An Eccentric Recluse

Malden, Mass.. bas aa eccentric redase n Miss Harriet Plerpont Slio livm out siilc ilic city In a plcturcsgue old house, ¦urrounded ly her bons nnd dog. Bbc ialioul 70 ycars old nnd luis niucli propei t3r. Uomplalnt haa been made of her dogs and Ihe fillby condition of her house, and h reporter callwl upon lier lo ascertaln the facU. Ho was mei at the door "wilh n chorus of yi-lps nnd bowls, mingled wJUi the cluckiñg and cackllng of liens. The woman was wrappod in bundie of rags. Hor biown huir. slightly liugcd witb uruy. feil in graceful braids over her slioufders, vel her face WM wiinkled and nol partie iihirly clean. AboUt Ihe upper part of her body were tbc reniains of a man's flan Del undershlrt, while her skirt would defj deacripUon. Dospite her unpleatanl appearancc, uto was courteotts in lier mannen, and spok( in a Bwect, well modulated volco. "This s outragooua," said sho, wliin lold of the coinulaiot. "The eomplaint comes l'roin someof thoso peoplc who have stoned my dogs and broKen my wludows. Of conne you will lx: bitleii il yuu twist u dogs tail. Jlut wliv didn't thcy complain lo lucí Wta il nota principie of tlie Komau law Ihut the accuacd should have Ihe privilege Of f ai ing his nccuser3. They liave no iíl'IiI to interferc wilh me. Thero is DO luw wbicb prescribes the clothes a woman Bhall wear, or how often the shall bathe.or when she sliall sweep her kitchen." Her house insidia was In keeping wilh her dress and person. 8he foruierly bad I wenty sevcn iiils, luit they inlcrfered wUh lier dogs, so shc disposed of Ihem. Jiens nd dogs are hcronly coinpanions, aharlog het house and food alike with her. Shc lias been living in this uianner for ten ycars.