Page:Honest debtor, or, The virtuous man struggling with, rising superior to, and overcoming misfortune (1).pdf/2



O overcome adversity and brave death itself, is the effort of a noble resolution. But there is still a species of courage which I think less frequently to be met with in the world, but not less admirable. I shall give an instance of it.

‘In a journey to Holland, I was recommended to a rich merchant of the name of Odelman; a man as liberal in his house, as he was avaricious in his commerce. In his counting-house, and at his table, I found a young Frenchman of a prepossessing appearance and uncommon modesty of deportment. He was known in Holland by no other name than that of Oliver.

‘In vain Odelman, who was a man of plain, manners, treated him like a friend and almost as an equal; the young man, with a, certain respectful dignity, always kept at a proper distance: you would have said, as that of a son ever attentive to the will of his father who he was serving for love.