MISCELLANEOUS.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, 27 April 1881, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

_ » , One of the most eccentric old ladies in Europe died the other day at her residence in the Stratlaner 8 rasse, Berlin, where she had lived in all but absolute seclusion for nearly half a century. She was well off, and denied herself no luxury in the way of eating and drinking, but would never rjermit her apartments to be swept or her furniture to be cleaned, so tbat upon entering her dwelling after her death the police authorities found everything within them, except the kitchen uten* sils, eorered with a layer of veo^mUm dust from two to four incj^^^^H For many years she hao^^^^^^H or any other bodyi^^^^^^H a man's duffel dressin^^^^^^H was ber custom to wear a^^^^^^^| foot and a shoe ou the otu^^^^^^H never took ber gloves off da^^^^^^H except to change them few l^^^^^H fairly worn out. She alwa^^^^H daylight hours in bed, rising j!^^H the evenings and occupying her m^-H

witb cooking sumptuous meals for herself and her companion, making a point of finishing her repast before drawn. She kept a great many dogs cats, and birds In this strange fashion she lived to the age of 82. Her whole property, with the exception of a handsome legacy to her faithful old servant, is left to a grandniece, resident in this country, to revert after her decease to an asylum for dogs. An early dissapointment in love ib believed ; to have been tbe original cause of the misanthropical resolve which prompted her to seclude herself from the -world for nearly three-fourths of her long existence. A laughable circumstances once took place upon a trial in Lancashire, wbere Rey. Mr Wood was examined as a witness. Upon giving his name, Ottiwell Wood, the Judge, adressing the reverend person, said : ' Pray, Mr Wood, how do you spell your name ?' Tbe old gentleman replied : "0 double T I double U E double L. Double U, Double OD." Upon which tbe astonished lawyer laid down his pen, saying it was the most extraordinary name he had ever met in his life, and after two or three attempts, declared he was unable to record The court was convulsed witb laughter. Another pastor having been accused of kissing the lady members of his flock tbe Philadelphia Chronicle-Herald thinks that preachers will have to wear muzzles when on duty. Why are young ladies at the breakingup of a party like arrows ? Because they can't go off without a beau, and are all in a quiver till they get one.