The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-02-07
Paying an Old Debt.

There is moral in the following an
ecdote, which We consider too inS,ruc-
tive to be lost 1t was originally pub
lished, we believe, in the Boston Tran
script. We give it as we find it IN the
Home Journal. We have reason to
believe that the story may be taken by
our readers as substantially true:
A merchant very extensively en-
gagged in commerce, and located upon
Long Wharf. died February 18th, 1906,
at the age of seventy five, intesta,e.-
His eldest son administered upon the
estate. This old gentleman used plea
sanity to say, that for many years he
had ted very large number of Cath
ol.cs on the shores of the Mediterra-
mean 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 down along shore" from the
Gurnet's Nose to Race Point. Among
his papers, package of very consid-
erable size was found after his death
carefully tied up, and labelled Is fol-
lows: Notes. due bills, AMI accounts
against sundry persons down along
shore. Some of these may be 20, by
suit or severe dunning. Blu, the peo-
pie are poor: most of them have had
tishermen's luck. MY children will do
as they think best. Perhaps they will
think with me, that it is bes: to burn
this package entire"
About month, said my informant,
after our dear father died, the sons met
together, and, after some general re-
marks, our elder brother, the admins
tor, produced his package, of whose
existence we We're already apprised,
read the superscripiion, and asked
what course should be taken in regard
to it. Another brother, a few years
younger than the eldest, a man of strong
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 toward the fire place,
indicated his wish to have the package
put into the flames. 1t was suggested
BY another ofour number, that it might
be well, first. to make a list OF the debt
orS' names, the dates and the amounts,
that we might be the better 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 asssmihalifidtne haii
notes, due bills and accounts, whose
amount, including interest, amounted to
thirty-two thousand dollars, were COM
mitted to the flames.
II was about four months after our
fathers death, continued my intorm-
ant. in the month OF June, that, as was
sitting in nv eldest brothers. counting
room, waiting for an opportunity TO
speak with him, there came in hard
favored little old man, who looked as If
time and rough weather had been to
windward of him for seventy years. He
asked if my brother was not the execu-
tor. He replied that he was admins
TRAITOR, as our father died intestate.-
.Well.n said the stranger, "Fve come
up from the Cape TO pay debt | owed
the old gentleman" My brother, con-
tinued nv informant, requested HIM to
take a seat, he being at the moment
engaged with some other persons at
the desk
The old man sat down, and putting
ON his glasses, drew out very ancient
leather pocket-book. and began to count
over his money. When he was done
and there was quite parcel OF bank
notes-as he sat, waiting his turn, slow
ly twisting his thumbs, with his old
gray meditative eyes upon the floor,
he sighed; and | knew the money as
the phrase runs, came hard, and secret
" wished the old mans name might
be found upon the forgiven list. My
brother was soon at leasure, and asked
him the common questions-his name,
etc. The original debt was four hun
dred and forty dollars; it had stood for
long time, and, with the interest,
amounted to sum between seven and
eight hundred dollars My brother
went to his desk, and, after examining
the forgiven list attentively, sudden
smile lighted up his countenance, and
told me the truth at glance-the old
mans name was there! My brother
quietly took chair by his side, and a
conversation ensued between them,
which never shall forget "Your note
is ou,lawed," said my brother: III was
dated twelve years ago, payable IN two
years; there is no witness, and no inter-
est has ever been paid you are not
bound to pay this note; we cannot re-
cover the amount"
.Sir," said the old man, . wish to
pay it. 1t is the only heavy debt ! have
in the 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 like to pay it,"-and he laid his
bank notes before my brother, request
ing him to count them over. Il can
not take this money!" said my brother
The old man became alarmed. i
have cast simple interest for twelve
years and little over" said the old
1 man. Il will pay compound interest /!
YOU saw so. The debt ought TO lave