Mountain Democrat., 1857-07-18
Paying an Old Debt.

A merchant very extensively engaged
in commerce, and located on Long Wharf,
Boston, died intestatc, February 18th,
1903, ut the age of 70. After his death q
package of very considerable size was
found, carefully tied up and labeled as
follows:
"NOtcs, due-bills and accounts against
sundry persons down along shore. Some
of them may be got by suit and severe
dunning, but the people arc pOOr,-most
of them have had fisher,ncn's luck. My
children will do as they think best. Per-
haps they will think with me that it is
best TO burn this package entire"
About a month after, the sons came
together, when the eldest brother, the ad-
minstrator, produced the packet, read
the supcrscription, and asked whatCoursc
should be taken in regard to it. Another
brother few years younger than the
eldest, man Of strong impulsive temper
amcnt, unable at the moment to express
his feelings by words, wlTiic he brushed
| the tears from his eyes with one hand, by
spasmOdic jerk of the other toward the
fire place, indicated his wish to have the
packet put in the flames. 1t was suggest
ell by another brother that it might be
well first to make list OF the names, that
they might be enabled, as the intended
| discharge 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 the notes, due bills
and accounts, which, including interest,
amounted to- thirty thousand dollars, were
committed to the flames. ---
1t was about four months after our
fathers death continued our informant,
in the month Of June, that l was sitting
in my eldest brothers Office waiting for
an opportunity to speak with him, when
there came in hard featured little old
man, who looked as if time and rough
weather had been to the windward of him
for seventy years. lie asked if my bro
ther was not the executor. My brother
replied that he was administrator, US our
father died intcstate.
'Well," said the stranger, II have
come from the Cape to pay debt owed
to the old gentleman"
My brother requested him to tako a
seat, he being at the desk. The old man
sat down, and putting ON his glasses,
drew out very ancient looking pocket
book and began to count over his money.
When he had finished rs he sat wait
ing his turn, slowly twirlings his thumbs
with his old grey 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 asked him the usual dues-
tions, his name, residence, &c. The orr
glnal debt was four hundred and forty
dollars. 1t had stood long time, and
with the interest it amounted to between
seven and eight hundred dollars. NY
brother went to his desk, and after exam
cning the forgiven list particularly, sud-
den smile lit upon his countcnance, and
told me the truth at glance. The old
mans name was there? My brother
took chair by his side, and converse
tion ensued that never shall forget
"Your note is outlawcd," said he, ut
was dated twelve years ago, payable in
two years; there is no witness, and inter-
est has never been paid; you arc not
bound to pay this note; we can never
recover this amount"
'Sir," said the old man, II wish to pay
it. 1t is the only debt | have in tho
world. 1t may be outlawed here, but I
have no child, and my old woman and
hope we may have our peace with God,
and wish to do SO with man. should
like to pay it." And he laid the bank
notes before my brother, requesting him
to count them over.
81 cannot take the money!" was tho
reply of my brother.
81 have cast simple interest for twelve
years, and counted it all over" said he.
u will pay you compound interest, If
you require it. The debt ought to have
been paid long ago; but your father was
very indulgent-he knew had been un-
lucky and told me not to worry about il"
My brother then properly set the mat
ter before him, and taking the bank bills
he returned them to the old mans pocket
book, telling him that, although our ia
ther left no formal will, he recommended
to his children to destroy certain notes,
due.bills, and other evidences of debt.
and release those who might be legally
bound to pay them.
For moment the old man appeared
to be stupifed. After he had collected
himself, and wiping the tears from his
eyes, he said:
"FrOm the time I heard of your faith
er's death, have raked and scraped,
pinchcd and spared to get the money to-
gether for the payment of the debt
About ten days ago made up the sum
within twenty-five dollars. My wife
knew how much the payment of this
debt lay upon my spirits, and advised to
sell cow and make up the difference,
and get the heavy burtheu off my mind.
! did so; and now what will my old wo-
man say2 must 60 to the Cape and
tell her this good news. She'll probably
repeat the very words she used when she
put her hand on my shoulder as we part
cd: have never seen the righteous for
saken nor his seed begging bread"
Giving US a shake Of the hand, and
a blessing on our old fathers memory,
he went on his way rejoicing.
After short silence, taking his pencil
and making cast
"There," said my brother, ''your part
of the amount would be so much. Con-
trive q plan to convey me your share of
the pleasure derived from this operation,
and the money is at your service"
Such is the simple tale which have
told al it was told me. To add to the ev-
idcnt moral, would be an insult to the
reader.
| 4 Definition. rich officer of reve-