng, impulsive
temperament, unable at the moment to
express his feeling by words, while he
brushed the tears from his eyes with one
hand, by spasmodic jerk of the other,
towards the Fireplace, indicated his wish
to have the package put into the flames.
1t was suggested by another of our num-
Der, that it might be well, first, to make
a list of the debtors names, and Of the
dates and amounts, that we might be
enabled, as the intended discharge was
for all, to inform such as might offer pay
ment, that their debts were forgiven them.
On the following day, we again assem-
bled the list had been prepared; and
all the notes, due-bills, and accounts,
whose amount, including interest, ex-
ceeded thirty-two thousand dollars, were
committed to the flames.
81 1t was about four months after on,
fathers death, continued my informant
Sin the month of June, that, as | was
sitting ia my eldest brothers counting.
: room, waiting for an opportunity to speai
with him, there came in q hard-favoref
little old man, who looked as if time ant
rough weather had been to windward 0
him for seventy years. He asked if my
brother was not the executor: He re
Piled that he was administrator, as ou
father died intestate. We'll, said thu
stranger, 1--WE come up from the Cape tt
pay debt owed the old gentleman. -
, s'My BROTHER" continued my informant
requested him to take a seat, being n
the moment engaged with other person
at the desk.
4 "The old man sat down, and putin,
on his glasses, drew out very ancicn
leather pocket-book, and began to coun
over his money When he had done
and there was quite a parcel of banl
notes-as he sat, waiting his turn, slow
, ly twisting his thumbs, with his old, gray
medtative eyesupon the floor, he sighed
- and | knew the money, as the phras
), runs, came hard, and secretly wished tn
u old man S name might be found upon tn
;. forgiven list. My brother was soon a
!, leisure, and asked him the commo
y = questions. his name, sc. The orlglna
u debt was four hundred and forty dollars
: it had stood long time, and, with th
interest, amounted TO a sum between Sc,
: en- and eight hundred dollars. My bro
} Their went TO his desk, and, after examir
y ing the forgiven list attentively, sudde
" smile lighted up his countenance, an
{ told me the truth at glance--the oil
=" mans name was there My brothe
quietly took chair by his side, and
! conversation ensued between them whic
= | shall never forget. Your note is on
:. lawed, said my brother; it was date
:, twelve years ago, payable in two years
- : there is no witness, and no interest hi
=, ever been paid; you are not bound
- pay this note; we cannot recover II
amount Sir, said the old man,
wish to pay it. 1t is the only heavy de
| have in the world. 1t may be OUTLAW
e ed here, but have no child, and my o
woman and | hope we have made OF
peace with God, and wish to do so wi
- man. l should like TO pay it, and
- laid his bank notes before my brothe
- requesting him to count them over.
y cannot take this money, said my brot
err. The old man became alarmed.
. have cast simple interest for twel'
~ years and little over said the old ma
: / will pay you compound interest ify'
say so. The debt ought to have be-
paid long ago, but your father, sir, w
very indulgent---he knew I'D been u
ct lucky and told me not to worry about i
&C "My brother then set the whole ma
u ter plainly before him, and taking Il
vi bank bills, returned them to the 0
he mans pocket-book, telling him that, I
s. though our father left no formal will,
hh had recommended to his children to d
r. stroy certain notes, duebills, and 9th
< evidences of debt, and release tho
"a who might be legally bound to pay the
ne ne For moment the worthy old man seel