The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-10-08
The Nameltss Nisey,


extraordinary story of a miscr:
SHE is an old mana very old man: he
| is also strange mana very strange man,
whose history and name are alike unknown
His business is that of paper scavenger,
and the spoil which he collects in journey
ing about the city, he disposes of at the rate
OF one cent per pound. Many pounds does
he ollen gather in a single day; but as it
only costs him bat four shillings week TO
live, it is certain that he lays up few shil.
lings at the close of every day. He com
mences his daily business in the downtown
streets, even when the day is breaking,
and continues at his monotonous employ.
ment until the dark hours.
He nevergoes home to dinner, but, when
hungry, generally purchases dry crust of
bread, and eats it sitting upon the lower
steps Of the Custom House, or the City
Hall. Never does he utter word to liv-
ing soul; and when the strangerlooks upon
him, he feels disposed TO exclam, '.wha. a
poor, miserable beingw He is, indeed, a
pitiable object TO look upon-for his leather
clothes are glossy and hard with the accu-
muiated filth OF many years; and his coun-
tenance-it is furrowed all over with deep
wrinkles, which 10 one could believe were
ever mostened by tear. lie is hard
visaged man-repulsive, and even terrible
to look upon. For fifteen. years have we
known this singular being, and seven then
he was so old, he seems no Older now
There are people in this city who have
been familiar with his form for upwards of
twenty years, and they affirm that he has
been paper scavenger during all that
time. At all times, when tie winds Of viii.
ter howlcd through the streets, and also
when the dog star reigns, does he pursue
his laboriou, and degrading employment.
And now that we have introduced our he
70 to the reader, it is meet that we should
mention what we know of his actual condi-
ton. He is miSer--a narrow minded and
mean miser, who can count his dollars by
tens of-thousandS. 1.-THE reader doubts my
word, let him, when next he meets the mis-
er:ble man in the public highway, ask lin
the time of day, and he will be promptly
answered on the authority of superb gold
watch, hidden in his filthy vc5tments. a
dry crust of bread and cast oflbonc cons.i.
tute his daily food, and yet this man carries
the deeds in his pocket, which prove lin
to be the proprietor of at least FIVE handsome
dwelling houses, located in a fashionable
: part OF the city; certificates OF banh-stocks
and other valuable papers are also hidden
in lis pockets. He is widower, but the
father of an only daughter, whom he has
established over a supcIlly iu,nish,t
house as the sole mistress and only tenant.
She has all she needs in the way of house.
hold things. and every luxury Of the season
and though her servants may prepare .
sumptuous feast, none participate with he,
in its enjoyment. Though il would ada It
her happiness on such occasions 10 rail- il 6
neighboIing friend, yet the privilege Of Civ
ing an invitation is denied by her father, III
the most positive and.impcrativc manner.
In the rear Of this daughters dwellings, To-
Gated n rickcty shell of cabin, resembling
more the appearance of sly than q human
habitation, and this is the only dwclling'place
of our mser. And now he spends the pre-.
ciors hours of his leisure life, counting his
geld and examining the signatures of his
deeds by the light which rests on his oal,cn
table, and seldom is extinguished until a;tel
the hour of midnight; and when exhausted
with his strange vigils, carefully does he
fasten, with heavy iron bolts, the door OF
his den and sinks to sleep upon his bed Of
rags.