Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-03-21
MISCELLANY.
PAYING AN OLD DEBT.

A merchant very extensively engaged in
commerce, and located upon Long Wharf, Bos-
ton, died inlestate, Feb. 18th, 1909, at the age
Of seventy-fve. After his death, package Of
very considerable size was found carefully tied
mp and labeled as follows:
4'Notes, due-blls and accounts against sun
dry persons down along shore. Some Of them
may be got by suit and severe dunning. But
the people are poor most Of them have had
Sfshermeu's luck. My children will do as they
think best. Perhaps they will think, with me,
that il is best to burn this package entire"
About month after he died, the sons met
together, when the elder brother, the admins
traitor, produced the packet, and read the super
scripton, and asked what course should be ia
ken in regard to il. Another brother, few
years younger than the eldest, man of strong
impulsive temperament, unable, at that moment,
20 express his feelings by words, while he
brushed the tears from his eyes with one hand,
by spasmodic jerk Of the other toward the
Fireplace, indicated his wish to have the packet
put into the flames. It was suggested by an
other brother, that it might be well first to
make list Of the debtors names, and Of the
dates and amounts, that they be enabled, as the
intended discharge was for all, 10 inform such
as might offer payment, that their debts were
forgiven. On the following day they again as
sembled, and the list had been prepared, and
all the notes, due-bills and accounts, which, in
GLIDING interest, amounted TO thirty thousand
dollars, were committed TO the flames.
Qt was about four nnontbs -sItos anr father s
I'D, =. a r
June, that ] was sitting in my eldest brothers.
Office waiting for an opportunity 10 speak with
him, when there came in a hard favored little
old man, who looked as if time and rough
weather had been to the windward of him for
seventy years. He asked if my brother was
not the executor. My brother replied that he
was administrator, as our father died intestate.
swell, I" said the stranger, 81 have come up
from the Cape, to pay debt / owe the old
gentleman
My brother requested him to take seat, ne
being at the desk. The old man sat down,
and putting on his glasses, drew ont very an
Client looking pocket-book and began to count
over his money.
When he had finished, as he sat waiting his
turn, slowly twirling his thumbs, with his old
gray, meditative eyes upon the floor, he sighed
and knew the money, as the phrase runs,
came hard, and secretly wished that the old
mans name might be found on the forgiven list.
My brother was soon at leisure, and asked him
the usual questions, his name, residence, &c.
The original debt was four hundred and forty
dollars. 1t 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 at
ien;ivcly, sudden smile lit upon his oounte-
nance, and told me the truth al single glance.
The old mans name was there My brother
quietly took chair by his side, and conversa-
zion ensued between them which never shall
forget.
"Yonr note is Outawed, /" said he sit was
dated twelve years ago, payable in TWO years
there is no witness, and interest has never been
paid you are not bound to pay this mute we
can never recover shis amount"
"Sir," said the old man, 81 wish to nav il.
1t is the only debt have in the world. 1t may
be outlawed here, but have no child, and nv
old woman and hope we have made oar peace
with God, and wish to do so with man.
should like TO pay IT," AID he laid the bank
notes before my brother, requesting him to coun
them over.
81 cannot take the money !" said nv brother
The old man became alarmed. 81 have cas-
simple interest for twelve years. and counted i
all over" said he. 81 wall pay you compoun,
interest, if you require it, The debt ought I,
have been paid long ago but your father wal
very induleent-he knew I'd been unIueky, an,
told me not to worry about it,"
= My brother then properly set the matter be
fore him, and taking the bank bills he returne,
them 10 the old mans poeket-bOok, telling hiu
that although our father left no formal will, h
had recommended to his children to deslro
certain notes, doe-bills, and other evidences Z
debt, and release those who might be legal
bound TO pay them.
For moment the old man appeared TO
stupe6ed. Alter he had collected himself, an
wiping the tears from his eyes, he said Error
the time | heard of your fathers death, hav
raked and scraped. pinched and spared, TO GO
the money together for the payment of The debt
About ten days ago, / made up the sum With
twenty-five dollars. My wife knew how muc
the payment Of this debt lay on my spirits, an
advised me to sell a COW and make up The dill
ference, and get the heavy burden off my mind
did so; and now what will my old woma
say! ] must go back TO the Cape and tell he
this good news. She'll probably repeat III
very words she used when she put her hand o
my shoulder as we parted-'I have never see
the righteous iorsaken, nor his seed bsegiu
bread"
Giving each Of US shake Of The hand, an