Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1866-01-11
On the Forgiven List,


One Of the old school Merchants Of Dos
ton, very extensively engaged in commerce,
ana located on Long Wharf in that city,
diedin February, 1860 intestatc, at the ago
OF seeventy-hye. His eldest son admins.
tered upon the estate. This old gentleman
used pleasantly to say, that for many years
nc had led number of Catholics on the
Lbores OF the Mediterranean during Lent
referring to his very extensive connection
with the fishing business. In his DAYS bo
was certainly well known, and to the pres
ent time it will be remembered by some
the oldest ones along the shore, from tho
Garnctts Nosc to the Race Point.
Among his papers, a considerable pack.
age was found after his death, carefully tied
up, and labelled as follows: Notes, duo
bills, and accounts against sundry persons
down along shore. Some Of them may be
! got by suit of severe dunnng. But tho
people are poor; most Of them have had
fisherman luck. My children will do as
they think best. Pehaps they will think
with me, that 1T is best to burn this package
entire.
About month (said the narrator Of this)
after our father died, the sons met together,
and after some general remarks, the eldest
brother, the administrator, produced this
BuShhBN' iNdb uHu dSkeu
what course should be taken in regard to it,
Another brother fw years younger than
the eldest, man Of strong, impulsive tenn
perament, unable at the moment to express
his feelings by words, while he brushed the
tears from his eyes with one hand by spas
modic jerk Of the other toward the fireplace,
indicated his desire TO have the paper put
into the flames. 1t was suggested by an
other of our number, that it might be well
to make a list Of debtor names, and of tho
dates and accounts, that we might be ena-
blcd as the intended discharge was for all,
to inform such as might offer payment, that
their debts were forgiven. On the follow
ing day we again assembled, the list had
been prepared, and all the notes. due bills,
and accounts, whose amount, including in
terest, exceeded thirty-two thousand dol
lars, were committed to the flames.
1t was about four months after our fathers
death, in the month Of June, that | was
sitting in my brother counting room, wait
ing for an opportunity to speak to him,
there came in hard favored little old man,
who looked as if time and rough weather
had been to the win1ward Of him for seven
ty years He asked if my brother was not
the executor. He replied that he was ad-
minstrator, as our father died intestate.
well, said the stranger, II have come
up from the Cape to pay debt / owed the
old gentleman. My brother requested him
to be seated, being at the moment engaged.
The old man sat down, and putting on
his glasses, drew out very ancient wallet
When he had thus done-and there was
quite parcel Of notes-as he sat waiting
his turn, slowly twisting his thumbs, and
his old grey meditative eyes fixed upon the
floor, he sighed, and well supposed the
ho ,br L.
secretly wished the old man might be found
on the forgiven list My brother was soon
at leasure, and asked him the common
question-his name, etc. The original debt
was four hundred and forty dollars; it had
stood long time, and, with the interest,
amounted TO eight hundred dollars Nv
brother went to his table, and after examin-
ing the forgiven list attentively, a sudden
smile lighted up his countenance and told
me the truth at a glance-the old mans
name was there!
My brother quietly took a chair at his
side, and conversation ensued between
them.
Your note is outlawed it was dated
twelve years ago, payable in two years;
there is no witness, and no interest has ever
been paid and you are not bound to pay
this note-we cannot recover the amount
sdid tlC OIu Nlsu " pay
it. 1t is the only heavy debt have, in the
world | should like to pay it." and he
laid the bank notes before the administra-
tor, and requested him to count them over
Il cannot take this money" was the re-
ply
The old man became confused II have
,ast simple interest for twelve years and
little over" said he, Il will pay you com
pound interest, if you say so. That debt
,ught to have been paid long ago, but your
ather, sir, was very indulgent; he knew
lad been very unfortunate and told me not
% worry about it.
My brother then set the whole matter
,lainly before him, and taking the bills re-
urned them to the old man, telling him,
hat although our father left no formal will,
ne had recommended to his children to de-
'troy certain notes, due bills, and other ev-
dences of debt, and release those who
might be legally bound to pay them. Fora
moment the worthy old man seemed stupe-
fed. After he had collected himself, wiped
/ few tears from his eyes, he stated, that
rom the time he had heard Of our fathers
leath he had raked and scraped, and pinch
d and spared, to get mony to pay the debt.
About ten days ago said he, Il had made
Ip the sum within twenty dollars. My
rife knew how much the payment Of this
Iebt lay upon my spirits, and advised me
o sell COW, and make up the difference,
nd get the heavy burden off my mind. 1
i'd so, and now what will the old woman
ay? must 60 back to Cape and tell her
his good news. She'll probable say over
he very words she said when she put her
lands on my shoulder when we parted: Il
lave never seen the righteous forsaken, nor
iis seed begging for bread' With a hear
y shake of the hand, and a blessing upon
,ur fathers memory, be went up his way
ejoicing.
After short silence, seizing his pencil
nd casting few figures, 'There!" ex-
laimed my brother, your share would be
o much; contrive TO convey to me your
hare of the pleasure derived from the op-
ration, and the money is at your service"
= Commercial anecdotes.