Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-02-02
HEART WEALTH.
A SKETCH FOR CREDITORS.

chant and ship owner, left large property
to his wife and children To his three sons
he left his ships ana his business, together
with all the books and papers of his office,
and having made this provision he went on
IN his viii to say Among my debtors are
many worthy men whom have not pressed,
and whom [ would not consisn to needless
S lffering. 1t is my desire that those who
deserve forgiveness may be forgiven, even
as pray that my Heavenly Father may
forgive me.
When the sons came to take possession of
the business, one of their first moves after
having provided for the management of
more weigh;y matters, was to consider this
injunction of their father 5 will.
Our father has left US enough said
John, the elder brother, 'and We will not
fail to honor his memory and his wishes. y
And lead others to hold that memory
green and sacred, added Andrew, the see
end brother. What says Peter?'
The younger thus addressed spoke as fol-
lows
I'VE will not forget our fathers oft re-
peated prayer, Forgive Us our debts rs we
forgive our debtors, for | think he died
with that prayer upon his lips-or in his
heart at least | would suggest that Mr..
Witherspoen be requested to make out
list of those debtors whom he may judge to
be worthy OF forgiveness. lie has been our
4 i q II .l.,l- md 4
eut for almost thirty years, and probably
knows the exact character and standing Of
every person indebted. Let him give us u
list with such marginal explanation as We
may deem necessary, and we can then do as
we deem proper in Individual cases. -
Peters plan was adopted. The old clerk
made out the list, and the amount of in
debtedness thus set down, without reckon
ing interest, was over twenty thousand dol
lars.
n large sum, said John, thoughtfully,
And thiuk OF the interest, suggested
Andrew
Not so large as was our fathers " add
ed Peter, and bearing SO much interest as
| trust his &C count bears, in heaven.
John and Andrew shook Peter by the
hand, while little Sammy, John sou, a lad
OF five years, asked how an account could
bear interest in heaven.
Peter must explain that, . said his faith
er.
And Peter took the boy upon his knee,
and told him what he meant-toid him a
bout doing good ,and how God loved to have
us do good to one another, and how we
could lay up treasures in heaven. And he
asked the boy if he understood; and Sam
my said he did.
Time passed on Que cool, bleak day in
the late autumn a woman entered the count
ing house. She was past the middle age,
humbly but beatty clad, with face pale aud
frank, and marked with care. John and
Peer were in the of5icas and Master Sammy
was in the corner, behind Andrew 5 empty
desk, building houses with old log books.
lis Mr. Vessie in2'' the visitor asked,
timidly, and with much tremulousness.
That is my name, madam, returned
John, handing her 4 chair, and this is my
brother
Your father held an account, against my
husband, and have come to settle it.
WHAT is your husband $ name?'
"He is dead, sir. BIS name was Law
renee Patten.'
DO you know what was the nature OF
the indebtedness?
1T was debt Of homer, sir; and my
husband could only be content when [ had
promised him, upon my bended kness, tina:
it should be paid. Your father was his
bonds.aan for large SUM. He was collect
or of taxes, and a partner whom he had
trusted run away with great deal OF mon
ey- so much that it crippled him and
would have ruined him, il your father had
not saved him. He was poor man, sir,
but God knows he was honest. .
The woman wiped her eyes, and little
Sammy came out from behind the desk.
When Lawrence knew that he must
die, she resumed, he placed in my hands
all of his accounts, and all property, and he
bade me rest not until | had gathered to-
gether enough to pay the Indebtedness He
said Mr.. Vessie had been like father to
hinl-had put forth his hand, saved him
when others had forsaken him--and he
would rather his children should beg than
that dishonor should attach to his memory.
''Did your husband owe much else? ?"
mo sir. He contracted no debts for his
living. This was all-but it was heavy
debt for him to bear.
''You say you have raised the money!"
Yes, sir. The original debt was three
thousand FIVE hundred dollars. The in
terest-he said be didn't think Mr. Yes
sic would take more than simple interest
brings it up to some over five thousand
Il will find the account, my good woman,
and see how it stands.
Thus saying, John opened drawer of
his desk and drew forth the list which Mr..
Witherspoon had prepared, and the very
first name was that of Lawrence Patten
and against it, in the old clerk S hand, was
the following: "An honest man, and poor;
HIS indebtedness entirely the result of the a6-
sconc}iaq business partner" Then John