Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-07-06
A True Story Of Human Nature.
From the Springfield Republican.

AhO'ha WV 'BaHibAchu AAcpuOhOohs
There once lived in small town in Mas
sachuseits an old Indian woman. Somehow
or other the old woman had accumulated
quite desirable little property. Yet she was
an Indian, and was treated with cool con-
tempt by her neighbors. She had no seat in
the social circle, received no attention from
those around her, occupied back pew in
the church, and down towards the grave she
travelled, without friend or comforter.
Old Nance had but ono rclative living that
she knew of and he, a wild, graceless son.
He was the terror of the village, and spent
his time in any thing but respectable way.
| At last, the vagnbond 80 worried the forbear-
ance of his old mother, that in hasty mo
ment she resolved to disinherit him and leave
her money to the Church.
| Accordingly she started for the house Of
one of the Deacons, and made clean breast
| of her troubles, and acquainted him with her
determination. The Deacon grew from
| cool TO n very amiabie mood as she proceed-
ed, and, at last, became profuse in his express
sions of gratitude.
The will, through the agency of the Dea-
con, was drawn, but the old woman, feeling
little compunction, had clause inserted
which should make it void, provided the son
should totally reform bis habits. Secrecy
was enjoinedupon the Deacon, who of course
told nobody but his wife, who of course said
nothing about il save TO one or two friends
who of course spread il all over the village in
the space Of one day.
But the change wrought in the situation ol
old Nance was miraculous. Such good
old womanl" The nice bits from the bes,
tables began to journey, under neat napkins
to her humble abode. On n rainy Sabbath
/ f<,0ls hoe L.. n
ried her to church, where she was kindly "a.
vored with front pew, near the speaker, and
near the stove. Her praise was in eyerybo.
dy's mouth, and her tottcring form command.
ed respect every where. But she thrived re.
markably under this treatment, and lived
and lived, and lived, and lived. In the mean.
time the son was looked upon with more
than usual distrust, and the poor widow wai
deeply commscrated on his disgraceiu
course.
Years passed away, and tho kind attcn'
tions of friends were still continued to the
widow, when, at last, old Nance slept the
sleep that knows no waking. A large funer.
al, one of the largest the little village had ev'
er seen, attended her to her grave in the qui
ct church-yard. There were tears sheC
above her bier, and benisons breathed upor
her memory.
The funeral was past. The Deacon, the
Squire, and n number Of the village notables
were gathered in her dwelling, and in one
corner of the room sat the sad and taciturI
son.
esquire" said the Deacon, 81 believe
there is will"
"Yes, there is n will"
"Will you have the kindness to read it."
The will was produced. All was SILENT
The will was read, in which all the widow
, property was bequeathed to tho Church.
Many an eye sought the face of'he Prodigs
!, son, but saw no change in his stolid features
4 When the reading was finished, the so
!. arose and drawing piece of paper from b
:, pocket, inquired the date of "thnt syrssin''
= The date was stated, and handing Il
~ Squire his paper, the portionless asked hi
vs TO read it.
4. Alas it was will one day younger tht
n the other. The fond mother, in her wea
ness, had told the son what she had don
Nv and he managed to have will drawn tive
a. ty-iour hours after the previous one, in whit
n. lie was the sole legatee.
90 The assembled wisdom and disintereste
"a ness of the village went home thinking, al
nj the son had the pleasant satisfaction of know
N ing that his mothers last days were her be
or days. Reader, this is not fiction. 1t is b.
n an instance of the weakness in our commc
IN natures, which, in similar development
n comes before us with humiliating frequenc
A. alike in the highest and lowest walks of lii