The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-11
Paying an Old Debt.
A TRUE NARRATIVE, WITH A MORAL.

TRUE NARRATIVE, WITH MORAL.
A merchant, very extensively engaged In com
merce, in our Atlantic cities, died intestate, Feb
ruary 10, 49,, at the age of seventy-fve. At
ter his death, among his papers package Of
very considerable size was found, carefully tied
up and labelled as follows:
aNotes 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 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 month after he died, the sons met to.
gether, when the elder brother,tthe administrator
produced this package, read the subscription
and asked what course should be taken in regard
to it. Another brother, few years younger
than the eldest, man of strong impulsive tenn
permanent, unable ut 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 fir '-place, indicated his
wish to have the package put into the flames II
was suggested by another of the brothers that II
might be well first to make list of the debt
or's names, and of the dates and amounts, that
they might be enabled, as the intended discha -ge
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.
It 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 4; 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
he was the administrator, as our father died in
testate.
"Weil" said the stranger, "Pve come up
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, as he sat waiting bis turn,
slowly twirling his thumbs with his old, grey,
meditntive eyes cast down upon the floor, he
sighed, and knew the money, as the phrase runs,
came hard and secretlywished the old mans name
might be found on the forgiving list NV brother
was soon at leisure, and asked him his name,
residence. &c. The original debt was four hun
dred and forty dollars; it had stood long time,
and with the interest amounted to between seven
and eight hundred dollars Ny brother went to
his desk, and after examining the forgiven list
attentvely, sudden smile lighted up his coun-
tenace, and told me the truth at once. The
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 outawed," said he, I" il 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. al wish 10 pay H.
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 so with man.
should like to pay IT," And he laid his bank
notes before my brother, requesting him TO count
them over.
81 cannot tske this money" said my brother
The old man became alarmed. al have cast
simple interest for twelve years, and little
over" said he. 81 will paw you compound in
terest. If you require il. The debt ought to
have beer paid long ago but your father was
very indulgent--he knew that had been I'M
lucky, and told me not TO worry about it,"
My brother then act the whole matter before
him, and taking the bank bills, returned them to
the old mans pocket book, telling him that, al.
though our father left no formal will, he had re-
commended TO bis children 10 destroy certain
notes, due bills and other evidences of debt, and
release those who might be legally bound to pay
them.
For 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 10 get
the money together for the payment Of this
debt. About ten days ago, had made up the
sum 10 within twenty dollars. Ny wife knew
how much the payment Of this debt lay on my
spirits, and advised me TO sell COW, and make
up the difference, and get the heavy burden OF
my mind. did so and now what will my old
woman say! ! must get back 20 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 fathers
memory, he went on his way rejoicing.
"Tbere," said my brother, your part Of the
amount would be so much. Contrive plan TO
convey to me your share Of pleasure derived
from this operation, and the money is at your
service"
Such is the simple tale which ] have told ~
Il was told 10 me. To aid the evident moral
would be an insult 10 the reader.
ISTgIIIcEscE FROM THE SANDWICH ISLANDS