Mrs. Waring. In this regard, also, the utmost
parsimony was evinced, and the daily fare consisted of the commonest
articles of diet that he was able to purchase. Salt meats and fish,
brown bread and cheese, seemed to be the staple articles of food. At
the expiration of every week, accompanied by William, he would
journey to South Norwalk, to purchase the necessary stores for the
following seven days, and he soon became well-known to the
shopkeepers for the niggardly manner of his dealings. Upon his return
his purchases would be carefully locked up in the strong box which he
kept in his room, and would be doled out regularly to the servant for
cooking in the apartments below, with a stinting exactness painfully
amusing to witness.

The only luxury which he allowed himself was a certain quantity of
Rhenish wine, of poor quality and unpleasant flavor, which was
partaken of by himself alone, and apparently very much enjoyed. At
his meals Bucholz was required to perform the duties of waiter;
arranging the cloth, carrying the food and dancing in constant
attendance--after which he would be permitted to partake of his own
repast, either with the family, who frequently invited him, and thus
saved expense, or in the chamber of his master.

Gossip in a country village travels fast and loses nothing in its
passage. Over many a friendly cup of tea did the matrons and maids
discuss the peculiarities of the wealthy and eccentric old man who
had so suddenly appeared among them, while the male portion of the
community speculated illimitably as to his history and his
possessions.

He was frequently met walking along the highway with his hands folded
behind his back, his head bent down, apparently in deep thought,
William in advance, and the master plodding slowly after him, and
many efforts were made to cultivate his acquaintance, but always
without success.

This evidence of an avoidance of conversation and refusal to make
acquaintances, instead of repressing a tendency to gossip, only
seemed to supply an opportunity for exaggeration, and speculation
largely supplied the want of fact in regard to his wealth and his
antecedents.

Entirely undisturbed by the many reports in circulation about him,
Henry Schulte pursued the isolated life he seemed to prefer, paying
no heed to the curious eyes that were bent upon him, and entirely
oblivious to the vast amount of interest which others evinced in his
welfare.

He was in the habit o