Page:Honest debtor, or, The virtuous man struggling with, rising superior to, and overcoming misfortune (2).pdf/21

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 an- swer proved a farther incitement to the im- patience of the notary. “Ask him," said he, "to give in a specific account of his debts; and to inform, that a person who in- terests 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 accommod- ation of then, 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. Every body will be satisfied," Two days after he came to me. " All is settled," said he. Look, here are his bills, with re- ceipts 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