Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-12-22

~~S~~A@ SOAA0~A~@A~AS@1
An old Dutehman named Shumm, who
lived in one Of the wretched novels that stand
in the rear Of Sheriff street, and whose appa-
rent poverty and manifest sufferings from
dreadful case of hernia had long excited the
sympathy of his humane neighbors, died of
asthma and a complication of other diseases.
He was well known to be Of very obstinate
and eccentric disposition and, although he
had been confined to his bed some weeks, he
not only rejected all medical aid, but persisted
to the last in his singular habit of sleeping in
the whole Of his wardrobe, which consisted
chiefly of pair Of breeches that at some re-
mote era had been constructed of blue velvet,
sailors jacket, and frieze overcoat all of
which exhibited accumulated proofs of the old
mans attachment. He sentfor Mr.. Van Duer-
son, respectable countryman Of his, resid-
ing in the neighborhood, who had given him
charitable relief, and privately requested him
to make his will. To this gentleman's great
surprise, he bequeathed various sums Of
money, amounting altogether to $4,000, 10
children and grandchildren residing at New
ark and Albany; and confdentially informing
him where his property was deposited. He
then narrated to Mr. Van Duerson the follow
ing remarkable facts in his history aa
He stated, that about twenty-five years ago
he was porter to mercantile house in Ham
burg, and having been long in its employ, was
frequently entrusted with considerable sums Of
money for conveyance to other establishments.
In an hour of evil influence he was induced to
violate his trust, and abscond to this country
with large sum. Having arrived, he inVes-
ted the greater part of it in the purchase Of
two houses, which adjoined each other, and
which, before he had effected an insurance on
them, were burnt to the ground. Considering
this Judgment of heaven upon his dishones-
ty, he determined to devote the remainder Of
his life to severe course of industry and par
simony, with the single object in view OF max
ing full restitution to the persons whom he
had injured, or their descendants.
He adopted another name, and, with the
means he had left, commenced business in this
city as tobacconist and, although his trade
was a retail one, and he had suffered heavy
loss from fire, he had succeeded five years
since in acquiring sufficient property to ac-
complish his just and elevated purpose
He then, accordingly, sold his stock in trade,
and was preparing to transmit the necessary
amount to Hamburg, where the mercantile
firm he had defrauded still continues, when he
ascertained that it had a branch establishment,
or agency counting-house at Philadelphia,
whittier he went, and paid the sum Of $l4 900
being equivalent to the original sum he had
| embezzled, with certain rate of interest
The latter, however, was generously returned
to him by son Of one Of the partners, and
this, together with some surplus money, he
has bequeathed as above stated.
A. For the last fve years he has lived in utter
obscurity, and in severe accordance with his
long formed habits of parsimony. His execu-
tor, Mr.. Van Duerson, found the above named
sum Of $500, principally in doubloons, curl
ously concealed in certain private depart
ment of the tenacious breeches before speci-
fed and it was ascertained that the old man 3
dreadful case Of hernia was case of some
thing far less Objectionable. The remainder
of his money was found under the patches Of
his jacket, with the exception Of small sum
in shillings and sixpences discovered in an old
snuff jar, which seems to have been the depos-
itory of his current funds. s.-Al6dny paper.