Page:Vidyasagar, the Great Indian Educationist and Philanthropist.djvu/84

 of rupees by loan to save many insolvents from being driven out of their hearth and home. Most of them were never famous for their sense of gratitude. They never paid him back or cared to see him again in their lifetime. Instances are known of persons who throve afterwards and could have easily paid him off, which really they never did. Paying back is double labour!

Vidyasagar's extravagant credulity sometimes made him a dupe. A book-seller of Uttarpara regularly and systematically took him in once a year by representing himself as a poor student of the Uttarpara school. For five years he wrote begging letters and working upon his feelings received by post all the books he wanted, which he sold off directly. It fell out that the Headmaster of the school paid Vidyasagar a visit and the latter took occasion to ask the former how that boy was faring. Of course the teacher could not tell him anything but promised to enquire into it in return. In a few days Vidyasagar was