The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-07

TN little town Of about / 900 population
up in Michigan--Bronson-th lived
in the 9os man named J. Francis Ruggles,
who was q persistent advertiser and who
described himself as "bibliopolo experto."
That he knew quite a little about books was
well established by the success he made of
his affairs.
He had been for some years an itinerant
look seller, travelling over the country gen
orally: firing of the job, he settled down in
Bronson with the intention of opening q
store for the sale of old books. When he
found site for his store that pleased him,
he began the construction of building that
was like no other ever devoted to that line of
trade, and soon he had it well stocked with
books and curious things from all quarters
of the earth.
The building Was much like others in the
town when viewed from a distance but close
up it reflected some of the peculiarities of
the man. 1t was covered with unusual signs.
A long, streaming pennant few from the
staff that surmounted the cupola and bore
the title he had given himself. Over the
upper windows was inscribed LUX. Lux"
and underneath eye Bibliopolo Experto"
was strung clear across the front.
On the corner stone was carved 90 Curioso.
j. Francis Ruggles Bookcry.' The corniee
was embellshcd with odd looking crossed
pens and swords, with grifins as supporters,
and he spoke of the place as a whole as
1.-THE Odditorium.'
Wonders Within.
However the exterior impressed the be-
holder, it was on visiting the interior that
astnnishment struck home for it was deco
rated with no less than los differing sorts
of wall paper, giving n Kaleidoscope effect
that was not unpleasant to the eye.
The principal feature of the inside was
the wood work, for here had been gathered
together many different woods from every
corner of the world. There were ash, birch,
beech, chestnut, hickory, Georgia pine, san
dal-wood, teak, coeobola, lignum vita,
ebony, walnut, elm, maple, oak, birdseye
maple, mahogany, rosewood, satinwood,
"and,' Ruggles said, az q had more if
l d thought of en-
At the back Of the store flight of steps
led up to a door marked "Sanctum Sane
torum," another flight to door marked,
'Hal of Single Biessedness,' his private
apartment
But He Sold Books!
It was from this remarkable riaee that
Ruggles, with the aid of his extensive adver-
Using, did a large business He was a most
interchangeable searcher after rare things of
every sort, finding items that other dealers
had given up looking for, and thus making
permanent customers of ,nany of the most
prominent collectors of this country as well
rs those abroad. His reputation was that of
man of strict integrity, having n more
than fair knowledge of books and the sort
Of material he dealt in; sharp, shrewd
business man in the habit of getting the
better end of trade.
The peculiarities for which he was noted
were all assumed that he might be an out
standing figure in his line, and were as good
advertising he desired.
In the office of the hotel where he took
his meals a chair that bore his name en-
blazOned in gold letters was held exclusively
for his use and no one else dared to occupy
it. He lived and died a bachelor. Once
being asked why he did not marry, he re-
piled: mot much. I've worked like a
slave TO build this palace, and if I got
wife, she Il be running me into the tornado
cave and feeding me through hole in the
roof; then she d run the Odditorium herself
No, sir: | know when am well Off want
no female help about this place.
Eugene Field and the cnterie Assem- bled in
the amen corner at McCIurg's all knew J.
I