Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-06-04
MISC Il l. l. A N Y.
SKETCH OF A nlIsER.

John Overs was mlSer, hvlng IN the OLD
days when popery lourished, and irars a
bounded in England. Some Of his vices
and eccentricities have been chronicled in a
little tract of great rarity entitled "The True
History of the Life and Death ofJohn Overs
and of his daughter Mary, who caused the
church of ST. Mary Overs to be built. -
Butin giving the particulars of his life, we do
not vouch for their authenticity the tract
resembles too strongly chap book to bear
the marks ofhonest truth yet the anecdotes
are amusing, and the tradition of the miser's S
pretty daughter reads somewhat romantic.
John Overs was Southwark ferryman,
and he obtained, by paying an annual sum
to the city authorities, monopoly IN the
trade of conveying passengers across the
river. He soon grew rich, and became the
master of numerous servants and appren-
tees. From his first increase of wealth, he
put has money out to use on such profitable
terms, that he rapidly amassed fortune al
most equal to that Of the first nobleman in
the land yet, notwithstanding this speedy
accumulation Of wealth, in his habits, house
keeping, and expenses, he bore the appear
ance of the most abject poverty, and was so
eager after gain, that even in his old age.
and when his body had become weak by
unnecessary deprivations, he would labor
mcessantly, and allow himselfno rest or re-
pose. This most miserly wretch, it is said,
had daughter, remarkable both for her pi-
ETY. and beauty; the old man in spite Of his
parsimonious habits retained some affection
for his child, and bestowed upon her asome-
what liberal education.
Mary Overs had no sympathy with the
avarice and selfshncss of her parent she
grew up endowed with amiability, and with
a true maiden's heart to love. AS she ap-
proach womanhood, her dazzling charms at
tracted numerous suitors; but the miser re-
fused ell matrimonial offers, and even de-
clined to negotiate the matter on any terms,
although some of wealth and rank were will
ling to wed with the ferryman's daughter.
Mary was kept close prisoner, and forbid
den to beStow her smiles upon any of her
admirers, nor were any allowed to speak
with her; but love and nature will conquer
bolts and bars, as we'll as fear; and one of
her suffers took the opportunity, while the
miser was busy picking up his penny-lares,
to get admitted to her company. The first
interview pleased well another was grant
ed and arranged, which pleased still better;
and third ended in mutual plighting Of
their troths. During all these transactions
at home, the silly old ferryman was still busy
with his avocations not DIRE aiming but that
things were as secure on land as they were
on water.
John Overs was of a disposition SO wretch
ed and miserly, that he even begrudged his
servants their necessary food. He used to
buy black puddings, which were then sold
in London at Penny yard and whenev-
er he gave them their allowance, he used
to say, There, you hungry dogs, you will
undo me with eating" He would scarce
ly allow neighbor to obtain light from
his candle, lest he should in some way i'm
poyerish him by taking some of its light
He used to go 80 market to search for bar
gains: he bought the siftings ofthe coarsest
meal, looked out eagerly for marrow-bones
that could be purchased for trile, and
scrupled not to convert them into SOUP if
they were mouldy. He bought the stalest
bread, and used TO cut it into slices, ethal,
taking the air, 1t might become the harder to
be eaten" Sometimes he wouldbuy meat so
tainted, that even his dog Would refuse it :;
upon which occasions, he used to say that
it was dainty cur, and better fed than
taught, and then eat it himself. He need
ed no cats, for all the rats and mice volun-
tarily left the house, as nothing was cast a.
side from which they could obtain pick
ing.
1t is said that this sordid old man resort
ed one day to most singular stratagem, for
the purpose OF saving days provision
in his establishment. He counterfeited ill.,
ness, and pretended to die; he compelled
his daughter to assist in the deception, much
against her inclination. Overs imagined
that, like good Catholics, his servants would
not be so unnatural as to partake of food
while he was above ground, but would Ia