The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-10-14
Paying an Old Debt.

Paying an Old Debt. &
A merchant very extensively engaged
in commerce, and located upon the Long
Wharf, Boston, died intestate, February
18th, 1902, at the age Of seventy-6ve.
After his death, q package Of very con-
siderable size was found carefully tied up
and labeled as follows: 17i5 'rIa'
/ "Notes, due bills and accounts against
sundry 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 6shermen's luck. My
|children will do as they think best Per-
haps they will think, with me, that il is
best to burn this package entire"
4 About month after he died, the sons
met together, when the elder brother. the
administrator, produced the packet, and
read the superscription, and asked what
course should be taken in regard to it.
Another brother, q few years younger than
the eldest. man of strong impulsive tenn
permanent, unable, at that moment, to ex-
press his feelings by words, while he brush
ed 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 another brother, that it might
be we'll first to make list of the debtors
names, and of the dates and amounts, that
they be enabled, IS the intended discharges
was for all, to inform such as might offer
payment, that their debts were forgiven.
On the following day they again assembled
and the list had been prepared. and all
tho notes, due-bills and accounts, which,
including It amountel to thirty
Thousand dollars, were committed to the
flames. @
1 It was about four mopths after our
fathers's death, continued my informant,
lin the month Of June, that ives sitting
in my eldest brothers. Office waiting for
an opportunity to speak with him, when
there came in 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 broth
er was not the executor. My brother re.
J piled that he was administrator, as ou1
father died intestate.
! .Well,n said the stranger II have come
up from The Cape, to pay q debt owed
the old gentleman. 81
My brother requested him to take &
seat, he being at the desk. The old mar
sat down, and putting on his glasses, drew
out very ancient pocket book and be
e gan to count over his money.
When he had finished, as he sat waiting
e his turn, slowly twirling his thumbs, will
$ his old gray, m.ditative eyes upon th'
: floor he sighed, and knew the money
b as the phrase runs, come hard, and secret
i ly wished that the old mans name nigh
Q be found on the 6rgivingli list. My brothe
n was soon at leisure, and asked him tn
e usual questions, his name, resid nee, &c
It The original debt was four hundred ant
= forty dollars. 1t had stood long TINT
K and with the interest had amounted to be
tween seven and eight hundred dollars
nd Ny brother went to his desk, and after ea
le amining the forgiven list attentively,
y sudden smile lit upon his conntenance
le and told me the truth at single glance
= The old mans name was there. My brotf
he er quietly took chair by his side, and cor
: versation occurred between them which
=, never shall forget. ID iea
at "Your note outlawed. said he; ut vs.
nr dated twelve years ago, payable in tw
10 years; there is no witness, and interest hs
as never been paid; you are not bound
lpay this note; we can never recover tn
lg amount" @
ID 'Sir," said the old man, "I wish to pa
I'd it. 1t is the only debt have in II
world. 1t may be outlawed here. but
I'd have no child, and my old woman and
I'd hope we have made our peace with Go
OF and wish to do so with man. shoul
~ like to pay it." And he laid the bar
at notes before my brother, requesting hi
1g to count them over.
re "I canno. take the money! said a
brother. The old man became alarme'
II have cast simple interest for twel,
10 years, and counted it all over" said b
d. II will pay you compound interest," if "
require it. The debt ought to have bet
49, paid long ago; but your father was vel
-, indulgent-he knew I'd been unluck'
:. and be told me not to worry about it."
- Ny brother then properly set the me
~ =, ter before him, and taking the bank bill
:. he returned them to the old mans poe
A. et-book, telling him that although o
- father left no formal win, be had Fecul
,as mended to his children to destroy certa
s. notes. due bills, and other evidences
debt, and release those who might be ]
. gally bound to pay them. g sisiH gl8ss
For q moment the worthy old man .
- peared to be stupeded. After he had cs
lected himself, and wiping the tearsfre
Ike his eyes, he said: "From the time / hea
Of your fathers death, I have raked 81
EN- scraped. pinched and spared, to get t
a 4 r. - r 4