Samuel Appleton, a distinguished Boston merchant, was once sued for a
note, found among the papers of a deceased merchant tailor, and signed
with his name. The handwriting was exactly like his own, but he
declared it to be a forgery, albeit his own brother said he could not
positively say it was not Mr. Appleton's writing, though he believed
it could not be genuine. The Judge was against Mr. Appleton, but the
jury found a verdict in his favor, because they were confident that
nothing could induce him to dispute the payment of a note unless
certain that he did not owe it. Some years later Mr. Appleton
discovered proof that the actual signer of the note was a ship-master
of the same name, who had been dead many years. Thus, the finding of
the jury was justified. It was based on his good reputation and it
illustrates the truth of the proverb, which says: "A good name is
rather to be chosen than great riches." The root of Mr. Appleton's
good name was his good conduct. He was honest and honorable in all
things.