The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-12-06

MINER william RoDlnson
whom he picked up on the streets OF
Knoxville, and the other day through
London solicitors he learned that he
is the beneficiary Of Roblnsons will.
The one time tramp died recently in
Melbourne leaving sn estate said to
exceeded two million dollars.
When he befriended Robinson Har-
ris was famous auctiOneer and went
from city to city through the south
conducting sales. lie was a pictur-
esque figure. Tall and gaunt, a little
stopped. always In frock coat aud high
silk hat. Harris attracted crrwds
wherever he went He had a tre-
mendous stock of funny stories and
knew how to tell them so that when
he mounted a stand to cry his goods
men pushed as close as they could to
listen because they were sure of en-
tertainment. He was quick tC see
funny incidents and could always get
back at any wag who tried to be
facetious with him. Sales were often
delayed until his services could be
secured.
He made from three to FIVE hundred
dollars every day he worked and
sometimes by taking a commission
would make as much as $1O,500 a day.
Generous to fault, he spent and gave
away money as fast as he earned 1t.
No one in distress was ever refused
help by him.
One day as he waited for a train in
Virginia he saw a woman crying in the
station. She held baby in her arms
while little boy about five years old
sat beside her, trying to console her.
What's the trouble over there?"
Harris asked native of the place.
shes been turned out and has to
go home to her folks" came the an
swer
"Why?" asked Harris, touched by
the woman's grief
Did you see that rich Col. W at
the sale today? Well, he sold her hus-
band a little house for $1,000. They
were to pay for it on the installment
plan. Her husband died last week ow-
ing the Colonel $271.s so he turned the
woman and the children out because,
he said, he knew they could not finish
the payments"
That amount don't represent a
days work for me-" said Harris. Call |
some responsible man. I'll leave the |
money to finish paying for the house"
Harris was already opening a wallet !
more than $1,000 which he |
had just made in that particular town.
Let the poor thing stay in her home!"
The train was whistling, and Har-
ris handed over the amount, adding, |
I'll be here again Monday and will
settle any minor expenses incident to
the deal"
The favor was forgotten by Harris
until a day or two ago he had a let
ter from the little boy, now grown to
manhood He had read an account
of Harris good fortune and wanted
to congratulate him He and his moth
er had never been able to write their
thanks for his kindness to them be-
cause all they knew of their benefac-
tor was that his name was Harris
and that he was an auctioneer. They
did not know where he lived.
This was only one of many like in
cidents in his life. He once gave a
beggar whom he found in a pitiable
physical condition in the streets of
Nashville $3.50 with which to go to a
losnftal for treatment
1t was in January, 1887, that Harris
net the man who has Just left him
more than $2,O0O,O0O. At that time
Harris operated an auction house in
Knoxville. AS he went into town one
morning he stopped by an old freight
lepot that he had Just bought and was
having torn down. While he was look
ng about giving orders to the men at
work, he noticed Robinson tip his
habby old hat to him Harris
topped and looked the man in the
ace Robinson was evidently hungry.
Have you had breakfast, young
nan?" Robinson was then %.
mo, sir, l haven't"
Take this quarter" began Harris,
and go over to Ronner's saloon and
'et you two drinks. They'll brace
ou up. Then I'll take you home for
At the table Harris offered Robin {
on So day to oversee the negroes
I work on the old depot. Robinson '
ccepted eagerly. When Harris pass {
d the depot at noon he called to Rob- /
lson and took him home to dinner. '
.fter the meal was over Robinson ! /