The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-06
A Son Insists on Paying One Made a
Quarter of Century Ago.
GIVES HALF HIS EARNINGS,
Employed at 4 Salary OF Ten Dollars
a. Week, He Contributes Half
His Wages or More 10
Settle Bill Con-
traCtcc: in His
Infancy,

That an honest man is the nohlcst work
Of God is admitted by ALL but few know
the extent TO which honesty and fair
dealing is carried, nor that there are some
who cannot rest content under even a
fancicd obligation. That such is the case,
however, is shown by an instance which
has just come to light.
Some twenty-five years ago a citizen of
Richmond. in the course of business, be-
came Indebted TO n well known firm here
TO the extent of nearly two hundred dol
lars. lie was a Woodworking, honest
man, and fully intended to discharge the
obligation.
lie met with misfortune, however, and,
despite his most earnest efforts, nc could
do no more than provide for the wants Of
his growing family.
Finally it became apparent TO the firm
that the debt would not be paid so, in OF
der TO balancc their books, it was charged
10 profit and loss. Tho incident was by
lneIn regarded rs closed.
TO PAY THE DEBT.
Years went by. and the son of the man
who was unable to meet his obligation
grey: 10 manhood Ills father had told
him os the debt which he owed the firm,
and his fruitless struggle to pay 1t. The
young man made UP his mind that it
should be discharged il he was ever III q
position To do Sc.
Some months ago ne obtained employ
mont with a Richmond concern at i
salary of $40 week, and, although it
would lec supposed that this sum was no
I1,orc than the needs OF 4 young man
would require. he resolved TO begin pay
ing off a debit which hurdened his MIND.
Walking into the business place OF the
firm in question he gave his name, and
said:
Il owe YOU bill, which would like
TO pay.
An examination was made of the books
and he was informed that, so FAR as they
knew, there was nothing charged against
him.
Il owe it to you just the same he per-
sisted. 1T is In my fathers name, and
has been standing for twenty-five years.
X LONG SEARCH
Then commenced u long search. Dusty
ledgers were exhumcd and examined bui
nowhere could any evidence OF the debt
be found
The young man still persisted that it
was owing, however. and finally it was
discovered charged 10 profit ana loss.
Now, wish to pay That, both principal
and interest" :" said the young man.
He was told that the addition Of inter
est would make the sum considerably
greater. bat he still insisted l9on it until
fatly told that the firm woud accept only
The original amount
Are you able TO pay it, he was
asked.
4 am not was The reply. Il am work
ing for $40 a week. and / propose to put
half of that week on Tho debt until is
wiped out
And he has kept his word. Ever since
that day. as regularly as the sun rises, he
has come into the Office and made pay
1nent.
BETTER THAN HIS WORD.
He has been even better than his word,
for at times, he has paid as much as So
in a single instament.
The ancient debt is melting away rap
idly Already half OF it is gone, and the
rest win be discharged in all human prob
ability.
ON the day that the young man made
his strange proposition up 20 the present
the firm has regarded him with a surprise
100 deep for words, but il is also true that
they hold him in the deepest esteem, and
if the day should ever come when he
needs assistance they would be the first
to extend it to him.