The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-11

that the men should have a trial, and thew are
consequently still here for that purpose Com
mOd0re Parker was absent on the coast at the
time.
Paying an Old Debt.
TRUE NARRATIVE, WITH A. MORAL.
A merchant, very extensively engaged 10 con-
merce, in our Atlantic Cities died intestate Feb
ruary Is, -, at the age Of seventy.fve. AZ
ter his death, among his papers package Of
very considerable size was found, carefully tied
up and labelled as follows
Notes, due bills, and accounts, against sun
dry persons down along shore. Some Of these
may be got by suit or severe dunning. But the
people are poor; most of them have fsherman'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" H n'tm
About q month after he died, the sons met to-
gether, when the elder brother, the administrator,
produced this package, read the subscription,
and asked what course should be taken in regard
to it, Another brother, a few years younger
than the eldest, man of strong impnlsive 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 package put into the flames. Il
was suggested by another of the brothers that il
might be well first to make list Of the debt
ors 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 pay
ment that their debts were forgiven. On the fol-,
lowing 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 thirty thousand dollars, were COM.
mitted 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 him there came in 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 my brother was
not the executor. My BROTHER answered that
ne was the administrator, as our father died in
testate. A.@ ''t',.in
aWell" said the stranger, ave come MP
from the Cape to pay debt owed the old gen.
tleman.
My brother requested him to take seat,
being at that moment engaged with other per-
sons 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, rs he sat waiting his turn,
slowly twirling his thumbs with his old, grey,
meditatve eyes cast down upon the floor he
sighed, and ! knew the money, as the phrase runs,
came hare, and secretlywished the old mans name
might be found on the forgiving list My brother
was soon at leisure, and asked him bis name,
residence, &c. The original debt was four hun
dred and forty dollars; il had stood long time,
and with the interest amounted to between seven
and eight hundred dollars. My brother went to
his desk, and after examining the forgiven list
attentively, sudden smile lighted up his coun-
I'D Nnl1
old mans name was there. My brother quietly
took seat by his side. and conversation oc-
CURED between them which shall never forget
"Your note is outlawed," said he, al Is dated
twelve years ago, payable in two years there's
no witness, and no interest has ever been paid !;
you are not bound to pay this note; we can
never recover the amount"
"Sir," said the old man, J wish to pay 10.
IL 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 our
peace with God. and wish to do 80 with man.
! should like TO pay IT," And he laid his bank
notes before my brother, requesting him TO count
them over.
al cannot take this money! said my brother.
The old man became alarmed | have cast
simple interest for twelve years, and little
over, said be. Il will pay you compound in
" ~.
have beer paid long ago; but your father was
very indnlgent-he knew that had been un-
lucky, and told me not 10 worry about it."
Ny brother then set the whole matter before
him, and taking the bank bills, retp~9ed them to
the old mans pocket book, telling W that, a:
though our father left no formal had re-
commended TO his children TO q certain
nc ties, due bills, and other evidencercf debt and
release those who might be legally bound to pay
them.
For a moment the worthy old man appeared
10 be stupifed. After he had collected himself
and wiped few tears from his eyes, he said -
" From the time heard Of your fathers death,
have raked, and scraped, and pinched 70 get
the money together for the payment Of this
debt About ten days ago, had made mp the
sum to within twenty dollars; Ny wife knew
how much The payment Of this debt lay on my
spirits, and advised me 10 sell a COW, and make
up the difference, and get the heavy burden of
my mind did 90 and now what win my old
woman sayi must get back 10 the Cape and
tell her this good news. She'll probably repeat
the very words she used when she put her hands
on my shoulders as we parted have never
seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging
their bread" Giving each OF us hearty shake
Of the hand, and blessing upon our old fsthers
memory, he went on his way rejoicing.
There" said my brother, your Pan OF tne
amount would be so much. Contrve plan TO
convey 10 me your share OF pleasure derived
from this operation, and the money Is at your
service"
Such is the simple tale which | have told ss
il was told to me. To aid the evident moral
would be ar insult II the reader.
CuBsN PATHIors. The family OF the Pa
trot AcuERo, arrived at Montego Bay on the
goth inst, from Cuba. They number 10 ipdi
vidusl.. A Nortbside paper observes that Aeu-