The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-07-07
THE RAG.PICKER's LEGACY.
BY PAUL PLUME.


iD the year IS, man was accus-
toned TO wander about the streets OF
B--,pieking up scraps of iron
and pieces Of rope, which he placed
in bag that be carried slung arcoss
his shoulders. He was native Of
Portugal, and his name was Jose
Bimbre. The man was supposed to
be ve5y poor, and the wretcbed little
frame dwelling that be inhabited at
the western suburbs of the city, was
50 gloomy and uninviting, that the
children from the neighboring school
always passed on the other side Of
the street, and never could be in
duced to peep in at the door
The place had been the scene Of a
tragedy. Some lawless characters
once had drunken orgie there, and
during a quarrel one of there number
was murdered. FoC years the house
stood tenantless, and it was not un-
til Jose Rimbre rented it, that the
bats and rats were driven from its
walls.
Rimbre lived alone, and as he ap-
peared to have no friends, the house
was seldom visited, save by the po-
lice, who occasionally looked in as
they passed by, and spoke a good
word to the solitary inhabitant.
He was never under suspicion from
the authorities, for be was very inof.
fensive, and known to be extremely
poor All day long he would prowl
about the streets with his bag and
hook but when the the shades Of
evening fell, he would hasten to bis
home, and closing his door, be seen nc
more.
The neighbors who had o3strsed
bis habits, were one day surprised to
see Jose enter his house at noon.
Never before had the old man re
turned so soon Some few Of the
people mentioned the fact to others
but us the circumstances were ex-
tremely trivial, the matter was al
most instantly dismissed from theiI
minds Could tbey have peepe6 into
the cherries room where Jose seated
himself, they would perhaps have
held their breath in astonishment al
the sight that would have awaited
them. Seated upon the floor was the
old man, with a heap of gold pieces
between his legs, ald be was careful
ly counting them as be placed them il
bag.
Jose Rimbre had done good day.
work in the few hours he had spenr
at his avocation that morning. Will,
ne was poking at a pile of ashes and
garbage, be turned up something
with a hook that gave a peculiar
rafting sound, and the old fellow i'm
mediately began an investigation
The result was bag of gold. When
and by whom it was deposited there
he never took the pains to inquire, OF
bad the curiosity to discover. Into
his bag be placed the treasure, and
then be FASTENED to his home.
Late that night, by the aid Of a
dim candle, he dug a hole in the eel
lar, and, placing a large tin kettle in
it, he concealed his bag of gold there,
and then filed up the earth again.
Alter that Jose did not remain from
his home so long as had been his
wont. His style ofliYing, however.
never changed; he was still poor and
wretched, and the Goals be burned in
his little stove were picked from
.he deposits made in the lanes and
by streets.
The man who owned the shantv
where Rimbrc lived was reputed to
be quite well OF and had a great deal
Of property, consisting of small
houses, which every few years actu-
ally paid for themselves in rents. The
landlords name was Martin Joyner,
and the poor held him in terror when
be came to collect his rents, and they
happened to be little short. Jose
Rimbre was one Of the best tenants.
He had never been day behind with
his rent, and Martin Joyner was
pleased, or feigned TO be pleased.
whenever be visited Rimbre or met
him urnD tho etraatS
10 Dis early days Joyner had been
q hard-working man, but Of late wears
be had, discovered a way of making
money without toll, and ever since he
had been practicing it. He had an
only son, young man Of eighteen
years, who had engaged as a clerk in
q mercantile house, and bade fair to
become a useful and prosperous man.
WoOdley Joyner had never known
the influence of a mothers love. She
who bore him died when he vet was
an infant. A sour-tempered maiden
aunt came 10 live with his father, but
SO fercely did Martin and bis sister
in-law quarrel, that, when Woodiey
was FIVE years old, his aunt departed
from the house in a passion and never
returned to it; so the child was left TO
the tender guidance of the father,
whose nature was coarse, and habits
rude.
Despite all these disadvantages.
Woodley grew up a gentle and man
Iy boy, and when he was fourteen
years Of age, he attracted the atten-
lion of Mr.. YardIey, merchant, who
took him into bis employ, and gave
him opportunities to acquire an edu-
cation. There was no congeniality
between father and son; there could
be none, for their natures were Sc
dissimilar. Woodley visited bis faith.
er but rarely, and whenever be did SC
he came away with unpleasant recol