Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-08-01

fever. He sent Tor the surgeon, telling him
he wanted to be bled. As the surgeon
charged half livre, which was considered
too much, barber was called in, who
agreed to open vein for threepence.
" But, friend" said the cautious miser,
how often will it be requisite to bleed
me-" Three times 'And pray, what
quantity of blood do you intend to take
from me at each operation ," about
eight ounces each time" THAT will be
ninepence too much too much | know
a cheaper way take the whole twenty
four ounces at once, and that will save me
sixpence." He saved his sixpence but lost
his life.
PECULIAR METHOD.
Sir William Smith, of Bedfordshire, a
wealthy miser, agreed TO give 60 guineas if
DIR. Taylor, a celebrated oculist, restored
him to sight. The doctor succeeded so
well that Sir William was able to read and
write all the rest of his life without spec
tacles. But he pretended at the time of
his cure that he only had glimmering OF
his surroundings, and on that account sue
ceeded in getting the fee reduced to f2O,
one third of the original price.
A st. Petersburg miser, who lived in the
time OF Catherine II, resorted to peculiar
method to save little money. He had a
large mastiff dog to watch his house, and
had trained him to bark and howl all
night. Finally, the dog died. Not caring
to 60 to the expense OF purchasing another,
the old man personated dog himself, and
went about the house morning and evening
barking and bowling in imitation of his
former protector This man lived in one
dark room, in large, dilapidated old
house, and we are told that his cellar con-
tanned casks of gold and packages of silver.
He was the richest man in Russia.
In striking contrast to the mean charac-
teristics which seem to come natural to
the lniser, there are two anecdotes that
have been handed down to us of the be.
nevolence OF extremely avaricious men
Some years ago there lived in Marseilles,
France, a mlser named Guyot. He was
noted for his parsimony, had always lived
in the city, was hated by grown persons
and stoned by the boys. He died very
wealthy. His will read as follows ''Hav-
ing observed from my infancy that the
water, which can only be. procured at a
great price, have cheerfully labored the
whole of my life to procure for them this
great blessing, and | direct that the whole
of my property shall be expended in build
ing an aqueduct for their use. .
CARE OF SMALL THINGS.
Some years ago it was proposed to build
Bethlehem Hospital. London, and con-
tributions were requested from the rich as
we'll as the poor. A collectorin dirty part
of the city heard man scolding his servant
for throwing away match, only one end
of which had been lighted. When the col
lector went in and asked for contribution
he did not expect much success, and was
agreeably surprised to receive check for
400 guineas. He then told the old man OF
his thoughts, who replied Your sur
prise at receiving this sum is occasioned
by my care of a thing of such
little consequence but l keep my house
and save my money in my own way. My
parsiInony enables me to bestow more lib.
orally on charity. With regard to benev-
olent donations, you may always expect
most from prudent people who keep their
own accounts and who pay attention to
trifes."
Dean Swift was once invited by great
miser to dine at his house with a large
party. The famous satirist being requested
to give grace, said
" Thanks for this miracle this is no less
Than to eat mama in the wilderness
Where raging hunger reign'd we've found relief,
And seen that wondrous thing, piece Of beef.
Here chimneys smoke, that never smoked before,
And we've all ate, where we shall eat no more"