Connecticut western news., 1871-12-15
THE NEW WITNESS.

THE NEW WITNESS.
 An odd sort of g parsonage, as regarded his pets, was old MT. Ovington, and he had indulged his peculiarities to his hearts content in these latter years, and there, on the head of one gate-post' while John Grapley leaned against the other, perched except, perhaps, these newly discovered grandchildren whose inopportunc arrival had so wrung what ought to have been John Grapleys's heart.
 On the top of the gate-post, with his dark, brilliant satirical eye turned know ingly sldewise, now at Johns moody face, and now at the doctor buggy at the road side, as much as to say:
 know all about it. Don't you wish that you did?"
 John would have thrown brick at his step fathers tame crow. if he had dared, and silenced his irritating cav for ever.
 "The old man isn't sick,n muttcred John !" but he always consults with Doc tor Prindle on money affairs, as much as on physic. It was the doctor that drew the other will, and know what was in that"
 "Ca-a-a-ca-caw!'' emphatically remark cd Martin the crow.
 "It's more than likely" John continued, with petulant glance at Martin, |" that the old man has got the doctor here now to cook up some confounded change in favor of that white faced girl and Ter brother. To rob me for the children of scapegraee whom he disinherited score of years ago. It's shame
 "Ca-a-a caw," philosophised Martin.
 "Shut up, you ill-omened croakcr! Any how, l can lounge around under the win dow, and see if there's chance of know ing what they're at." s r The low and vine-hung window of old Mr. Ovington's "study" was opened wide that Summer afternoon, and man who chose to crouch under it, as John Grapley did, could hardly fail to hear most of what might be sad, in any ordinary tone of voice, by those within the room.
 John bad slipped noiselessly away from the gate, leaving the tame crow to his own meditations; but Martin was a sociable bird, and had already completed his ob- servations of the doctors horse and buggy He was morally sure that he could steal neither. and they were therefore matters of indifference to him. But we must go little ahead of Martin.
 When, some twenty minutes earlier, Doctor Prlndle had entered the house, he had been ushered into the study by sweet Alice Oyin9ton herself, daughter of that Adrian Ovington, whose runaway love match had embfttered so many years of his fathers existence. .-ss--..
 lovely girl, indeed, was Alice, of not yet eighteen Summers; and it was no wonder that her stern grandfather had opened his heart to his sons dying peti- ton in behalf of her and her brother.
 Doctor Prindle was one of those brisk but dignifed old gentlemen who know all most everything, say very little, and are exceedingly valuable members of society," Alice told him that her brother George was well, and would soon be home from college, to spend the vacation with his grandfather.
 ''Ycs, Alice" said the doctor; s'let him spend it all here, It will be better"
 And then he disappeared through tEe study-door, closing it fast behind him. Alice hurried away, te attend to house. hold affairs, and the muffled sound of voices from the study dled quickly away. Very few words passed, at first, between MT. Ovipgton and his counsellor, and the old mans red and choleric visage betrayed no atom ot emotion, as he took from its envelope paper of every moderate dimen- sions and spread it on the table, saying
 "There it is, doctor. I guess you'll find it right. That's the will.''
 Sensible thing. Glad of it." growled the doctor, as he settled himself in his chair
 A moment more, and he was deeply en- gagged on the precious document. Slowly and carefully he read it down, as if he die not mean to do it twice, and when he had completed it he only said:'
 "Correct. And now what 2" --..
 "Ca-a-ca-ca ]" crooked a doubtful voice at the window and then Martin himself Tapped heavily in, and perched o1 the table beside his master.
 Martin, my boy, it's all right. only wish you could sign as witness"
 "Ca-a-cav," said Martin.
 ''I wish he could," said Dr. Prindle but as you've only got old Hcctor's nam' here, suppose you will want mine. It. all right, otherwIse."
 "Of course it is" gasped the old gentle man. "It's copy of the one you drew in all but the names and the division. It. no injustice to John Grapley. He is wei taken care of, and, besides, he has proper ty of his own, from his mother, and h. has no claims of blood on me''
 OlAAl3 AO CutS nlLu Out Ol H very COlll fortable pile" said the doctor "Where' the pen? That rascalIy bird Look a him. There he is on the top of the book case, with the pen in his mouth''
 "Martin, you scamp laughed his mas ter, "come down with that pen, or Fl disinherit you. Never mind, doctor Don't look at him, and he'll bring it back in minute. He's fond of stealing but he never keeps anything long,"
 Sure enough, in the course of two o three minutes the pen was on tho tabl, again, and meantime the two friends talk ed on.
 "John will hardly be pleased with this, said the doctor.
 ssI shan't care, then, whether he is O net, and don't care much, anyway.n
 "Have you destroyed the otker will :?
 "No; but Pm going to. It's ove tbere in the secretary. You will knoy where to find this one, if you outliye me.
 "An right" said the doctor. s'Martl has brought back the pen" It was slo, and grabbed signature that the doctor al fixed, but it was good enough for the pul pose.
 When he had signed the will. and put haalx fx. ita h1a ia.,fraI araUnd r1xye