The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-04-11
THE HERMIT or rONKERs.
How Cnifured Artist brcamo soldier. Va
grant. rnd Rcciusc By Turns-rho su,

How Cnitured Artist brcamc soldier. Va
grant, -nd Rcciuse By Turns-rho sun
secth him In Secret. and TcIletb eiit
One mile from the Nepperhan river road, and
i've miles from Yonkers, In a secluded nook be.
tween juuing rocks which shelter him from the
blasts OF winter nnj the heat OF summer, an old
has erected hut, and has lived many years IN So
clusion. SUE reporter found the hermit seated
on rude bench in his miserable den. The rscuse
was carving tue root ofa small sapling into tho
bianee Of . dogs head. His long black hair and
grey beard hung down bis shoulders and breast in
tangled masses. He arose ss Tus SUN reporter ap-
prosobed.
pardon me, sir. for breaking In upon your seclu.
sion; but have come to purchase one OF your
carved wood canes"
"You are welcome TO my rude dwelling. Be
seated" the hermit said in excellent Engsh. point
Ing 10 bench similar 10 the on which he Ind
bees seated. The reporter set down, and the her.
init resumed his lsbor.
"hay I ssk how many years you have hvod
heref"
"Nine years"
"And what induced you TO sscluds yourself from
the busy haune OF mont I trust you will excuse
ne for asking those questions but the outside world
are curious 10 know something Of your history"
"Ah my sou, the outside world has lost oil Its At
world Of the pest; do not belong TO this generation
and i've here because poor, and because suits
my inciinations will tell you something OF my bisto-
rv sinos the outside world anxious TO be informed
ny name y ferdinand Gervaund. I was born In
strasoourY in fToa Ny parents were IN good circun-
stances, and was well educated. MY tastes were
aesthetic and consequently studied the art OF paint
Ing; travelled In Germany, FRI nee. and Itay. and
became In the OF time an artist. Circumstan
which are unnecessary for tne TO mention at length
led me 70 Join the second Regiment Chasseurs
d'Afrique, In which served manv years In Algeria
an adventurer-an old man. Ny friends were
dead. or scattered, aud I camo to America.
landed on those shores eleven years aco. After re-
maininx In tho City OF New York until my money
had been nearly spent, obtained tho Job OF fresco-
ing Q church In Albany, and had almost finished it
whom accidentally lost nv footing on the scadold
and fell TO the noor broakinr my right log aud arm
was iald up, OF course, long time, and ~hen my
wounds had healed nad lost the use Of my right
arm Its cunning was gone. and couId no longer
follow my legitimate occupation, aud became beg
gar Nine years ago I wandered to this pace, and
here have lived ever tiuce, earning q precarous
livelihood BY c1rvii wooden canes and toys with
my lcn hand. am comparatively happy. My tastes
are simple and easily sltisfed. have lived long
time-am weary, but trust In God shat when my
time comes (which cannot be very far dstanO Ishal
he prepared 10 make the leap with full and realiz-
ing hope that it will be wei with me-"
Tne hermit occasionally makes excursions tn
Yonkers to dispose OF his wares and purchase pro-
visions. He 10 cheerful and talkatiye wnen ap-
preached and is treated with respect lie oonvs rses
In French, German, and English with nuenoy.