The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1869-06-12
A Strange Character.

The San Francisco HsrdId gives the
following history of a species Of Vaga-
bond that seems peculiar to that city
Early in the morning, rainy or pleasant,
Sunday not excepted, we behold q strange
looking, oil cloth clad old man, patterIng
along like badger, near the outer eoge
of the sidewalk, with his eyes fixed id'
tently upon the gutter. His gate is quick
and business like, and bis air the very e.
sence of diligence and independence On
his head is an oi-cloth hat of many sum-
mers; and over his back and shoulders is
thrown seedy and well-patched oil cloth
coat. With this water proof habit which
he never changes, he may be seen ventur'
ing forth in a tempest. Who Is that
strange creature? The bystandeTs will
tell you he is the San Francisco "gutter.
snipe |" who, beside the gaTbage'gather
ing Gelestisls and the uncouth Digger In.
dian, is the only one the city can boast OF
What he has been is shrouded in rem ote
mystery. 1t is thought by some that he is
cunning, miserly old monomsniaC, who
boards away his gold. Others suppose
that he was once millionaire and that he
lost everything in wild speculations at
Frasier river, while still Others as.
sert that he was reduced to power.
ty through the treacheTy Of friend,
and that he now abstains from mans
society and his monopolies in fulhllment
of vow. What is the real truth
concerning his past history and theCsuses
which led him into his present strange
course of life, will probably forever re-
main unknown, Attempt to follow him,
and after going the rounds OF many blocks
and curious crooked alleys, you will
bring up at the place of starting, but little
wiser for your curiosity. Apparently
void of reason, this strange creature OK.
hibits an instructive trait, strong in some
of the lower animals, Of universally re.
turning to the starting point
In his transit along the cutters he seeks
only for his food, which consists Of
such waste culinary preparatiOnsss he can
collect from the general rubbish, Ii he
sees piece of an apple or a rusty cracker
floating sewerward, he pounces upon the
prize as halcyon would dive for herring
He holds no converse with his fellow
men, and the nearest approach to soCia.
bility apparent In him Is certain predi.
lection which he has for watching the
movements and fight Of housefles- He
takes his chances in his daily f0Od'fishing
Journey, and has no regular thing to de-
pend on, If he is successful in finding q
morsel, all is we'll if not, 1t Seemingly
makes no difference, for his imperu rbablt
euuanimity is never disturbed. He viii
not eat a regular meal, or touch food thai
| is offered him; and nothing but food vii
he take from out the CUTTERS
This strange and unique creature hal
shuffled along our pavements day atel
day for nine years; his real name is On
known. If question is asked him ho
gives the speaker hasty, half vacant
halfinquisitive look, but pauses not amin
stant Place yourself Immediately in hi
path dozen times, and like apersisten
bug he will turn out and continue his per
egrinations. Noteven is his placeof abod'
known. Those who have attempted Il
, trace him to his lodgings generally los
sight of him in the sand hills near tn
Mission. When he made his first appear
ance here he was more civilized, and in
: habited brush hut in what was then
, wild spot on Taylor, between Oaliforni
, and Sacramento streets. Now he j
thought to burrow IN the sand, or 60 slee
in the cemeteries that border the Tyester
portion Of the city. m