The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-09-05

From the Gamblers Journal
lselxiaIM Brothers.

lsekiam Brothers,
Something | saw exhibited in the window
attracted my attention, and induced me to
enter the shop of Messrs. Reklam Brothers
1t was certainly not the ticket inscribed
first floor to let furnished" it was rather,
remember rightly, a delicate little taxa of
genuine Venetian glass. curiously designed,
and rich in dainty opalinc tints and rehec-
lions. was in Il humble way, and for my
own qualification sinip'y, collector of
irilltS of that kind The Messrs. Reklam
were German Jews-or Polish. I'm not sure
withdrawing in old pictures curosities
articles of virtue, and antiquities. Their
house was situated in a dull street in the
Soho dlstric'. Fashion and gentility had,
no doubt, in times past made their homes
there; they had long since vanished, how
ever, leaving in their stead a sort of lingy
responsibility, and an air Of trade of rather
torpid character, Shops and private
houses were much intermingled. but there
we're few evidences of business being very
actively carried on. The street could not
boast much traffic. for although thorough
fare, it tended to nowhere IN part.c liar. and
offered small advantages as a short cut. 1t
was bounded on the north by Oxford street,
and on the south by an intricate tangle of
courts and alleys. The Louses were of n
substantial, spacious, old fashioned class
with rather dimly lit rooms.
The contents of the shop almost defy emu
meration. They were SUCH however, as
are usually to be found in the possession of
traders in curiosities, had beenscollected
from all parts of the globe, and pertained
TO every period, with the exception, perhaps,
of the present There were weapons and
M in mt nh ,,;, ..
carvings in wood and ivory, paintings and
enamels, china and glass, gems, coins EN-
broideries, lace, antique furniture, feathers,
idols, stuffed animals, skins, monstrosities
of all kinds, and other muIttudinous oh
jects. l was impressed by the extent and
value of the collection. 1t filled the shop
quite to its remote corners, leaving only a
little patch of vacancy in the centre of the
floor. Even the ceiling was crowded and
outrageous with precious things--among
them, pendant lamps of every device, and
chandeliers that were perfect tickets of
crystal.
Mr.. Aaron Reklam, with whom first be-
came acquainted, was by no means the pic.
turesque Jew of fiction. He was not bent
with age; he wore no flowing beard or long
draperies; no velvet skull cap crowned
him; his skin was not Of parchment, nor
was his face followed and dinted by the
hand of time. He was simply dressed, and
had the air of a London tradesman of rcpu-
table position. In answer to my inquiries,
was waited by him to the upper floors of
the house. The two drawing rooms were
altogether empty; lofty, wainscoated cham
bers, with heavy cornices and richly mould
ed ceilings. They led to a third room, long
and narrow, looking on the leads and sky
liUht M tho harl cbnp holn,r a,J
side-view of a small garden beyond, in
which languished plane-tree and some
lilac bushes of rather wan and sckly ap
pearance. In the rooms above, was given
to understand, the Brothers Reklamresided,
still among stores of treasures similar to
those cIowding the shop below.
Aaron Reklam did not quit me until had
pledged myself to become the tenant of the
vacant first floor. What moved me to this
step do not even now clearly understand.
1t was true that was at the time under no.
tice to quit the lodgings | had occupied dur
ing some years. The house was to be pulled |
down, so that new street might be construct
ed, or some other metropolitan improve |
ment of that nature carried into effect. For |
this purpose an act of parliament had been |
obtained, and all due forms observed. And |
was in sluggish sort of way-for there |
was no special need for haste; had still |
some weeks before me-looking out for |
lodgings. Still, as have said, / engaged |
to be the occupant Of the apartments.
Next day, repenting of the bargain, en-
tered the shop again, resolved to excuse |
myself, and now, for the first time, saw |
Nathan, the elder brother, who received me |
with all politeness. To get off was impos- |
sible; besides, | saw that the rooms had |
their advantages, In short, took posses
sion of them. trusting to have some degree |
OF comfort, After a day or twos expert |
ence, l had nothing to complain of but a |
certain degree righteousness which per- |
vaded the dwelling. One or the other of |
the brothers was often hanging about, as if |
listening or making observations; and oc- |
casionally there were loud and unpleasant |
quarrels in an unknown tongue, which. for |
anything knew, might be Hebrew or Pol |
ish.
They were certainly strange people | |
had got amongst. AT times meditated run |
ming away; but such step would have in
volved forfeiture of all my goods. there
fore held on. Some months had passed in
this fashion; there had been no change in
the situation of affairs, and had added lit.
tie to my stock of observations concerning
the Brothers Reklam, their proceedings
anu why's VI hicj cACepl Ill TINS respect; | |
had not failed to note that all their collec.
ton of treasures, Notwithstanding their bu-
siness, was almost altogether at a stand
sill. They were tradesmen apparently
possessed of an abundance of wares, but
they really traded in nothing No custom
er ever entered the shop; if they did, it was
only to quit it again rapidly, without any
sale or purchase having been effected.
Sometimes, indeed, the shutters remained
closed for days together.
Another thing remarked, too, was the
late hours they kept. They were seldom
absent from the house, and they never, so
far as could ascertain, received any visi-
tors. Yet they seemed to be moved by
strange repugnance to retire to rest. Atall
times of the night could hear them stirring
in the house, restless in the shop, or passing
up and down the staircase, or pacing to and
'ro the floors above me. Their movements
we're generally of a stealthy kind, as though
hey were seeking to make as little noise as
possible it might be out of consideration
or my comfort. But now and then their
disposition to quarrel asserted itself.
The domestic arrangements were by no
means effective, but they answered my mod
rate wants. There was no regular servant
only a sort of chorwoman, who came in
he morning to prepare breakfast, and again
ppeared for short time at night. This
uited tolerably we'll, for / did not dine in
he house. Odd Jobs and errands were eX-