Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1850-06-28
From the Springfield Republican.
A True Story OF Human Nature.

"A AfUC story Oh An u0l:an Nature.
There once lived in a small town in Massa-
chusetts an old Indian woman Somehow OF
other the old woman had accumulated quite a
desirable little property. Yet she was an Indian,
and was treated with cool contempt by her
neighbors. She had 10 seat in the social circle
received no attention from those around her, &C.
cupied back pew in the church; and down to-
wards the grave she travelled without friend or
comforter.
Old Nance had but one relative living that
she knew of. and he wild gracelss son.-He
was the terror of the village, and spent his time
in any thing but respectable way. AT last the
vagabond so worried the forbearance 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
troubles, and acquainted him with the determn-
alton. The deacon grew from cool to a very
amiable mood as she proceeded, and at became
profuse in his expressions of gratitude.
The will, through the agency of the deacon
was drawn; but the old woman, feeling little
conjunction, had clause inserted which should
make it void, provided the son shonld totally re-
form his habits. Secrecy was enjoined upon the
deacon, who of course told nobody but his wife,
or two friends who of course spread it all over
the village in the space of one day.
But the change wrought in the situation of
old Nance was miraculous "The nice bits
from the best tables began to journey under
neat napkins to her humble abode. On rainy
Sabbath, carriage took her up at her door, and
carried her to church, where she was kindly
favored with front pew, near the spea ler, and
near the stove. Her praise was in every body S
mouth, and her lettering form comm anded re-
spect every where But she thrived remarka-
bly, under this treatment, and lived, and lived,
and lived. In the mean time the son was look
ed upon with more than usual disEust, and the
poor widow was deeply commiserated On his dis
graceful course.
Years passed away, and the kind attentions
of friends were still con inued to the widow,
when at last, old Nance slept the sleep that
knows no waking. A 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 paat. The deacon, the squire
and number of the village notables, were
gathered in her dwelling, and in one corner of
the room sat the sad and taciturn son.
esquire" said the deacon, 81 believe there is
a will
cYes, there is will"
"Wil you have the kindness to read it ?"
The will was produced All was silent
The will was, in which all the widows proper
ty was bequeathed to the church. Many an eye
sought the face of the prodigal son, but saw no
change in his stolid features.
When the reading was finished the son arose,
and drawing piece of paper from his pocket
inquired the date OF shat ar will.
The date was stated and handing the Squire,
his paper, the portionless asked him to read it,,
Alas! it was a will ono d"y younger than the
other. phc iond mother in her weakness had
told the son what she had done, and ne managed
to have will drawn twenty-fonr hours alter the
previous one, in which he was the sole legatee
The assembled wisdom and disinterestedness
of the village went home thinking, and the son
had the pleasant satisfaction of knowing that his
mothers last days were her best days.
Reader, this is not a fiction. 1t is but an in
stance of the weakness in our common natures
which, in similar developments, comes before
US with humiliating frequency, alike in the
highest and lowest walks of life.