Job Senior, the Hermit of Rumbold's Moor
The narrative follows the life of an illegitimate child named Job Senior, who grows up in the vicinity of Ilkley. Initially a strong and capable laborer, Job's life takes a downward turn as he succumbs to alcoholism and neglects his appearance. Despite his decline, he remains a skilled worker, known for his impressive physical strength and ability to perform demanding tasks. As he ages and becomes infirm, Job seeks companionship and proposes marriage to an elderly widow, Mary Barret, who lives near Rumbold's Moor. Their union is marked by Job's crude charm and the widow's eventual acceptance, despite her advanced age. After a brief marriage, Mary falls ill, and Job attempts to care for her in increasingly bizarre and misguided ways, ultimately leading to her death. Following her passing, Job discovers that he has no claim to the property he believed was his, as Mary's family reclaims it. This loss drives him into a state of despair, leading him to construct a makeshift hovel from the ruins of their home. He lives in squalor, subsisting on a diet of potatoes and oatmeal, and becomes a hermit, shunning society. Job's eccentricities grow as he develops a unique singing talent, performing in public for money. His appearance becomes increasingly disheveled, and he adopts a lifestyle that further alienates him from the community. He offers unsolicited advice to visitors, emphasizing the importance of frugality and the burdens of family life, which he views as detrimental to financial stability. The story culminates in Job's demise, believed to be caused by a prank involving drugged drink. He is taken to a workhouse, where he dies at seventy-seven, ultimately buried in a churchyard, marking the end of a life characterized by hardship, isolation, and a peculiar blend of wisdom and folly.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1898 · Genre: Fiction, Biography, Historical Fiction · 2,426 words
First lines
Job's mother was Ann Senior, of Beckfoot, near Ilkley; he was an illegitimate child. His father, a man named Hacksworth, left him a little money when he died. Job grew up a spruce, active young man, very strong, and not devoid of good looks. He was employed as a labourer by the farmers round Ilkley; but afterwards went to live at Whitkirk, near Leeds. He there fell into disorderly ways, drank, and became careless in his dress and dirty in his habits. Yet he was a good workman, and when he returned to Ilkley he was readily engaged by the farmers to plough, mow, and reap for them. He was a good fence-waller, and being a man of prodigious strength, is said to have used very heavy stones for the purpose, and when days were short he was frequently seen walling by candlelight. Some of his walls are still pointed out, and the large stones he lifted elicit surprise. In winter he employed himself in wool-combing at a place called The Castle, near Ilkley. It is related of him that he once laid himself down on the combing-shed floor, and that some of his fellow-workmen chalked out his figure on the floor. By this outline he used to cut his shirts, the material being coarse harden, sewed with strong hemp-string.[19]
What this Textopian page supports
Job Senior, the Hermit of Rumbold's Moor is listed on Textopian as a short story by Sabine Baring-Gould, dated 1898 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Sabine Baring-Gould
- Date: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Biography, Historical Fiction, Tragedy, Comedy
- Length: 2,426 words
- Structure: 1 section, 36 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Job Senior, the Hermit of Rumbold's Moor by Sabine Baring-Gould
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Fiction — The narrative is a fictional account of Job Senior's life, exploring his experiences and relationships.
- Biography — The book presents a biographical sketch of Job Senior, detailing his life events and character.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in a specific historical context, reflecting the social conditions of the time.
- Tragedy — Job's life is marked by misfortune, loss, and ultimately a tragic end.
Tags
Job Senior · hermit · Rumbold's Moor · Sabine Baring-Gould · Ilkley · widow · Mary Barret · poverty · labourer · disorderly · strength · squalor