The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-02-11
On the Forgiven List.

| VI tilC iAoC Vi SCNChtl -hiuo' AAo SAuS's
son administered upon the estate. This
old gentleman used pleasantly 10 say, that
for many years ho had fed largo num-
Der of Catholics on the shores Of the Med
iterranean during Lent-referring to his
very extensive connection with the fishing
business. In hisday he was certainly we'll
known; and to the present time Is we'll
remembered by some Of the "old ones
down along Shore" from the Garncts
Nose to Race Point.
Among his papers, package of consid-
erable size was found after his death, care.
fully tied up. and labelled rs follows:-
"Notes, due bills, and accounts against
sundry persons down along shore. Some
Of these may be got by a suit or severe
dunning. But the people are poor; most
of them have had fshcrman's luck. My
children will do rs they think best. Per-
haps they will think. with me, that 1t is
best to burn this package entire"
About n month (said tho narrator Of
this) after our father died. the sons met
together and AFTER some general remarks,
our eldest brother, the administrators, pro-
ducod this package. read the supcrscrip-
ton, and asked what course should be TAX
en- In regard to 1t. Another brother. n
few years younger than tho eldest man
Of strong, impulsive temperament, unable
ut the moment to express his feelings by
words, while he brushed tho tears from
his eyes with one hand, by q spasmodic
jerk of the other towards tho fireplace,
indicated his desire to have the paper put
into the flames. 1t was suggested by an
other of our number, that II might be well
to make list of our debtors names, and
of tho dates and accounts, that we might
be enabled. rs the intended discharge was
for all, to inform such n, might offer pay
ment, that their debts were forgiven. On
the following day we again assembled.
tho list had been prepared, and all tho
Il nOUeS, uuc DihS. Sut UccouutS, WhoSo
amount, including interest exceeded thir-
ty.two thousand dollars, were committed
TO the the flames.
It was about four months after our fa-
thcr's death, In tho month of June, that,
rs was sitting in my eldest brothers
counting room, waiting for nn opportuni-
ty To speak to him, there came in hard
favored, little old man, who looked rs II
time and rough weather had been to tho
windward Of him for seventy years. He
asked If my brother was not the cxccu-
tor. He replied that he was ndministra-
tor, rs our father died intestatc. al have
come up from the Cape to pay debt /
owed the old gentleman. My brother re-
qucstcd him to be seated, being at tho
same moment engaged.
i The old man sat down, and putting on
his glasses, drew out very ancient wal
let. When he had thus done-and there
was quite parcel of notes-as hc sat
waiting his turn, slowly twisting his
thumbs, and his old gray mcditativc eyes
fixed upon the floor, lie sighed; and I
well supposed the money, rs the phase
runs, came hard, and secretly wished the
old mans name might bo found upon tho
forgiven list. My brother was soon at
leisure, and asked the common question
his name, Get. Tho original debt was
four hundred and forty dollars; II had
stood long time, and with tho interest,
amounted to eight hundred dollars. My
brother went to his table, and aftcr cxnm-
ining the list attcntively, sudden smile
lighted up his countenance. and told mo
the truth ut glanco-thc old mans namc
was there! My brother quietly took u
chair Mt his side, and conversation onsued
between them.
"Your note is outlawcd; 1t was dated
twelve years ago, payable in two years;
there Is no witness, and no interest has
ever been paid: you are not bound to pay
this note-we cannot recover tho amount" I"
"Sir." said the old man, II wish to pay
|it. It's the only heavy debt have in
tho world. should like to pay it." and
hc laid tho bank notes before the admin
istrator, and requested him to count them
over.
IL cannot take this money" was tho re-
Iply.
Tho old man became confused. II
have cast simple interest for twelve years
and u little over" said he; II will pay
you compound interest II you say so.
That debt ought to have been paid long
ago. but your father, sir. was very indul.
gent: hc knew that l had been unfortu-
nate, and told me not to worry about It,"
Ny brother then set tho whole matter
plainly before him. and. taking the bills,
returned thom to the old man, telling him.
that although our father left no formal
will, no had recommended 10 his children
to destroy certain notes. duo bills, and
other evidences of debt, and release those
who might bc legally bound to pay them.
|, Fora moment the worthy old man seemed
to be stnpcfcd. After he had collected
himself, and wiped a few tears from his
eyes, he stated that from tho time he had
heard of our fathers death. hc had raked
and scrnpcd, and pinchcd and spared, to
get the money TO pay this debt. about
ten days ago." said ho II had made mp the
. sum within twenty dollars. My wife
: knew how much the payment Of this deb,
, lay upon my spirits, and advised me to
: sell COW, and make up the difference,