The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-02-23
Paul Boyton Belated.

Capt. Boyton is in Italy, giving exhi-
billions of his life preserving apparatus,
to the wonder and admiration of the ma
tives. AS opportunity permits he stops
on the shores of the Pc and gives exhi-
billions to the towns along the shore,
frequently gaining golden opinions by
devoting the proceeds to the poor. His
adventures in this philantropic pilgrim
age, for if he succeeds in introducing
this apparatus he will be public bene-
factor, are sometimes curious and any
thing but pleasant. One bleak, cold
evening in November, after having,
though weakened by fever, combatteu
with the wind and waves all day, seeing
lights on the shore he landed and tried
to make his way to place OF refuge,
but losing his way he wandered about
in the darkness for over six hours, and
it was only after eleven o'clock that,
wearing his life preserver and holding
an oar in his hand, represented himself
at the house of fruit-seller, where
some peasants we're playing cards.
They, seeing this strengthening object
at the door, concluded that it was an ap-
partition, and shut the door in his face.
Twas only after vigorous use of his fists
and lungs that he could persuade them
that he was real flesh and blood, but
even then, their fears giving way to
suspicion, they would not permit him
to pass the night in the house, but as
signed him to place in the stable with
the horses and cattle. Finally, however,
by his courteous manners and the dis
play of well-flled pocket-book, he
convinced them that he was an honest
man, when they took him to the nearest
hotel, the landlord of which, having
heard of the exploits and character of
his guest, received him kindly and gave
him comfortable lodgings. The next
day one of the first families in the place
called upon him and invited him to
their house, an invitation which he ac
copied, giving several exhibitions on a
little lake in the neighbofhood, which
in his honor received his name.
A SICK WoMAN's PEr.--A young bed
ridden woman has lately had an inter-
esting experience with a monstrous rat.
She resided with her mother and two
sisters in a couple of humble apart
ments in Liverpool, England. On ac-
count of the efforts of the mother and
sisters to support their home the inva-
lid was frequently left alone for hours.
When all was quiet huge rat first
made his appearance through an aper-
ture in closet. The sick girl having
no fear Of rodents threw some crumbs
from her table, but for several days the
big rat declined and ventured no furth-
| %hov g Ian l,0vn,,I hn10
Finally he took courage and rushed out
for the morsels of brerd thrown by the
feeble hands; still he made as little de-
lay as possible until the time had grown
ripe for closer acquaintance. The in
valid gradually induced his ratship to
make nearer advances, and he began to
linger after the daily meal and gambol
about the floor until the first strange
footstep fell upon the threshold, and
then he was off like flash. Then it be-
came one of the poor sick girls whims
to have her rats daily portion specially
laid by, and the fierce looking and ano-
malous pet at length was coaxed to run
up the side of the table and nibble his
dinner beside his kindly mistress.
Even then he could not be induced to
stay if the most stealthy football were
heard near the door. The only way in
which outsiders could watch his move
ments was through the little windows
on the top of the door: At last he per-
mitted himself to be fondled without
any treacherous resistance, and the sick
girl had not the least fear of him. He
was never heard at night, nor was there
any other rat about the premises. Then
the feeble hand could serve the strange
u! pet no longer, nor could the poor girl
be left alone long enough to assure the
tanned rodent that it was safe to come
out. She died, and all other efforts to
call him out of his hiding place were
unavailing. The sick girl had had him
in a tame condition for nearly six
months.
i A MONSTER LIGHTHOUsR.-The con-
struction of the great lighthouse which
is to stand on the brow of the Trocadoro
in Paris during the great exhibition Of
1878 has begun. The lighthouse in the
1867 exhibition was only ffty-three
matars f120 faatl HIGH wharoaS the