Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-04-12
THE GAZETTE.
MANEHI0Fl ASMASslNG.
TUESDAY MeKN1NG, APRIL IL. iss


There died at Paris, in the year 1899, (says
the author of the charming work, !sdtad. FOR
the Social, J literally Of want, the well known
banker: Osteryald.S Anew days prior to his
death he resisted the opportunities OF his at
tendant to purchase soule- meat, for the pur-
pose of maklnga little. soup tor him. True,
I should like the soup" ne said, "but have
no appetite for the meat: what rs 20 become
of that: twill be sad waste" This poor
wretch died worth fl25, 900 sterling
Another desperate case was that OF Elves.
whose diet and dress were alike Of the most
revolving kind, and whose property was es-
tmated at SSyW,tUO. Daniel Dancer miser-
ly prOpensities were INDUCED to such de-
gree that on one occasion, when at the ur-
gent solicitation: Of friend. he ventured to
give shilling to Jew for an old hat, bet
ter az new" to the establishment ofthe friend,
the next day he actually retailed it for eigh-
teen pence. He performed his ablutions at
neighboring pool, drying himself in the
sun, to save the extravagant indulgence ot
a towel; yet, this poor mendicant had pro-
perty to the. extent Vi upwards OF $1,000 per
annum. - 10, (" s
The well known Nat Bently, (ahas Dirty
Dick of London. was the victim not only
of craving for gold, but for old IRON
Another deplorable case might be cited, that
of Tom Pitt, of Warwickshire. 1t is repor-
ted that some weeks prior to the sickness
which terminated his despicable career, he
went to several undertakers in quest of a
cheap cofin.a He left behind him G., AS in
public funds. Another instance is that Of
the notorious Thomas Cook Or his physi-
clan intimating the possibility Of his not
existing more than five or six days, he proteS-
ted against the useless expense of medi
cine and charged the doctor never to show
his face to him again. His property was esti-
mated at about tl30, 900.
Sir William Smyth, of BedfOrdshre, was
immensely rich, but most parsimonious, and
misery in his habits. AT seventy years Vt
age he was entirely deprived Of his sight,
unable to gloat over his boarded heaps Of
gold. lie was persuaded by Taylor, the
celebrated occulist. to be cpuched-who was,
by agreement. to have sixty guineas IT he
restored his patient to any degree of sight
TAYLOR succeeded in his operation, and Sir
William, was enabled to read and write with
out the aid Of speetacles during the rest of
his life. But no sooner, was his sight res
tored than the baronet began to regret that
his agreement had been for 40 large sum.
His thoughts were now how to cheat the
occulist He pretended that he had onlya
gimmering, and could see nothing distinctly:
for which reason the bandage on his eyes was
continued month longer than the usual
time. Taylor was deceived by these misre-
presentations, and agreed to compound the
bargain. and accept twenty guineas in
stead of sixty At the time Taylor attend
ed him he had large estate an Immense
sum of money in thestocks. and f6,O00n the
house.
A miser of the name Of Foscue, who had
amassed enormous wealth by the most sordid
parsimony and discreditable extortion. appl.
ed his ingenuity to discover some efectual
way of hiding his gold. With great care
and secresy he dug cave in his cellar. To
this receptacle for his treasure, he descended
by trap-door; he attached a spring lock. 80
that on shutting, it would fasten OF itself
By and by the miser disappeared; inquiries
were made; the house was searched; woods
were explored. and the ponds were dragged;
but no Fuscue could they find. Some time
passed on. The house where he lived was
sold, and workmen were busily employ
ed in its repair. Iu the progress Of their work
they metwith the door Of the secret cave, with
the KEY in the lock outside. They threw
back the door, and descended with light.
The first object upon which the lamp reflect
ed was the CHASTITY body Of Foscue. the mis-
or, and scattered around him were heavy
bags of gold. and ponderous chests OF untold
treasure; candle-stick lay beside him on
tho HoOr ...