Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1851-10-30
Paying an Old Debt.

cities, died intestate, February 18th,
1S-, at the age Of seventy-fve. AZ
ter his death among his papers a
package of very considerable size
was found, carefully tied up and
labelled as follows:
'Notes, due bills, and accounts,
against sundry persons down along
shore. Some of these may be got
by suit or severe dunning. But the
people are poor; most of them have
fisherman's luck. My children will
do as they think best. Perhaps they
will think with me that it is best to
burn the package entire
About a month after he died, the
sons met together, when the elder
brother, the administrator, produced
this package, read the subscription,
and asked what course should be ta-
ken in regard to it, Another broth
er, few years younger than the ell
dest, man of strong impulsive tenn
permanent, 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 pack
age put into the flames. 1t was sug-
gested by another of the brothers
that it might be we'll first to make
list of the debtors names, and of
the dates and amounts, that they
might be enabled, as the intended
discharge was for all, to inform such
as might offer paymcntthat their debts
were forgiven. On the following
day they again assembled, the list
had been prepared, and all the notes
due bills, and accounts the amount
of which including interest, amoun-
ted to thirty thousand dollars, were
committed to the flames.
1t was about four months after our
fathers death, continued my inform
ant, in the month of June, and was
sitting in my eldest brothers coun-
ting room, waiting for an opportunity
to speak with him; there came in a
hard favored, little old man, who
looked as though time and rough
usage had been to windward of him
for seventy years. He asked me if
nv brother was not the executor
Nv brother answered that he vas
the administrator, as our father died
intestate.
'Well' said the stranger, I've
come up from the Cape to pay a
debt owed the old gentleman.
My brother requested him to take
a seat, being at that moment engaged
with other persons at the desk. The
old man sat down, and putting on his
glasses drew, out very ancient peck
ct book and began TO count out hi.
money. When he had finished, q.
he sat waiting his turn, slowly twir'
ling his thumbs with his old, grey
meditative eyes cast down npon the
floor, he sighed and | knew the money
as the phrase runs, came hard, and
secretly wished the old mans name
might be- found on the forgiying list
My brother was soon at leisure, and
asked him his name, residence SC.
The original debt was four hundred
and forty dollars; it had stood long
time, and with the interest amounted
to between seven and eight hundred
dollars. My brother went to hi;
desk, and after examining the for,
given list attentively, a sudden smile
lighted up his countenance, and tolt
me the truth at once, The old man:
name was there. My brother quiet
ly took seat by his side, and con
versation occurred between then
which shall never forget.
f Your note is outlawed,' said he
4 sit is dated twelve years ago, paya
7 BILE in two years; there's no witness
and no interest has ever been paid
: you are not bound to pay this; we cal
never recover the amount"
Sir said the old man, Il wish I,
pay it. It is the only heavy debt
have in the world. 1t may be out
. lawed here, but have no child, an
. my old woman and | hope we Aav