Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-04-06
On the Forgiven List.


On the Forgiven List.
One Of the old school merchants Of Bos-
ton, very extensively engaged in commerce,
and located on Long Wharf, in that city, died
in February, 1906 intestate, at the age Of
seventy-nine His eldest son administered
upon the estate. The old gentleman used
pleasantly to say, that for many years he had
fed a large number Of Catholics on the shores
Of the Mediterranean during Lent-reterring
to his very extensive connection with the
fishing business In his day he was certainly
remembered by some of the old ones down
along shore from the Gauet's Nose to Race
point
Among bis papers, package Of consider
able size was found after his DEATH carefully
tied up, and labeled as follows -" Notes,
due bills, and accounts against sundry per-
sons 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
ishermen's luck Ny children will do as
they think best Perhaps they will think,
with me, that it is best to burn this package
entire"
About a month ,said the narrator Of ths)
after ouc father died, the sons met together,
and, after some general remarks, cur eldest
brother, the administrator, produced this
package, read the subscription, and asked
what course should be taken in regard to it,
Another brother, few years younger than
the eldest, man Of strong, impulsiye TEN.
permanent, 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 towards the fireplace,
indicated his desire to have the papers put
into the flames II was suggested by another
of our number, that it might be well to make
a list of our debtors names, and Of the dates
and accounts that we might be enabled, as
the intended discharge was for all, to inform
such as might offer payment that their debts
were forgiven them On the following day
we again assembled, the list had been prepar-
ed aud all the notes, due bills and accounts,
whose amount, including interest exceeded
thirty-two thousand dollars, were committed
to the flames.
1t was about four months after our father
death, in the month Of June that, as | was
sitting in my eldest brothers counting room,
there came in a hard-hyored little old man.
waiting for an opportunity to speak to him,
who looked as if time and rough weather had
been the windward Of him for several years.
He asked if my brother was not the executor
lie replied that he was administrator, as our
father died intestate " We'll, said the stran-
ger, " have come up from the Cape to pay
debt | owed the old gentleman" My broth.
er requested him to be seated, being at the
same time engaged,
The old man sat down, and putting ON his
glasses, drew out a very ancient wallet. When
he had thus done-and there was quite par
eel Of notes-as he sat waiting his turn, slow
ly twisting his thumbs and his old gray medi-
tstiye eyes fixed upon the floor, he sighed
and well supposed the money, as the phrase
runs, came hard, and secretly wished the old
mans name might be found upon the forgiven
list. My brother was soon at leisure, and ask.
ed him the common question-his name, etc.
The original debt was four hundred and forty
dollars it mad stood long time, and with
the interest, amounted to eight hundred dol
lars My brother went TO his table aud after
| examining the forgiven list attentively, sud.
den smile lighted up his countenanoe, and told
me the truth at a glance-the old man name
was there My brother quietly took chail
at his side, and a conversation ensued between
/ them.
our note is outlawed it was dated twelve
years ago, payable in two years. there is nc
witness, and no interest has ever been paid
you are not bound to pay this noto-we can
not recover the amount"
Sir" said the old man, wish to pay it
1t is the Only heavy debt have in the world
| should like to pay it, and he laid the bani
notes before the administrator, and requested
him to count them over,
{" cannot take this money" was the re
lply.
The old man became confused. {" hay
cast simple interest for twelve years and
little over" he said 81 will pay you com
pound interest, if you say so, That deb
ought to have been paid long ago, but you
father, sir, was very indulgenti he knew tha
had been unfortunate, and told me not +
worry about it."
My brother then set the wholematter plain
ly before him. and, taking the bills, returne
them TO the old man, telling him. that althoug
our iuthef lelt no lOflnul Nilli no hdu IttoH
mended to his children to destroy certain notes
due bills, and other evidences Of debt, and re
lease those who GIT be legally bound to pa
them. For moment the worthy old ma
seemed to be stupefod After he had col
ected himself, aud wiped few tears from hi
eyes, he stated that from the time he ha
heard of our fathers death, he had raked an
scraped and pinched and spared, to get tn
money to pay the debt "About ten day
| ago, said he, had made up the sum Will
in twenty dollars. My wife knew how muc
| the payment Of this debt lay upon my spirit
and advised me 10 sell a COW, and make u
the difference, and get the heavy burden 0
my mind, did so, aud now what will m
., old woman say2 She'll probably say Owe
p the very words she said when she put he
I hands my shoulder as we parted - hay
never seen the righteous iorsaken, nor b
seed begging broad'" With hearty shaI
n of the hand, and blessing upon our father
4 memory, he went upon his way rejoicing
After n short silence geiznQ his pencii m