Page:Honest debtor, or, The virtuous man struggling with, rising superior to, and overcoming misfortune (1).pdf/21

 I wrote; he anſwered, that ſituated as he was, he was condemned to celibacy and ſolitude ; that he would involve neither a wife nor children in his misfortune; nor would he ſet foot in his own country, until there ſhould be no one there before whom he ſhould be aſhamed to appear. This anſwer proved a farther incitement to the impatience of the notary. “aſk him," ſaid he, "to give in a ſpecific account of his debts; and inform him, that a perſon who intereſts himſelf in his welfare will undertake the care of adjuſting every thing."

'Salvary consented to intruſt me with the ſtate of his debts, but as to the accommodation of them, he replied, he would hear of no ſuch thing ; that any reduction of his creditors claims would be unjuſt; that it was his intention to diſcharge them fully, and to the laſt livre; and all that he required at their hands was time. "Time, time,” ſays the notary, "I have none to ſpare him. My daughter will grow old before he pays his debts. Leave this liſt of them with me. I know how to act for an honorable man. Every body ſhall be ſatisfied.” Two days after he came to me. “All is settled," ſaid he. “Look, here are his bills, with receipts to them. Send them to him, and give him the choice of being no longer in debt to any one by marrying my daughter, or of having me for his ſole creditor, if he refuſes