Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-09-10

SOMETHING | saw exhibited in the win
dow attracted my attention and induced
me to enter the shop OF Aessrs. Rekiam
Brothers. II was certainly not the ticket
inscribed aFirsi floor TO let unfinished;
il was rather, il remember rightly. a
delicate little taxa of genuine Venetian
glass. curiously designed, and rich in
daintyopaiine fints and reflections. Twas,
In an humble way and for my own gratifi-
cation, simply collector of trihes of that
kind. The Messrs. Reklam were German
Jews--or Polish, I'm not sure which
dealing in old pictures, curiosities. ar
ticles of vertu and antiquities. Their
house was situated in dull street in the
Soho district Fashion and gentility had,
no doubt, in times passed made their
home there; they had long since van
ished. however, leaving in their stead a
sort Of dingy responsibility and an air OF
trade of rather torpid character.
Shops and private houses were much IN
termingled, but there were few evidences
Of business being very actively carried
on. The street could not boast much
traffic, for, although thoroughfare, IL
led to nowhere in particular and offered
small advantages as shortcut. 1t was
bounded on the north by Oxford street
and on the south by an intricate tanglc
OF courts and alleys. The houses were
of a substantial, spacious, old-fashioned
class with rather dimly-lit rooms.
The contents Of the shop almost defy
enumeration. They were such, however,
as are usually to be found In the posses
sion of traders in curiosities, had been
collected from all parts OF the globe, and
pertained TO every period with the ex-
ception, perhaps, Of the present. There
were weapons and armor OF course In
great abundance, with carvings OF wood
and ivory, paintings and enamels, china
and glass, gems, coins, embroideries,
lace, antique furniture, feathers, idols,
stuffed animals, skins, m0nstrosities OF
all kinds and other multitudinous OBJ.
jects. | was impressed by the extent
and value Of the collection. 1T filled the
shop quite to its remote corners, leaving
only little patch Of vacancy in the
center Of the floor. Even the ceiling was
crowded and outrageous with precious
thngs-among them pendent lamps OF
every device, and chandeliers that were
perfect thickets Of crystal.
Mr.. Aaron Reklam, with whom first
became acquainted, was by no means the
picturesque 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 parch-
ment nor was his face followed and
dinted by the hand of time. He was
simply dressed and had the air of Lon
don tradcsman Of reputable position. In
answer to my inquiries i was waited ny
him to the upper floors OF the house.
The two drawing-rooms were altogether
empty: lofty, walnscoted chambers with
heavy cornices and richly -molded cell.
ings. They led TO a third room, long and
narrow, looking on the leads and sky
light Of the back shop below and boast.
ing side.vicw OF small garden beyond,
in which languished a plane tree and
some lilac bushes of rather wan and
sickly appearance. In the rooms above
i was given TO understand the Brothers
Reklam resided, still among stores Of
treasures similar TO those crowding the
shop below.
Aaron Reklam did not quit me until !
had pledged myself to become the ten
ant 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 notice to quit the lodg-
ings had occupied during some years.
new street might be constructed, or
some other metropolitan improvement of
that nature carried into effect. For this
purpose an act Of Parliament had been
obtained, and all due forms observed.
And ] was in a sluggishsort of way--for
there was no special need for haste; had
still some weeks before me--iooking out
for lodgings. Still, AZ | have said, l en-
gagged to be the occupant of the apart
ments.
Next day rcpenting of the bargain, !
entered 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
impossible; besides, | saw that the rooms
had their advantages. In short, / took
possession Of them, trusting to have some
degree of comfort. After day or two's
experience had nothing to complain of
which pervaded the dwelling One or
other OF the brothers was often hanging
about, rs If listening or making observa
tons; and occasionally there were loud
and unpleasant quarrels I'm an unknown
tongue, which, for anything knew, might
be Hebrew or Polish.
They were certainly strange people
had got among. At times / meditatcd
running away; but such step would
have involved forfeiture of all my goods
/ therefore held on. Some months had
passed in this fashion; there had been
no change in the situation of affairs, and
/ had added little to my stock Of OBJ
scryations concerning the Brothers REX.
lam, their proceedings and way of life,
except i'm this respect: had not failed
to note that all their collection of treas
ures, notwithstanding their business, was
almost altogether at stand-still. They
were tradesmen apparently possessed of
an abundance of wares, but they really
traded in nothing. No customers ever
entered the shop; or If they did IT was
only to quit IL again rapidly without any
sale or purchase having been effected.
Sometimes, indeed, the shutters re-
manned closed for days together.
Another thing remarked, too, was the
late hours they kept. They were sell
dom absent from the house, and they
never, 80 far as / could ascertain, re-
ceivcd any visitors. Yet they seemed to
be moved by an extreme repugnance to
retire to rest. At all times Of the night
/ could hear them stirring In the house,