Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1839-10-15
A SKETCH FROM LIFE.


that of Hunks, died in the adjacent town Of
Chnrlestown last week, who would have
been capital subject for Dickens, and might
have sat to Scott for his inimitablc chaiac-
ter Of Trapbois in the Fortunes Of Nigel
lie was n m,serly. close listed old hunks, n
real skinfllnt, who il was supposed by his
neehbors, had screpcd together as such
characters will in one way and another, n
considerable amount Of money. THIS was
not known, however. Some said that he
had money concealed in the earth--o,hers
Judged fr' m the slovcnly manner in which
he lived and dressed, that he had nothing
but the few acres which he cultivated. He
lived like the poorest, shutting his door upon
every intruder-ill at last Death Knocked,
and he was obliged TO open. During his
sickness as he was wont to send daily for u
small purse of silver and gold, hid in the wall
Of his cellar, which he would count over
with that feeling of painful delight, which
lnhabits the bosom Of the true miscr alone.
Disease, however, wore his frame rapidly,
and at last he was unequal to the task Of
going through his daily custom of counting
the pieces in his purse, and could only. ms
they were displayed before him. pat them
softly with his hands, as lady pats her ia
vori,e dog on the back.
One day during the last stages fthe dis
ease, he sent for neighbor aud express
cd wish 10 impart n secret 10 him 'fo
down cellar, (sad he, land in the further cor
ncr you will find tub Raise il, aud YOU
will see Single, beneath which is box
The ind vidual followed the direct ms, and
found box OF specie. Nov 90 to ano,h
er corner" said the miscr, describing the
place Another box was found imbeddcc
in the earth A day or two after, when he
found that he must soon leave all his earth
w treasures, he desired TO he raised up II
his bed. His request was granted when h'
Immediately reached out his skinny han,
brneath HE pillow, and 10! another bo
was found cunningly'conc called, containing
about $500 in French gold pieces, which i
| is understood he took from one Of the bnnk
about the time Of the SUSPENSION of speci
payments. An these buried treasures wer
given in the keeping ofhis neighbor for IN
benefit of others lie said there was on
other box, but he didn't like to tell where
was as he might want IL himself He how
ever consented TO write the place Of inter
ment on piece Of paper, So that the secre
might not perish with him. lie died 500
after, and his hidden treasures-no incor
siderable sum-were counted at the clos
ofthe funeral ceremonies.
Thus died, ut an advanced age. one who's
only aspiration, through long life, seen,
to have been the boarding Of specie an
burying il. where it could be of no earhl
r benefit to any one-a perfect mser ia To-,
er Of money not for the blessings which
might impart and diti'use around him, b,
for lis own sake - not for the name opposes
sing it, Cor he feigned AMI was thought to b
, poor--bui becau C the mere habit nf acqu
t siton had become a passion and the bar
conscientlou>ness Of possesslon was pleasur
IA phantom of delight. which he could hn
with rapture 10 his bosom. Well will II h
for such if they have laid up treasures
Heaven as well ms on earth But we vi
y not serm pnze the lesson conveyed by III
! sketch is left with the reader. - Ctremo
" H. Eagle.