The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-03-22
Found mt Last.

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in the search of the egg of christopher
Columbus has become known beyond
the worm eaten antiquarian association
for the discovery of the rarities, have
been unremittingly pursued by persons
DESTROYS of my service in the special de-
tective business.
A good natured but rich old virtuoso
called upon me ore morning and intro
duced himself. asked him whether
could do anything for him, and he said
he hoped so, but could, perhaps, tell
better after he had made his wants
known.
II have lived" said he, "a long time
upon this planet-have had unusual OPP
portunities and means of seeing the
world-and 1 am pretty well assured
that there are few rare or curious things
that have not come to my knowledge.
"Your fame" continued he, "has
reached my ears, and, as you have per-
formed many apparent impossibilitles, II
il fair to infer that You are capable OF
accomplishing more. l desire. sir, to
come across a man Sho never told lie.
Can you furnish him?"
Indeed" replied I. "you pay very
high compliment to my powers. L have
no hesitation in contrasting that the task
of finding person of any reasonable age
who is guiltless of falsehood is very
difficult one"
Eyes, sir" my visitor returned, sit is
a job of unsurpassing magnitude. There
is only one instance in history, believe,
of man who never told lie, but he
died long ago, and his great virtue died
within him. He exhausted the subject. "
II presume" said 1, 'you insist upon
an 'out-and- outer'-that is, one who
never told even the slightest fib, either
in joke or in an innocent, philosophical
manner"
Eyes, SIR" he replied, II want the
genuine article
After few more remarks between us,
my customer withdrew. l had bound
myself to find man who had never told
a lie.
At last, after spending time money and
health, without the remo.est symptom of
success, began to feel strong suicidal
tendencies. was within about week s
journey from home. Dark, indeed, had
been my returning path, an l now the
deepest gloom weighed down my spirits.
I seemed to me that nature was given up
to the sin of lying to greater extent
than I had ever dreamed Of
But somebody has said that "it is al
ways darkest just before day" have
the best reason for subscribing to the
perfect correctness of that apothegm.
With what indescribable feelings, then,
of triumphant Joy did l send off the fol-
lowing Geographic dispatch to my friend,
the virtuoso:
Complete fruition has crowned my
work! l have this day found the object
of my search. No doubt of its genuine
ness. What shall do with him?"
In short time response was re-
turned, in which, after being congratu-
lated, l was directed to bring my man to
him. sparing neither money nor influence
for that purpose.
l consulted with the gentleman and
obtained his assent to the proposition.
He was perfectly willing to go with me,
and he evInced as much interest in this
novel business as either my customer OF
myself.
found him comfortable apartments
at one OF our best hotels, and sent for
my employer. He came without the
least delay.
And so, my dear fellow, yoa have
found him."
81 have" 1 replied. "but it was after a
most arduous search" And after telling
him where to find him, my delighted
customer withdrew, while l sought that
rest which my longworked and over
tired system required. l slep, that night
as one covered with laurels.
=. had a very early caller next morning
in my anxious customer. He quietly
took a seat by my side. wearing upon his
face the most curious, solemn expression
1 ever saw on a human physiognomy.
He placed his hand upon my knee and
looked into my face. Pausing q mo-
ment. he said:
''What is the matter with that MANI
Nothing. 1 hope said /. "to his
discredit. He hasn't been lying to you,
has hep
II think not" said my visitor-and
the frozen face melted little. why,
sir. the fellows AS dumb as an oysterl'
That's correct" said /. "And he
has been ever since he was born.
Here" continued. suiting the action
to the word, lis the joint affidavit of his
father and mother to that effect. He has