The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1854-04-13

VI INC SuaHSS III lHe iaSt lhat nc io'Su
the brethren
Harvey Green was shrewd man Of
business ; honest in all his dealings, yet
ever exacting his own. He took no ad-
vantage Of others, and was very careful
not to let others take advantage of him
While acting on the precept, owe no
man anything" he never lost Il debtor
nor rested while the obligation remained
in force. A very natural result was that
Harvey Green prospered in the things
of this world not that he became very
rich, but so well off as to leave no rea-
sonable want unsupplied.
1t so happened few years ago, that
a man named Wilkins, after an unsuc-
cessful struggle with fortune, continued
through six or seven years, failed in
business. Few men had toiled harder,
or suffered more and when at last he
yielded to the pressure of iron circum-
stances, he sunk down for a season pros
tratc in mind and body. Everything
that he had was given up to the credit
ors-the property paid but small per-
centage on their claims-and then he
went forth into the world, all his bust
ness relations broken up, and, under the
heavy disadvantage of his situation,
bravely sought to gain for his large
dependant family things needful to their
sustenance and growth in mind and
body.
Among his creditors was Green. Now
Wilkins belonged to the same church
that numbered Green among its mem
bers. When the latter heard of the
failure he was good deal disturbed,
although the sum owed to him was not
over three or four hundred dollars. On
reflection he grew more composed
/" Wilkins is an honost A." said he
to himself. He'll pay me sooner or
later" ~. . '... .r
1t did not take long to sell off, at a
sad sacrifice, the stock of goods remain
ing in the hands of the debtor, for he
threw no impcdim ent in the way of those
who sought to obtain their due.
"Ah, my friend, said the latter, on
meeting with Green, a few days after the
closing up Of his insolvent estate, "this
is a sad business But, if God gives
me strength, will pay off every dollar
of this debt before | die. An honest
man can never sleep soundly while he
owes his neighbor farthing."
"The right spirit, brother Wilkins"
answered Green; "thc right spirit
hold fast to that declaration, and all
will come out right in the end. Though
| can't very well lie out of my money,
yet will wait patiently until you are
able to pay me. Ialways said you were
an honest man ; and am sure you will
make good my words"
"God helping me, I WILL" said the
debtor; his voice trembled, and his eyes
grew moist. o, how dark all looked in
the future What cloud was on his
path ! What weight of grief, morti-
fcation and dependency on his heart !!
The two men parted, and each took
his homeward way-tne debtor and the
creditor. The one with countenance
erect ,self-complacent feelings and elastic
step; the other sad and depressed.
That night Mr.. Green prayed, 3" Tor
give us our debts as we forgive our
Debtors" Yet scarcely had the words
died on his lips ere he was musing on
the chances in favor of his ever receiv-
ing from the penniless Wilkins the few
hundred dollars owed him by the un-
happy individual. There was no sym
pathy for him in his heart; no thought
of his terrible prostration of spirit; no
thing of pity and forgiveness. A selfish
regard for his own interest completely
absorbed all humane considerations.
Time passed on. Mr.. Wilkins was
no drone. An earnest, active man, he
soon found cmployment-not very re-
munerative at first. but still sufficiently
so to enable him to secure many COM
forts for his family, and to provide for
their education.
One, two, three years glided by. With
the growth Of his children, his expenses
increased, and kept SO close tread upon
his income that be had aot sssR able to