The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-11-04
prom Hun,,. MsreAan.., M.ga1la..

From Hunts Merchants Magazine.
The CensldsrAts Merchant; or, Paying AN Old Debt.
There is moral in the following anecdote, which We
consider too instructive to be Loot to the readers OF the
Merchants Magazine, twas originally published, we
believe in the Boston Transcript We give it as we find
il in the Home Journal. OF NJ p. Willis and General
George p Morris We have reason to believe that the
story may be taken BY readers substantially true
merchant very AGED Fsssa% e.
1906 the age Of seventy-fye, niesiaie His eldest son
administered upon the estate This old gentleman used
e shores saa he
teranean during Lent referring TO his very extensive con-
nexion with the fishing business. In his day he was
remembered by some Of the old ONES down along shore,
from the Gurnets Nose to Race Point Among his pa
pers package Of considerable size was found after
Notes. due bills. and accounts against sundry persons
down along shore Some of these may be got by suit
severe d9nnng But the people are poor mpst o. them hem
thinbest Perhaps they will think with me, that It is
best TO burn this package entire"
ssAbout month";" said my informant, "after our
remarks our elder brother the administrator, produced
this package, OF whose existence we were already ap
priced read the superscrpton, and asked what course
should be taken in regard to it. Another BROTHER lew
years younger than the eldest man OF strong impulsve
unable the moment to express his feeling
by words while he brushed hs tears from MS syss w r
place. Indicated his wish TO have the package put INTO me
iames II suggested by another OF our number, that
il might be we'll first make list OF the debtors names
and Of the dates and amounts that might be enabled
the intended discharge for all to inform such as
might offer payment that their debts were forgiven On
prepared-and all the notes. due bills and accounts
whose amount including interest," amounted to thirtytwo
thousand dollars were committed % Inc ha s,e
continued my informant, !" in the month OF June, that
as was sitting in my eldest brothers counting ROOM
N hard favored s old man. who looked as L time and
rough weather had been to wndward of him for seventy
years. He asked if my brother was not the executor
died intestate. WELL said the stranger, Pve come up
from the Cape to pay debt owed the old gentleman
( My brother continued my informant requested him
to take seat being the moment engaged with other
persons at the desk. tt
The old men sat down, and putting on his glasses,
drew very ancient leather pocket book and began
to count over his money. When he had doneand there
was quite parcel Of bank notesas he sat- waiting his
turn slowly twisting his thumbs with his old gray medi-
iatve eyes upon the floor. he sighed; and knew the
the old mans might be found upon the forgiven list
My brother at leisure, and asked him the
bundled and forty doars- had stood long time, and
with the interest, amounted to sum between and
eight hundred dollars My brother went TO his desk,
and. after examining the forgiven list aentyey, sud-
den smile lighted up his counienance and told the
truth at glance-the old mans name was there My
brother quietly took chair by his side, and converse
Your note outlawed, said my brother, it dated
twelve years ago. payable in Two years; there is no wit
ness, and interest has ever been paid you are not
bound TO pay this notes we cannot recover the amount
Sir. said the old man, wish to pay it, is the only
heavy debt have in the world. II may be outlawed
here. but have no child, and my old woman and hope
we have made peace with God, and wish to do SO
with man should like 10 pay it,, and he laid his bank
before my brother, requesting him to count them
over Il cannot take this money said my brother The
old man became alarmed have cast simple interest
for twelve years and little over said the old man Il
will pay you compound interest you say The debt
ought to have been paid long ago. put your father sir,
was very ndugent-he knew I'd been unlucky, and told
me not TO worry about it.
"My brother then set the whole matter plainly before
him. and taking the bank bills returned them to the old
mans pocket. book, telling him that although father
left no formal will he had recommended TO his children
to destroy certain notes. bills, and other evidences of
debt and release those whs might be legally bound to
to be supplied After he had collected himself and wiped
few from his he stated that from the time he
had heard OF fathers death, he had aked and scraed
and pnched and spared, TO get the money together for
the payment OF this debt About ten days ago. said he
had made up the sum within twenty dollars My wife
knew how much the payment Of this debt lay upon my
spirits. and advised me TO sell cow and make up the
difference and get the heavy burden of my spirits did
so-and now what will my old woman sayl must get
hack TO the Cape and tell her this good She'll
probably over the very words she said when she put
her hand on my shoulder pared-I haze
The righteous Jorsaken, or has seed begging bread
Alter hearty shake Of the hand and blessing upon
old fathers memory, he went on his way rejoicing.
"After a short slence-taking HIS pencil and making
cast There said my brother. your part of the
me your share OF the pleasure derived from this operation
and the money Is al your service
Such s the simple tale which have told il told
TO me. 49,