Page:Honest debtor, or, The virtuous man struggling with, rising superior to, and overcoming misfortune (2).pdf/5

5 ' Here,' said he, ' are five hundred loux d'ors, arising from three years savings, and a paper signed by my hand that will indi- cate the use to which I wish them to be put. It was signed Oliver Salvary. How great was my surprise to find it was destined for nothing but objects of luxury! A thousand crowns to a jeweller; a thousand to a cabi- net-maker; a hundred louis for milinery; as much for laces, and the rest to a perfum- er. ' I surprise you,' said he ; Yet you do not see all. I have already paid, thank hea- ven, three hundred louis for the like fool- lries: and I have much yet to pay before e- very thing will be discharged. Must I tell to you sir ? Alas! I am a disgraced man in my own country, and I am labouring here to wipe away a stain I have brought upon my name. In the mean while, I may die; and die insolvent. I wish to make you a witness of my good intentions, and the efforts I am making to repair misfortunes land my shame. What I am going to relate to you may be considered as my testament, which I request you to receive, that, in case of my death, you may take the necessary pains to restore my character. ' You will live long enough,' said I ; you will have time to efface the remembrance of the mis- fortunes of your youth. But, if, in order to make you easy, you want nothing but a faithful witness of your sentiments and con-