The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-11-01

*
THIS WINDOW Is NEVER SHUT.
This farmhouse is more attractive than the
other farm buildings. not because it is any less
dilapidated but because Of the curious way
in which it has been built. One may plainly
see that it was at first n small story and q half
affair. unsightly. cheap. hastily built for the
accommodation Of poor farmer. And. II one
did not know the truth. tho present size Of the
building would DO attributed to the gradual
increase in the farmers family. A curious
looking wing was first added to one side, then
another wing. which in some way fails to har-
monize with the first addition to the original
house, was added on the other side. In front
was built a porch. wide. ugly. and not inviting.
although from it a wide range Of the rolling
fields and orchards and woods may be taken.
Finally the house was increased by putting q
little porch on the side facing the Sound. and
N kitchen and perhaps n dining room one
story high. Looking at this house. at the
nrray Of red flannel for male md female uu-
derwear blazing from wash lines In tho front
yard. at the general air of sloth in the gardens.
one would say: Here lives n farmer Of mod
crate means who hns had largo family which
has grown up and left him. He is old. he is no
longer able to work much. and his hired men
do about Us they please"
One could hardly be wider OF the mark
than this. The tenant OF the gray old house Is
not a farmer. Flo never had family. il two
nieces and a wife. who died many years ago.
was excepted. He is not the man to let those
within reach OF him do as they plcuse. They all
Lo exactly as he pleases and. by tho way. he
-:;ieases good deal. He is not only not Of
moderate means. but Is rich. would be counted
rich even in New York. This is the residence
Of Thomas &. Hodgklns. once a merchant Of
HnNv vnrL c,fv 1T,t mn hormif ~ Old EiaI5c
near Setauket. l. l.
Tiiomas q, Hodgkins was born in England
Fla and 5 lis se he
came to this country 7? try to make great the
manuiactnrirs candy in q snail way. but Ut was
a ba Wa s MS 70
cept the two .shiIircn ot. his widowed sister.
Mrs. Clark. When she died no took the little
up us Ills own children. At the beginning Of
the civil war he had accumulated n great for
tory in Greenweh street STR invested the money
in ways which hava since most fiatteringy APP
proved his Judgment. and went down to Sc
:, Although IN many WAYS he got away from
the traditions Of that humble class of English
detained IL distaste for luxury. whether in
houses. furnishings. dress. or society. Wealth
gave him no desire to better his outward sur
It is said that his close attention to business.
and his unfsmia1ty WV With G~I His VIZ fsaW Sengs
IND leisure ~ and would naturally have sought
Setauket by isoariine witt! a farmer living on
the edge 81 tho village He soon Ha bought this
moved in with the two i ttic tic girls. oA'' 'n0
with The Village D people, tho girls !i grew % ap
they were educated. but us soon as Mr.. Hodg-
, ktus thought they had learning enough they
returned u th0 lpnnIy formhpuso FINALLY
proyal q Iar ,ancle Whop sGY found herself
sag Haroor. The, other niece. Emma. stayed
S nsS 81 n4 sS had tan
tntion to marry. although she was attractive
Bic devoted herself to her Uncle uncle. and as her
ReT to her SHE sst ae o.
slender; not very, strong, gin. with good deal
Since the, death OF Emma. Clark the, old man
ms liyed alone unless farm hand and his
in the house and look after tho work of house
and farinyard. 10 counted as company. No
has % Of i. mo
siderable sum to look after him until death
shall PVT him lin in the ground beside his niece
moss. yet not Wit bout certain amount Of sat
from tho sonsoiations Of rsigioh; H. "A' Ola"A
nj From what has been said it will be seen that
Thomas Hodgkins. n rich man.. retiring In
middle life from most busy ifo. has liter
ally retired from tho world. and has for nearly
thirty years led n hermit life Although this
time has been spent in comparative loneliness
% far as human society Is concerned. 1t has
been far. from lonely in another way, This
gum drops became q bookworm.
Tho bent Of his mind was toward the getting
OF scientific knowledge; IN these thirty years
he has read nearly ~ that has been written on
lated what he has read through the power OF
mind az rare acutcpess. Human beings have
Interested him but little Those few who have
6Sn f. him m IN IN
science. He has become slave to the getting
Of scientific knowledge ,o 900
This explains his recent Gift OF 100000 to
tho smithsonian Institution for tho increase
which amazed his ncighbors. Tor they had no
idea that tho man of simple life was anything
more than pretty we'll to do.
retire na from Sseh tes s Mth thee fellow
beings to become cross and Grabbed. narrow
and ungenerous. The exact reverse OF this is
true In the case OF Thomas Hodgkins. While
frequently shows in frank and most disagree,
able ways that he is out OF the world. he Is yet
sensitive, about hurting any ones feelings.
careful that NO animal belonging to him or
IN bis sight suffers pain generous
The produce of his farm u far beyond what
he needs. He soils none of the surplus. but
Horses, COWS and stock of various kinds. He
will give So or $40 to tho messengers who
bring packages or letters to his house. He
wants no thanks and asks no favors In return.
In speech he is slow. OF few words, and those
ahruntlv 10 the nOint In manner he is when