Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-01-26
KEEP THE LOAF UNDER YOUR OWN
ARM.-A TRUE STORY.


per, printed in the year l777, and related as
fact. Similar cases often occur in these days,
that parent, having given his all into the hands
of his children, is obliged to spend the remain
der, of his days in poverty and want.
At this time there lives at Harlem an old man,
who related the following remarkable story OF
himself He was possessed of pretty good
farm; with slaves and every thing necessary for
a farmer at Harlem, and had but one child, a son,
who marrying, it was agreed that the young
couple should live in the same house with him,
as he was widower Things went exceeding
ly well for some time, when his son proposed to
him that he should make over to him his estate,
promising to build a new house and otherwise
improve the farm. The father, through persua-
sion, gave him deed or gift of it and everything
belonging thereto.
After few years the father grew old, he be-
came a little fretful and dissatisfied, while the
son, thinking he had nothing more to expect from
him. forgot his filal duty, and used him as bad
as one Of the servants The old man was no
longer allowed to eat at the same table his meals
with him and his wife, but was obliged to eat his
meals in the chimney corner, and was continual
ly otherwise i'll used by them. The old man
eat his vlctuals daily from wooden bowl his
son made for him. His grandson saw his fa-
ther make this bowl, and set about making just
such another; being asked by his father what
he made it for, he answered: "For you TO eat
in when you grow old as grandfather"
Although this ought to have turned his heart
and made him reflect that as he dealt by his IA
ther he might expect TO be dealt with by his chill
dren when he grew old, it had no effect upon
him; and the i'll usage to the old man was car
red to such a height that he could no longer
bear it, but left the house and went to relation
and neighbor of his, declaring that if his friend
could not help him to ge: his farm back again,
he should be obliged to come and live with
them.
His friend answered that he might come and
live with him; and that if he would follow his
directions he would help him to get his estate
again.
&C.," said he, " take this bag of dollars, car
ry it to your room at your sons; shut it up in
your chest, and about the time you expect they
will call you down to dinner, shut your door, and
have all your dollars spread on table in the
middle of the room! When they call you, make
a noise with them by sweeping them from the
table into the bag again"
The old man did as he was desired; his
daughter-in.law came up to call him to dinner,
and finding the door shut, she had the curiosity
to peep through the key-hole, and saw the bag
of dollars, and the old man sweeping them off
the table. Surprised at this, she told her hus-
band, but he would not believe it.
The next day the old man again counted his
dollars, and packed up something in paper, like
paper money. His son went up to call him down
and was surprised at what his wife had told him.
They took no notice of it to the old man, but
when he came down they insisted on his sitting
at the table with them, and behaved uncommon
ly civil towards him.
The old man related to his friend what he had
done, who gave him directions what to do if his
son asked him for the money.
After a few days the old man having been
very busy in counting his money again, his son
asked him what money that was he had been
counting.
"Only some money had received for the dis
charge of one of the bonds which had standing
out; expect more in few days, and | fear |
shall be obliged to take poor Mr.. Ms farm,
upon which have mortgage, as he is not able
o raise the money and if the farm is sold it
will not fetch as much as will discharge the mort
gage"
After a few days the son told the father that
he intended to build house on the farm and
would be glad if the father would let him have
the money.
"Yes, child, all that have is coming to you I;
intend giving you the bonds and mortgages
have-but then | think it will be best to have it
put all together into a new deed of gift. | will
get neighbor L - to call here and draw a
new one.
Accordingly his friend and cousin, who devils
e0 the measure, came to the house and the son
gave the father the deed in order that another
might be drawn after it.
When the old man had got the instrument in
to his own hands i'm the presence of his friends,