The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-03-30

A SINGULAR CHARACTER,
4 Man to When Money Proves a
Curse.


at some time seen little old man,
dressed very poorly. with an old rub
Der coat overhis other clothes, . slouch-
ed bat Tapping on his shoulders, bis
face dirty and covered with shaggy
| heard, and his hair long, snarled aud
matted to his neck and brow. He is
often seen on the street. He walks
close to the curb stone, and keeps his
eyes fixed on the gutter. He observes
| no man. He seems to have acquired
most perfectly the ability to mind his
own business, such as it is, and he sub
sists by it. He never asks aims, for
lie will not speak. He never solicits
charity, for he spurns it when offered.
Give him piece of money and he will
fling it away. To him money proved
ii curse. He was destroyed through its
loss. Offer him bread or piece of
meat and he will refuse to take it from
your hand. Fling it into the mud at
his feet and he springs to catch it with
the avidity ola starving dog. No de-
cayed fruit, no crust of bread, no cast
out vegetable remains in Il gutter after
this man sees it. He eats while walk
ing, and, when lis appetite is satiated,
he slows provisio ms in his pockets till
they are as well filed as were Hudi-
bras nose. Then lie disappears from
the public thorouglifare, and those
who gazed at him there do not know
what place he seeks or where he lives.
As he has abandoned his race, a name
is nothing to him. He would never
answer to one, but men call him "The
Gutter Snipc."
This singular being is said to have
been born in France He came to this
country like other men, to make for
tune. By industry and the practice OF
the accompanying virtues, he. got to-
getler about $1,000. He intrusted the
entire sum with Adams & Co... in this
city. They failed. His little fortune,
great to his mind, was wrecked, and
the man was himself swept down with
the ruin of his wealth. He conceived
the notion that he had been betrayed
and that lie could never again trust
any member of the human family. lie
resolved never to speak or laugh, work
play, buy or sell, beg or give, or in any
manner recognize any of the relations
10y which men secure the benefit of thu
social state. He would live his allot
ted time, shelter and clotlie himself az
best lie could, and procure his foot
from the earth, of which he was thence
forth only to be an animated lump
He betook himself at first to the sand.
hills, and since that day lie has liyet
like an eXiled savage.
"Gutter Snipe" has home. aud h
has companion, but it is a beast
cat. 1t has been with him severa
years, and if Montaigne's cat though
her master was luxurious fool
"Snipe's" cat must believe its master
philosophical modern Diogenes-
man with fewer wants than senses
and who would not ask an Alexande
for even a ray of sunshine. "Snipe
lived long time near the Presidio, i
a thicket, in dry goods box. Wher
he got the box, or how he got it there
10 one ever knew. At last some ma
macs, who wanted gold and silver an
copper, commenced digging near h
box for the metals. He did not like i
and, like a disturbed wolf, sought al
other place.
On the seashore, between Fort Poir
and Point Lobos, at place where pol
tons of several wrecked ships may |
seen, lives now this wrecked man. II
, associates himself with wrecks. Til;
which is destroyed or nearly decaye
suits him best. "Snipe" has erected
: house, cottage 10y the sea, cabi
about sxl0 feet, and feet high, co,
cred with rough boards which he co
lected OH the beach, aud with old gun
: ny sacks which he picked up in IL
city. He has built himself mud fir,
place, and ocean gave him an old ba
rel, which, opened at each end an
/. stuck through the roof, serves as
chimney, and keeps the howell free fro
5 smoke.
$ He "claims" part of Gods domai
6 A rude fence incloses few var,
II which lie would call his own, if
7" should ever speak about title. Abo
bis hut he planted few potatoes, b
the soi' is so barren, they, like Ii
hopes, are blasted, and the sickly vim
lie prone upon the ground. He slee]
on and beneath grimy sack blank ct
!, and keeps on hand supply of drii
wood, which he finds on the beach.
When lie is away and the weather
fair, his cat sleeps and awaits his r
8 turn, on the roof. He receives no vi
d itors, although many people pass Il
e "castle" daily, and gaze curionsly .
poor "snipe." Like more refined en-
cures, he is fond of shell-fish. a,