44 A New Way to Pay an Old Debt. [January, 



rou2;li weather had been to windward of him for seventy vears. He 

 asked if my brother was not the executor. He replied that he was 

 administrator, as our father died intestate. 'Well,' said the stranger, 

 ' I've come up from the Cape to pay a debt I owed the old gentleman.' 

 'My brother,' continued my informant, 'requested him to take a seat, 

 being at the moment engaged with other persons at the desk.' 



" The old man sat down, and, putting on his glasses, drew out a very 

 ancient leather pocket book, and began to count over his money. When 

 he had done — and there was quite a parcel of bank notes — as he sat, 

 waiting his turn, slowly twisting his thumbs, with his old gray, medita- 

 tive eyes upon the floor, he sighed ; and I knew the money, as the phrase 

 runs, came liard — and secretly wished the old man's name might be found 

 upon the forgiven list. ]\Iy 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 a long time, and, with the 

 interest, amounted to a sum between seven and eight hundred. My 

 brother went to his desk, and after examining the forgiven list atten- 

 tively, a smile lighted up his countenance, and told me the truth at a 

 glance — the old man's name was there ! My brother quietly took a chair 

 by his side, and a conversation ensued between them which I never shall 

 forget. ' Your note is outlawed,' said my brother ; ' it was dated twelve 

 years ago, payable in two years ; there is no witness, and no interest has 

 been paid; you are not bound to pay this note ; we can not recover the 

 amount.' ' Sir,' said the old man, ' I wish to pay it. It is the only 

 heavy debt I have in the world. It may be outlawed here, but I have no 

 child, and my old woman and I hope we have made our peace with God, 

 and wish to do so with man. I should like to pay it ;' — and he laid his 

 bank notes before my brother, requesting him to count them over. ' I 

 can not take this money,' said my brother. The old man became alarmed, 

 ' I have cast simple interest for twelve years and a little over,' said the 

 old man. ' I will pay you compound interest if you say so. The debt 

 ought to have been paid long ago, but your father, sir, was very indul- 

 gent — he knew I'd been unlucky, and told me not to worry about it.' 



" My brother then set the whole matter plainly before him ; and, 

 taking the bank bills, returned them to the old man's pocket-book, telling 

 him that, although our father left no formal will, he had recommended 

 to his children to destroy certain notes, due-bills, and other evidences 

 of debt, and release those who might be legally bound to pay them. 

 For a moment the worthy old man appeared to be stupified. After he 

 had collected himself, and wiped a few tears from his eyes, he stated 

 that, from the time he had heard of our father's death, he had raked and 



