The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-04-14
SKELETON BURGLAR ALARMS.
Strange Means q Russian Miser Took to
Protect His Property.

A writer In Russian periodical supplies
some interesting details regarding the
mode of life of an eccentric member of the
medical profession whose appearance was
well known in the streets of st. Petersburg
some half a century since Having in the
course of somewhat heightened career
succeeded in amassing a considerable for
tune, tho physician in question, whose
name Is not given, decided on retiring
from practice in order to pass the remain
der of his days with dignity in the enjoy
ment of leisure. 1t happened, however,
that his brain, so long accustomed TO ac-
tive exercise, proved unable TO withstand
the enervating effects of idleness. While
the stimulus afforded by his daily minis
trations to his sick and suffering towns
people continued in operation his faculties
remained unclouded, but no sooner was
this withdrawn than ut once symptoms of
mental deterioration began to show them
selves.
Being destitute of family ties, he lived
entirely alone, save for an antiquated
crone, who was nominally his cook, al
though apparently she had but little where
upon TO exercise her culinary talents. In
addition TO avarice, the chief form Of de-
rangement with which the old gentleman
was afflicted was dread of robbery. For
merly conspicuous for his gayety, he now
became morose and suspicious to the last
degree, fearing to leave his treasure for u
moment and unable either to sleep or to
eat. According to the ancient dame, he
would assurtdly have put an end to his
misery by hanging If he could only have
prevailed ON himself to go to the expense
of a rope.
The means this aged monomaniac adopt
ed to protect his beloved gold from thieves
was truly remarkable. Having been med
ical attendant to the principal Jail, he con-
trived to procure the skeletons Of a num-
Der of malefactors who had been executed,
and these he disposed around his premises
In way that unquestionably was calcu-
lated TO strike terror into the heart of the
boldest Of burglars. In the first place. with
his own hand he blackened the walls of
the various rooms and passages, and, hav-
ing thus prepared tho background, he next
arranged the lugubrious relics in variety
of attitudes all more or less startling. In
the vestibule, for instance, he placed, by
way Of a cloak rack, the skeleton of a
woman who had cut the throats of her
children. In the middle of the adjoining
room stood the gigantic and minatory os-
seous remains of u grenadier who had suf-
fered the extreme penalty for murder.
In lieu of sideboard the dining room
contained a grim looking erection fash
ioned out Of human bones, plates and
dishes resting on the pelves, and knives,
forks and spoons between the ribs, while
the dome of skull served as sugar basin
and a child's ossicles as sugar tongs. The
appliances thus forbiddingly stored were,
however, more for show than use, since
their owner never by any chance enter
tained a guest, and toward the end alb
stained almost altogether from eating.
His death Is ascribed to fear and hunger
combined A few moments before he ex-
pired he Is said to have raised himself up
in bed with great difficulty in order to
blow out candle. But whether he was
actuated by desire for economy or dreaded
to afford illumination for the long expect
cd robber it Is impossible to determine.-
London Lancet.