Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-10-14

day they again assembled, the list had
been prepared, and all the notes, due
bills, and accounts, the amount Of which
including interest, amounted TO $50, 900,
were committed TO the flames.
1t was about four months after our
fathers death, continued my informant.
IN the month of June, that was sitting
In my eldest brothers counting room,
waiting for an opportunity to speak with
INN, there came in a hard favored. little
old man, who looked as though time
and rough usage had been TO windward
or MIN for seventy years. He asked me
II my brother was not the executor. Nv
brother answered that he was the ad-
ministrator, as our father died intestate.
" Well" said the stranger. ''I've come
up from The Cape to pay debt owed
the old gentleman -.
My brother requested him to take a
seat, being at the moment engaged with
other persons at the desk. The old man
sat down, and putting on his glasses,
drew out very ancient pocket book and
began to count out his money. When
he had finished, as he sat waiting his
turn, slowly twirling his thumbs with
his old, grey, meditative eyes cast down
upon the floor, he sighed, and I knew
the money, as the phrase runs, cane
hard. and secretly wished the old mans
name might be found on the forgiving
list. My brother was soon at leisure.
and asked him his name, residence, sc.
The original debt was $40 it had stood
long time, and with the interest, amour.
ted TO between Z and 500. NV brother
went to his desk, and after examining
the forglving list attentively, a sudden
smile lighted up his countenance; and
told me the truth at once. The old
mans name is there. NY brother uui-
city took seat by his side. and con.
versation occurred between them which
shall never forget.
Your note is outlawed,' said he. 1T
IS dated II years ago, payable in two
years; there's no witness, and no inte-
rest has ever been paid; you are not
bound 10 pay this note we can never
recover the amount
Sir said the old man I wish 10 nav
It, 1t is the only heavy debt 1 have in
the world It 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.
| cannot take this money said my
! brother.
! The old man became alarmed. Il
have cast simple interest for 10 wears.
and a little over said he. / will paw
you compound interest, if you require
1t; the debt ought to have been paid
long ago, but your father was very in
dulgent; he knew that | had been I'M.
lucky, and told me not to worry about
it,
My brother then sat the whole matter
before him, and taking the bank bills, re-
turned them to the old mans pocket
book, telling him that, although our ia
ther never left no formal will, he had
recommended to his children to DESTROY
certain notes, due bills, and other evi.
dences Of debt, and release those who
might be legally bound to pay them.
Fol a moment the worthy old man
appeared to be stupefed. After he had
recollected himself, and wiped a few
tears from his eyes, he said From the
time heard of your fathers death, I
have raked, and scraped, and pincbed 10
get the money together for the payment
of this debt. About ten DAYS ago / had
made up the sum to within $50. NV
wife knew how much the payment Of
+ this debt lay on my spirits, and advised
me TO sell COW, and make up the diff
ference. and get the heavy burden off
my mind. | did SO; and now what will
my old woman say? / must get back
to the Cape and tell her this good news.
She'll probably repea: the very words
she used when she put her hands on my
) shoulders as we parted-'I have never
seen the righteous forsaken or his seed
, begging their bread Giving each of us
a hearty shake of the hand. and bless
ing upon our old fathers memory, he
{ went on his way rejoicing.
: There, said my brother, your part
; OF the amount would be so much. Con-
t trlve plan to convey to me your share
! Of pleasure derived from this operation.
and the money is at your service
5 Such is the simple tale which have
told as it was told to me. To add the
$ evident moral, would be an insult to the
reader.
The AMERICAN TEMPERANCE MAGAZINE
FOR NovEMBER.-This number contains two
fine engravings Of Philip S. White and Hon.
C.N. Olds. of Ohio, with biographical notices.
The articles for the month are furnished by
Geo. F. Cheever, Mrs. G. Abel, Rev. p. p.
Neely, Alice Carey. VIM. r. Stacy. E. C.
+ Delayan, Judge DiIlahunty, Christian Keen
er, DIR. Mott and DR.. Barnes.
What has become of the October No. Z II
has not been received by the subscribers in
. this State, SO far as we have learned.
Il Ed. AGE.