The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-07-08

"Once upon time" there lived in a
Massachusetts, town an old Indian woman
who had but one relative, O graceless
son. Now the old woman had accumu-
lated quite a little property, to which
last the vagabond SO worried the for
bearance Of his old mother, that, in a
hasty moment, she resolved to disin-
herit him, and leave her money to the
church. Accordingly she started for the
house of one of the deacons, made a
clean breast of her troubles, and ac-
quainted him with her determination.
The deacon grew from cool to very
amiable mood, as she proceeded, and,
ut last, became profuse in his express
sions of gratitude. He helped her to
have her will altered; ascertained Just
how much she was worth. The news
gradually spread through the village,
and, alas for human nature! the despised
old woman was soon treated with re-
spect. Her praise was in everybody's
mouth. and her tottering form com
manded respect everywhere. She
thrived remarkably under this treat
ment, and lived, and lived, and lived.
In the meantime, the son was looked
upon with more than usual distrust, and
the poor widow was deeply commisser-
ated in his disgraceful course. Years
passed away, and the kind attentions of
friends were still continued to the wild
ow, when at last she slept the sleep that
knows no waking. The funeral was
past. The deacon, the squire, and
number of village notables were gath
cred i'll her dwelling, and in the corner
of the room sat the sad and taciturn son.
The will was opened and read. All the
widows property was left to the church.
Many an eye sought the face of the prodi
gal son, but saw no change in his stolid
features. When the reading was fin
ished, the son arose, and, drawing
piece of paper from his pocket, inquired
the date OF that ar will? p The date
was stated, and, handing the squire his
paper, the portionless son asked him to
read it. Alas! it was will one day
younger than the other The fond
mother in her weakness had told the
son what she had done, and he had man.
aged to have will drawn twenty four
hours after the previous one. in which
he was the sole legatee. There was moth
ing to be said, of course; but the assem-
bled people went home thinking, leav-
ing the son sad no longer, but smiling
in glee.
An OLD BIBLE. - The Protestant
Bible of the year 1869, recently pre-
scented by Mr.. Peter G. Brooks to the
General Theological Library, at Boston,
is far surpassed in age by copy of
scripture in the possession of Mr.. Miner
X. Kellogg. 1t is book of some | 900
pages, duodecimo, printed on thin but
perfectly preserved paper, in fine let
ter German text, quite distinct, and
in black ink not in the least faded. It's
heavy calf binding has stood the wear
of three and half centuries unim-
paired, and the red letters on the title
page are we'll nigh as clear as when on
April IL, 1923, Francois Regnault, Of
Paris, printed them. His initials ap.
pear lower, placed on an elephant, and
surmounted by a cross, forming the
frontispiece. There are no verses or
paragraphs in the chapters, each of
which is preceded by a brief summary,
and begins with fancy initial. 1t con-
tains tables, in alphabetical order, of
the Old and New Testaments, and of
the principal events recorded and per-
sons named, with marginal notes. To
the book of Genesis is prefixed full
page engraving representing the labors
of the six days of creation, very quantity
treated. The edges OF the leaves are
marbled somewhat irregularly; this, the
crookedness of the cover, and an occa-
sionally imperfect register, are the only
faults that can be detected in its me-
chanical construction.
| A QUAKER having had bag of golden
eagles stolen from his counter while he
stepped into his back room but a mo-
ment, never mentioned his loss to sim
gle soul, but quietly bided his time.
Several months afterwards neighbor,
being in his office, carelessly asked if
he'd ever heard anything of that bag of
eagles that he'd lost. "Ah, joint" ex-
claimed the Quaker, thou art the thief,
or thou couldst not have known any
thing about it." The shrewd old fellow
was right, and the gold was restored,
with interest.
A CASE OF GRATIrUDE.-A poor tramp
who obtained supply of food from
Prof. Perkins little daughter, in Iowa
City, and afterward obtained employ.
ment in the neighborhood, held the act
of kindness in grateful remembrance,
when a few days later the child was
drowned. He watched the river inces-
sanity for days. Finally he found the
body in tree-top. He carried it three
miles to house, and then went and
carried the news to Iowa City.
ENGLISH CHAFF.-On the road to Ep.
som, a moustached youth, on the top OF
drag, evidently ambitious of being