Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-04-27
THE HERMIT OF YONKERS.
How a Cultured Artist became Soldier
VagraHt, and Recluse by Turns.
Nory C,,,,

From the New York Sun.
One mile from the Nepperhan river road.
and five miles from Yonkers, in a secluded
nook between iutting rocks which shelter
him from the blasts Of winter and the heat
of summer. an old man has erected hut,
and has lived many years in seclusion. A
Sun reporter found the hermit seated on a
rude bench in his miserable den. The re-
cluse was carving the root Of a small sap
ling into the semblance Of dogs head :
His long black hair and grey beard hung
down his shoulders and breast in tangled
masses. He arose as the Sun reporter ap-
preached.
Pardon me. sir. for breaking in upon
your seelusion; but { have come to pur-
chase one of your carved wood canes'
"You are welcome to my rude dwelling.
Be seated the hermit said in excellent
English, pointing to bench similar to the
one on which he had been seated. The re-
porter sat down, and the hermit resumed
his labor
''May ask how many years you have
lived hep
| sNine years."
"And what induced you to seclude your
self from the busy haunts of men? I trust
you viii excuse me for asking these ques
| tons, but the outside world are curious to
4 }
''Ah my son, the outside world has lost
all its attractions for me. I live in a world
| of my own-a world Of the past; [ do not
| belong to this generation; and [ live here
because am poor, and because it suits my
| inclinatiOns. I viii tell you something of
my history, since the outside world are anx-
ious to be informed. NV name is Ferdinand
! Gervaund. Twas born in Strasbourg IN 1893
My parents were in good circumstances,
and was well educated. Ny tastes We're
aesthetic, and consequently [ studied the
art OF painting; [ travelled in Germany,
France and Italy, and became in the course
| IF time an artist. Circumstances which
are unnecessary for me to mention at
| length. led me to join the Second Regi-
ment Chasseurs d'AfriqUe, in which l serv-
ed many years in Algeria. My time having
| expired, I became q wanderer an adven-
turer-an old man. My friends were dead
or scattered, and [ came to America I
| landed on these shores eleven years ago.
After remaining in the City of New York
/ until my money had been nearly spent, [
obtained the job of frescoing church in
/ Albany, and had almost finished it when /
accidentally lost my footing on the scaffold
and fell to the floor, breaking my right leg
and arm.
[ was laid up, of course, long time, and
when my wounds had healed I had lost the
use Of myright arm; its cunning was gone,
and could no longer follow my legitimate
occupation, and became beggar. Nine
years ago I wandered to this place. and
here have lived ever since, earning pre-
carious livelihood by carving wooden canes
and toys with my left hand. 1 am compar-
atively happy. My tastes are simple and
easily satisfied [ have lived a long time
am weary, but trust in God that when my
time comes (Which cannot be very far dis
tant) I shall be prepared to make the leap
with full and realizing hope that it will be
well with me-"
The hermit occasionally makes excur-
sions to Yunkers to dispose of his wares
and purchase provisions. He is cheerful
and laxative when approached and is
treated with respect He converses in
French, German and English with fuency.