Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1884-01-17
The R5rgicen Debt.

them was one whom / recollect often to
to have heard spoken of in terms of the
highest praise for his grea. kiaiae's and
geaerosity A h WIS for mlay years
largely engaged in the fishing business, his
name was flmiiilr to all the hardy fisher
men of Cape Col. This no5le merchant
di d in good old age, as he left NJ VIII, h.'
eldest soa wa appoint d - settle the estate,
and divide the property among the heirs
After the death of the old merchant,
package of very con4ilerable size was
found among his papers carefully tied up,
and labeled as follows: Notes, duc-bills,
and accounts against sundry persons down
along shore. Some of these may be got by
suit, or severe dulning Bat thc poop c
are poor; most OF them have had 'ishermen'S
luck Ny children will d. as they think
b,st. Perhaps they will think, with me,
that it Is best to bum this packet entire
"About a month"; said M informant,
"ater our father died, the sons met to-
gethcr, and after sonie gcaeral remarks,
or eldest brother, the administrator, pro-
duccd this package, Of whose existence we
were already informed, read the superserip-
ton. and asked what course should be
taken in regard to it.
"Anothcr brother, few years younger
than the eldest, man OF strong impu!sive
temperament, unable at the moment to eX-
press his feelings by words, while he brush
ei the tears from his eyes with one hand,
BY a sudden movement Of the other toward
the fireplace. indicated his desire to have
the paper pu. into the flames.
It was sugg asted by another ofour num-
Der. that ii might be well first 70 make d list
of the debtors names, and Of the dates aud
accounts that we might be enabled, as the
intended discharge was for all, to inform
such as might offer paymentthat their debts
were forgiven. On the following day We
again assembled; the list had been pre-
pared. and all the notes, duc-bills, and ac-
counts. whose amount including interest,
exceeded thiriy-two thousand dollars, were
committed to the flames.
at was about four months after our faith
ers death, in the month Of June that, as ]
was sitting in my eldest brother's counting
r,om, waiting fog an opportunity to speak
to him. there came in harI-fayorcd, little
Old man, who looked as if time and rough
weather had been to the wiadwsrd Of him
for seventy years.
:" He asked if my brother was not the
executor. He replied that he was admins
traitor. as our father died intestate. Well,
said the stranger, have come up from the
Cape to pay debt owed the old gentle
man Ny 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 leather
wallet. and began TO count his money
When he had done-and there was quite a
parcel of notes-as he sat, waiting his turn,
slowly twisting his thumbs, with his old,
gray, mcditatiyc eyes upon the floor, he
siyhcd and | knew the money, as tie
phrase runs, came hqrd; and | secretly
wished the Old mans name might be found
upon the forgiven list. Ny brother was
soon at leisure. and asked him The common
questions. his name, etc. The original debt
was four hundred and forty dollars: it had
stood long time, and, with the interest,
amounted TO seven or eight hundred dollars.
Nv brother went to his desk, and after cx-
aiming the forgiven list attcntiyely, sud
den smile lighted up Liz counteaancc, aud
told me the truth at glaucc-thc old man
name was there.
"My brother quietly took a chair by li-
side. and Il conversation cnsucd between
them. which shall never forget. Your
npta is outawal,' said my brother; it vas
dated twelve years ago, payable in two years
there is no witness. and no interest has even
b,cn paid you are not bound 70 pay this
note: We cannot recover the amount.
Sir. said the old man, wish to pay
it. 1t is the only heavy debt have in The
world. Il nay be ouilawed here: but
have no chill, and my oil woman and
hope to have made orr peace with God, anc
wish to do 50 with man. | should like L
pay it and he laid the blnk-notes before
nay brother, aal requested him 70 count
them over.
81 cannot take ,his money,' said ny
brother
"The old man beclma alarmed. i ha''
cast simple interest for twelve years and
little over said he. Twill pay you com
pound interest if you say 80. That deb
ought to have been paid long ago ba
your father, .ir, was very indulgent b
knew had been unfortunate, aud toll n
not to worry about it.
NY brother then set the whole Ea.te
plainly before him, and, taking the bills
returned them to the cid man, telling hin
that. although our father left no forma
will. he had recommended 70 bis childrei
to destroy certain notes, dHe-bills, and othe
evidences Of debt sRd release those VIII
might be legally bound to pay them.
For n moment the worthy oil ma
seemed to be stupiEed. Aftcr he hal cel
Iected himself, and wiped away few tear