The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-05-29
An Old Hoarder.

than he knows now."-N Y. Sun.
An Old Hoarder.
If Goldsmith had made tour through
the village of New England, fifty Oh
sixty years ago, he would have found
more subjects for his delicate humol
han greeted him in
Sweet Auburn. loveliest village of the plain.
\ writer, indulging in "reminiscences OF
his bOyhOod. passed in a village of the
Say State, sketches an s'original,"
whom he knew as the most fascinating
d men and the most penurious OF
Aoarders.
''Old Storer," as he was called, used
to dress in a snuff-brown coat, a white,
indented hat, patched breeches and
thrice-darned hose. Ignorant of the
forms of life, he was never abashed,
and showed an address that a cultured
gentleman might have envied.
He had but one ambition-tO hoard
money. Only one occupation interested
hlm--the search for new sources of
wealth. These made him steady in
action and gave unity to his life.
In early life he worked on the large
farm of a rich widow, many years his
senior. He determined to obtain those
broad acres and, therefore, courted the
widow. She listened to his honeyed
words, and became susceptible to his
soft, graceful address.
Now and then, during the progress
of the courtship, doubts of the sincerity
of the young mans love would obtrude
themselves. One evening, while they
were walking in the fields, she limited
her suspicious that the attachment was
not wholly disinterested.
Tell me truly, do you really love
me9 l fear you don't"
Not love you, my dearm replied
Storer. suddenly inspired with truth,
L love the very ground you tread uponr'
In few weeks Storer's art gratiGed
his ambition. He received the widows
hand and her lands. Not long after
the marriage Storer began talking of
1.-The live stock that saddled the estate"
and wished that he could get rid of his
wife.
He once sent her to church on race
horse, rightly anticipating that she
would be thrown. Contrary to his ex-
pectations, however, she was not killed.
In his old age, Storer would now and
then break out into freak of liberality
He gave clock to the town. That
gift was the theme of his self-gratula-
ton.
Frequently when he saw stranger
passing the steeple in which it was
placed, he would stop him, with the in
quiry:
Can you tell me. sir, what is the
purport of that inscription ON yonder
clock"
presented to the town by Joseph
StOrer, ESD replied the stranger,
reading the inscription.
"Ah, yes! yesr the old man would re-
ply, chuckling to himself. Il remem-
Der now. Muniiicent donation that,
sir! Great public benefactor, that
Squire Storern'
''Who is he, sir?''
esquire Storer? Why, a gentleman
living hear by, sir. A man of great
wealth, sir. Munificent donation that, /
SIR
And the old man would 90 off, happy
in the thought that another stranger
had heard of his generosity.
As he had no children and dislked
his relatives, the suggestion was made
TO him that the medical college in the
.Own would be an appropriate legatee.
He approved the suggestion, and often
ntimated that he would make his will
n favor of the college.
He was taken sick. His physician.
seeing that it was the old man last i'll
hess, urged him to make his will. But
he could not endure the thought of let
ing 90 his grasp upon the gold he
lad boarded. !.
Tell me" he said. the day before he
lied, ''when you think l am going to
lie. and wc DiH 1Orite faSt"
He died without will, and his hated
eiatives inherited all the property
EOHth'S Communion