Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1854-07-11

"Khoderlck," the Baltimore CORES.
pondsnt Of the Washington Stsr. gives
lihs following account Of . vsiy sinsulsr
psraonsge:
"Thsfs resides In Bsl,imors County.
not for from our city, . very Singular
and extraordinary psYsonsge, who thus
far hes psaasd through life unob,rusive.
ly. His history Jet remains 10 bs writ.
ten, end few. if sny there 10 thst could
DO Il justice. He has lived the life sl.
most Of . hermit, seldom sppesring out.
side tho walls Of his hsrmilsge. except
when special occasion require. There
Is marked singulsrity in his dress.
general appearances and manner. Tho
upon the turning point Of fifty. he had
remsined a bachelor. Humble in his
proiession-beins simply . repsirer ol
clocks-hs 10 proud. and looks down
upon those ofhish rank and wealth with
q degree Of contempt. He is lord OF his
own castle, and inhsbi,s 1t solus-has
no friend, no companions, and wants
mono. He eschews women. considsrin ne
them . useless expense. and a source ol
mul,ifsr rious vexs,ion. Wealth to his
philosophy is on absorbing evil. and
money in any shape, except 80 fer a. il
contributes to hishs enioyments. mere
dross.
"This singular person has existed in
the same hut. same locslity. for many
years, and still his nearest neigbbors
know him not. He spends only so much
Of his time at physical labor (mendlns
clocks) as will procure a plain, scanty
living, and obtain other requisites 10
mental enjoyment. He visits Baltimore
about twelve times year on foot, and
then so arranging in point Of time, that
his entrance and exit are made in the
night. His passion is books end men,
tai culture. Though in seeming power
y. he has we'll selected library Of sew.
eral hundreds volumes, containing all
tho classics, besides other works. His
visits 10 Baltimore are generally OF q
literary character, always taking home
books Of a rare quality.
ITO see him, The beholdcr would sup.
pose he belonged 10 the ignorant, inlet
tered division Of human nature. In this,
however. the few who were fortunate e.
noush TO form his acquaintance. found
themselves mistaken. Contrary to all
expectations, h. proved a scholar Of su.
perior finish, versed in tho classics thor.
oughly, and msster Of Latin. Greek,
French, German, Italian, Spanish, He
brew, and many other languages, all ac'
quired without a tutor. He is also IA.
miliar with the various sciences. accom-.
plished in manner, address, &c. He
converses freely, Auently, and sensibly,
upon the most sbstruse and complicat.
cd subjects; is we'll posted in politics,
and knows the history Of the past and
current events accurately. He delights
! particularly in oriental literature. and
possesses fund Of information relating
thereto. He processes alliance with no
gion and yet observes code Of scru.
pulous morality.
His best costume is extremely anti
grated. parts Of it having been in use
probe bly, twenty years, and altogether. j
put up at auction, would not command
ten dimes. The casual observer would
suppose him poor mendicant, and feel
inclined to extend tho hand Of charity
yet he is surmi.ed to be comfortable in
the worlds lore, and proves himself en-
visbly rich in all tha: spper.ains TO 9
refined and highly cultivated intellect
His name l do not feel at liberty te
mention at present. l have given yol
the outlines Of a reality, which. up to
this period. has probably never beer
thought Of beyond tho ordinary routine
Of life. The Learned Blacksmith Jchr
McDonoush. Pete. the Hermit. ant
Stephen Girard, we're not more peculiar
than tho hero Of this brief epis.le.
"Within the past year no has master
cd the sr,s Of stenogrsphy and phonogra
ply, and reads and writes them with
ease"