(4, p. 63.)

No doubt but many who left home, as it were, “on the sly,” so as to escape the consequences of bankruptcy, had, nevertheless, some hopes, or rather a wish, to return and make amends for such seeming misconduct, instances of which has sometimes occurred. One I may here relate. A person belonging to Perth, in Scotland, failed in business, and privately absconded, fearing, through delicacy of disposition, to face his creditors; having eluded their knowledge, he made his way to Sydney, in Australia. There he continued for about seven years, and by active industry amassed a considerable fortune, yielding a handsome yearly income, during which time he was never heard of, and was given up for lost. However he again made his appearance in his native town, in mendicant’s garb, as a very poor man. His appearance had somewhat altered, so that he was scarcely known, until he acknowledged he was indeed the person he so much resembled. In the character of a very poor man he asked assistance from one and another of his former creditors, but was refused, except from one, who gave him a few shillings with the advice to “put it to good use, and not waste it.” Shortly afterwards, he caused a great dinner to be made ready in one of the chief hotels in the place, and invited all his creditors and former friends, who came, and were not a little surprised to see the superb style in which he was dressed, and the dinner that was laid out, to which he warmly invited them to partake; saying, he now felt happy to meet them under such circumstances. When the cloth was removed and the bowl of punch set in the midst, he rose and said, “Let us fill our glasses, and so proceed to business.” While the glasses were filling, he pulled a bag of gold from his coat pocket and his pocket book, and laid them on the table. This caused more surprise, when he said, “I mean now to settle all my accounts. Here’s to good fortune!” he cried, raising his glass; “and I hope you will all do the same.” The toast was responded to with all good will. Then he began to inquire how much of a claim each had against him. The amount altogether did not exceed £350, which he paid, with interest; but to the one who helped him with the few shillings and advice he paid with compound interest. “Now,” said he, after he had paid all, “I hope you are all satisfied.” To which all expressed entire satisfaction, and began each to tell him what they thought concerning his long absence, yet all allowed they never dreamed of seeing his face. But hoped that now, as he had again come among them, he would make himself contented to pass the remainder of his time with them. “Na, na!” was the reply; “I would not live in such a place as this is for all you could give me; but, however, let us spend this night in good will, for I must go back to where I came from in a day or two.” But that day or two extended to more than a month, and when he went he took with him as his wife the eldest daughter of the one who bestowed on him the few shillings.