Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-08-30
A Boston Merchant.


oh, heed mothers prayer!
A Boston Merchant.
Under the title Of Dealings with the
Dead" we find in the Boston Transcript
the following touching tribute to the mem-
DRY of Long Wharf merchant:
One little narrative spreads itself before
my memory, at this moment, which re-
ceived from the only surviving son Of the
individual to whom 1t especially refers
A merchant, very extensively engaged in
commerce, and located upon the Long
Wharf, died February Is, 1906, at the
| age of rs, intestate. His eldest son ad-
ministered upon the estate. This old gem
tlenah used pleasantly to say, that, for
many years he had fed very large num-
Der Of Catholics, on the shores of the Med
itertaneah, during Lent, referring to his
very extensive connexion 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 down along shore," from the Cur
nets Nose TO Race Point. Among his pa
pers, a package, Of very considerable size,
was found, after his death, carefully tied
up, and labelled as followed -" Notes,
due-bills, and accounts against sundry per-
sons, down along shore. Some OF these
may be got by suit or severe dunning.-
But the people are poor: most Of them
have had fisherman'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 month";" said my informant,
"after our father died, the sons met to-
} gether, and after some general remarks,
our elder brother, the administrator, pro-
duced this package, of whose existence,
: we are already apprized read the super.
: scription; and asked what course should
. be taken, in regard to it. Another broth
er, few years younger than the eldest, a
man ofstrong, impulsive temperament, un-
able, at the moment. to express his feel.
ing, by words, while he brushed the tears
from his eyes with ons bend. BY spas
modic jerk Of the other, toward the fire.
/ place, indicated his wish to have the pack
, age put into the flames. 1t was suggested
by another of our number, that it might
be well, first, to make list Of the debt
ors' 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 payment, that their debts were
!, forgiven. On the following day, we again
assembled-the list had been prepared
and all the notes ,ldue-bills, and accounts,
whose amount, including interest. exceed.
ed lhirty-two thousand dollars, were CON-
, mitted TO the flames.
at was about four months after OIL,
fathers DEATH" continued my informant
:; in the month Of June, that, as I was sit.
I ting in my eldest brothers counting room
waiting for an opportunity TO speak with
him, there came in a hard-favored, little
J, old man, who looked as If time and rough
= weather had been to windward of him fol
seventy years. He asked if my brother
was not the executor. He replied thai
he was administrator, as our father died
, interstate. Well,' said the stranger
;, "I've come up from the Cape TO pay I
debt owed the old gentleman. Ny
brother, continued my informant, request.
ed him 10 take seat, being at the moment
engaged with other persons, at the desk
1.-THE old man sat down, and, putting
on his glasses, drew out very ancient
leather pocket.book, and began to coun
over his money. When he had done-ant
there was quite parcel Of bank notes
he sat, waiting his turn, slowly twisting
his thumbs, with his old, gray, medlative
eyes upon the floor, he sighed; and knew
the money, as the phrase runs came hard
land secretly wished the old mans nam.
might be found among the forgiven list
My brother was soon at leisure, and ask
ed him the common qhestions-his name
i SC. The original debt was four hundred
!. and forty dollars-it has stood long time
: and with the interest, amounted to sum
between seven and eight hundred. My
brother went to his desk, and, after ex
aiming the forgiven list atlen,ively,
sudden smile lighted up his countenance
and told me the truth at glance--th.
: mans name was there! My brother qui
city took a chair, by his side and con
versation ensued between them, which
never shall forget. Your note is out
: lawed," said my brother; " it was datet
twelve years ago, payable in two years
there is no witness, and no interest has
: ever been paid you are not bound to pa,
this note, we cannot recover The amount.
! Sir" said the old man, Il wish to pa,
: It. 1t is the only heavy debt have in tn
! world. 1t may be outlawed here, but
:, have no child, and my old woman and
hope we have made our peace with God
and wish to do so with man. should lik
n to nav I''--and he laid his hank notes bo