The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-07
No. 3O5.
From The Springfield Republican.
A True story or Human Natur.

There lived in small town in Massachu-
setts 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 contempt by her neighbors. She had no
seat in the social circle, received attention from
those around her. occupied a back pew in the
church; and down towards the grave she travelled,
without friend or comforter.
Old Nance had but one relative living that she
knaw Of, and he a wild, graceless SON. He the
terror of the village, and spent his time in any
thing but respectable way. At last the vagabond
80 worried the iorbearance of his old mother, that
in a hasty moment 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 trou-
blcs, and acquainted him with her determination
The deacon grew from a cool to very amiablc
mood as she proceeded, and at last became proiusc
in his expressions of gratitude.
The will, through the agency Of the deacon, was
drawn; but the old Woman, feeling little compunc-
tion, had a clause inserted which should make it
void, provided the son should totally reform his
habits. Secrecy enoined upon the deacon,
who of course told nobody but his wife, who of
course said nothing about il save to one two
friends who of course spread il all over the village
in the space of one day
But the change wrought in the situation of old
Nance was miraculous ''Such good old woman!
The nice bits from the best tables began TO journey
under neat napkins to her humble abode. On
rainy Sabbath, a carriage took her up at her door
and carried her TO church, where she kindly
favored with front pew, near the speaker, and
mouth, and her lettering form commanded respect
every where. But she thrived remarkably under
this treatment and lived, and lived, and lived. In
the mean time the looked upon with more
than usual distrust, and the poor widow was deeply
commiserated on his disgraceful course.
Years passed away, and the kind attentions Of
friends were still continued To the widow when, at
last, old Nance slept the sleep that knows waking
large funeral, one of the largest the little village
had ever seen, attended her TO her grave in the
quiet church yard There were tears shed above
her bier, and benisons breathed upon her memory.
The funeral was past. The deacon, the squire,
and a number of the village notables, gath
cred in her dwelling and in one corner of the room
sat the sad and taciturn son.
Squire said the deacon, 81 believe there is a
will''
eyes, there is a will"
fWill you have the kindness to read il 20
The will was produced. All was silent, The will
read, in which all the widows property was
bequeathed to the church Many an eye sought
his -tolid features
When the reading was finished the arose,
and drawing piece of paper from his pocket, in
quired the date of "that ar will"
The date stated, and handing the Squire his
paper, the portionless asked him TO read il.
Alas i was will one day younger than the
other. The fond mother in her weakness had told
the what she had done, and he managed 10
have will drawn twenty four hours after the pre-
vious one in which lac the sole legatee.
The assembled wisdom and disinterestedness Of
the VILLAGE went home MinkinR. and the son had
the ligas mt stt 7ie14. Gag0 tl.it DC elAU
~er's Hge sore b., 5t Gays,
aser tl's meta .sieN. itlf t1t an n itat.e1
~ ,re tno7a ir Coz .JpG uatlrsa, lich, q
sifaiisf dc ei1p1ueots. com before u y t hefaA
iu'irg ireQce 1cy, s.lys a. lRp higll and ceaa'
walks % 8ps.