The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1888-07-12
THE VANISHING INK.
How Misery Old Jones Outwitted
Himself

his soul
| However. he had come To be fifty
years Of age before he bethought him
of his worst trick-before he became
thief in fact as we'll as ia wish.
On that day he saw in the news
paper he borrowed from his neighbor.
and only returned when it was asked
for. an advertisement stating that q
/ certain person had for sale an ink
which. black as a ravens wing at
first. faded in sixteen DAYS, and left
no trace Of what had been written
with il
IAN excellent ink. " said the adver-
/ tisement. for love letters.
Now. old Jones never wrote a love-
letter ia his life, but he certainly sd
| dressed that advertiser, and received a
small, sealed box that day; and it was
very singular that when poor David
Grimes died, his widow found only a
Bit Of blank paper where she was sure
she had put the receipt for rent. and
that the orphan children Of DR. Dunn
discovered that their father had no
documents 10 prove that he had paid
of the mortgage Jones held on the
place. though he had thanked Heaven
that il WAS done with his latest breath.
However, nobody knew any thing
about the vanishing ink. and their
little house was taken from them. One
went out as nursery gOverness. the
other learned dress-making; and
Jones young nephew. Oliver. an in
dependent young fellow. who never
Thought TO curry favor with his rich
uncle, went over to his house and gave
him piece Of his mind.
" A thousand dollars was nothing TO
you. Uncle he said. 81 believe the
doctor paid il, but if he did not. how
could you turn the girls out Of house
and hOmc?"
You have no right to dictate TO
me. young man. cried old Jones
Perhaps You think, as my next of
kin. my money will 90 TO you when ]
die. II shan't; not a penny Of il; no.
not penny Of IL. But | see what il
is. You're sweet on Kitty Dunn. You
wanted the house"
love Kitty Dunn. ! shan't deny
that. replied Oliver; "but all l want
is To he able 20 marry her. However,
I'll work hard"
You'll wait for nv old shoes"
yelled the old man; "but swear you
shan't get a penny. No! not one. Get
out Of my house. NV brother always
was an abusive, insulting fellow, and
you are his image"
Thank God. don't resemble YOU"
retOrted Oliver. as he marched away.
wishing that he knew how to make
more than five dollars a week, enough
at least 10 enable him to save Kitty
from dress making; ashamed of his I'M
Gle. who, he felt sure, cheated the poor
doctor and his orphans.
1t is not well for gentlemen Of apo
plectic tendencies 10 fall into great
RACES. Old Jones discovered this that
night After swearing 50 that the
only wonder was that the ground did
not open and swallow him, he had
something Of the nature Of fit Hap
PLY for him neighbOr saw him stag
ger and fall rs he came out to fasten
his gate, and helped him into the house
and sent for the doctor.
The doctor came. shook his head,
and advised him 10 settle his affairs
and send for the minister.
lis il rs bad rs that?" asked old
Jones. mo matter for the minis
ter Send for Lawyer Peabody.
haven't made nv will. and If die my
good-for-nothing nephew, Oliver, viii
get all leave.
Lawyer Peabody. summoned in
haste, came at once.
81 want my will made" said old
Jones.
Certainly. sir" said Mr. Peabody.
What's a good charity?" asked
Nj; Jones.
IL beg pardon?" asked the lawyer.
81 want to leave my money 10 some
one-something-away from nephew
Oliver. He'll-get tiff 1 don'tr'
painted Jones.
There's the INDECENT Widows
Home" said the lawyer.
Hate womenm gasped old Jones.
Destitute Clerks Association" said
the lawyer.
mo; Oliver might get taken in
there in his old age. Who is the
richest man in the county,"
"Old Captain Waddilove-wOrth a
Million" said Mr.. Peabody.
I'm leave il all to him." said the
miser.
Mr.. Peabody knew him too well to
demonstrate. Tie took some paper
from the escritoire. and he also filed
up an empty ink stand with a small
bottle Of ink which he found. and went
to work. The miser. lying with closed
eyes. begged him to express his-Mr.
Jones'-high respect for the character
Of old Captain Waddilove. and 10 say
that this, rs well az that spendthrifts
should not waste his savings. was his
motive in leaving all to him unknown,
as he was.
u took two people To hold the miseF
mp in bed while he feebly traced his
signature. but this once done, he
chuckied and laughed. and boosted
that he had outwitted Oliver
That night his mind wandered. The
next day he lost all use Of his limbs
But he lived a fortnight more, and
died at last quite suddenly. after try
ing to swear At the good old minister.
who strove to recall HIM to a sense
that he had a soul.
The funeral WAS over Not a tear
was shed. The time for the reading
Of the viii had come.
perhaps Mr.. Oliver. you had bet
te- hear it, said Mr.. Peabody. You
are the heir-at-law but for this. !
fairly warn you that your late uncle
has proved his III feeling towards you
TO be deeP-ssated; but l would like
you 70 come"
"rH come" said Oliver. 81 know
my uncle hated me. expect moth
ing"
And 50 he sat in the queer little par
Tor, where curious neighbOrs assembled
10 hear what Miser Jones had done
with his half million Of money.
The lawyer sat in their midst He
held in his hand = paper. Endorsed:
LAST VIII and Testament Of Y Jones
- - 81 =