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

inscribed First floor to let unfinished; :
1t was rather, II / remember rightly, q
delicate little tazza of genuine Venetian
glass, curiously designed, and rich In
dainty opaline tints and reflections. Twas
in an humble way and for my own gratifi
cation, simply collector Of trifes of thai
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 gcntility had
no doubt, in times passed made their
home there; they had long since van.
ishcd, however, leaving in their stead q
sort Of dingy responsibility and an air OF
trade Of rather a torpid character
Shops and private houses were much in
terminglcd, but there were few evidences
OF business being very actively carried
on. The street could not boast much
traffic, for, although thoroughfare, II
led to nowhere in particular and offered
small advantages as shortcut. IL was
bounded on the north by Oxford street
and on the south by an intricate tangle
OF courts and alleys. The houses were
Of a substantial, spacious, old-fashioned
class with rather dimly-lit rooms.
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
pcrtained 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
nl commentaries
lace, antique furniture, feathers, idols,
stuffed animals, skins, monstrositics OF
all kinds and other multtudinous OBJ
jects was impressed by the extent
and value Of the collection. 1t filed 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
things-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 tin
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-
mcnt nor was his face followed and
dintcd by the hand Of time. He was
simply dressed and had the air of a Lon
don tradesman Of reputable 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, wainscoted chambers with
heavy cornices and richly cell
ings. They led to third room, long and
narrow, looking on the leads and sky
light of the back shop below and boast
ing sidc-view Of small garden beyond,
in which languished plane tree and
some lilac bushes of rather wan and
sickly appearance. In the rooms above
/ was given 10 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 l was at
the time under notice TO quit the lodg-
tngs / had occupied during some years
The house was to be pulled down, so that
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 sluggishsort OF way--for
there was no special need for haste; Ihad
still some weeks before me--looking out
for lodgings. Still, as have said, en-
gagged to be the occupant OF the apart
ments.
Next day, repenting 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, j took
possession of them, trusting TO have some
degree Of comfort. After day or two's
experience had nothing to complain of
but certain degree of righteousness
which pervaded the dwelling. One or
other of the brothers was often hanging
about, as If listening or making observa-
tions and occasionally there were loud
and unpleasant quarrels In an unknown
tongue, which, for anything knew, might
be Hebrew or Polish.
They were certainly strange people |
had got among. At times i meditated
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.
servations concerning the Brothers REX.
lam, their proceedings and way of life,
except in 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 1t was
only to quit 1t 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, so far as ! could ascertain, re-
ccived 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,
restless in the shop, or passing up and
down the staircase, or pacing to and fro
the floors above me. Their movements
were generally Of stealthy kind, as
though they were seeking to make as