The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-08-11
Curious People who live near Noted Places.

"Gris," the humorous correspondent of the
Cincinnati Times, relates some interesting in
cidents about eccentric characters living near
noted places
About ten miles from Bonneville are the
"Choteau Springs" whose waters are noted, in
this region at least, for their excellent medici-
nal qualities. It is generally believed about
here that if the grounds were improved, as they
might be, and suitable buildings erected, Cho-
teau Springs would become as great resort as
Saratoga. How many springs have been dis
covered that the discoveries confidently expec-
ted would rival Saratoga As Tooiles says OF
the "long lost brother''-then we heard of them,
then we didn't. Fortunes have been lost in
endeavoring to bring such places into promi-
nence, but somehow the wonderful springs fail.
'Do you know" said man who told us
about the springs, and who has the most pro-
found belief in their virtues as IN their future,
edo you know there are people living within
mile of Choteau Springs who have never visi-
ted them?"
There is always some obstinate Gus living
within q short distance of place OF notorlety
who never goes to see it. Niagara Falls keeps
one on hand constantly. He lives within the
sound of the great cataract and yet he reso-
lutely refuses to 60 and see it. If he takes
walk it is always in the opposite direction. No
amount of money could hire him to go and
view the Falls. remember hearing OF this
strange individual years ago-about the first
time heard of Niagara, think. Whenever
thought about Niagara 1 thought about him. l
came to be more curious about him than l was
about the Falls. How / wanted to see that
man. How fervently hoped he would hold
out until could see him, because, you see, all
interest in him would he dissipated as soon as
he weakened and went and looked at the Falls,
no matter for how short time.
At length made trip to Niagara Falls.
AS soon as I arrived at the Falls although their
thunder was in my ears, inquired for the man
that had lived eighty odd years without once
being out of the sound of those tcA, and yet
hadn't been to see it. The clerk at the hotel
said he had heard of him, but couldn't tell pre-
cisely where he lived. Made inquiries gener-
ally, and happened at length to meet neigh
Dor of his. In fact he lived next door to him.
''You know this man then," said I, "who has
lived all his life within the sound of Niagara's
roar, and who yet has never looked upon that
mighty cataract; whose ears have been deafen-
ed BY its laundering anthem, but whose eyes
have resolutely refused to gaze upon its sublime
and awful beauty"
"Oh, yes" he replied, 'I know him we'll
seen him every day for over forty years."
cts there any reason for this strange per-
versity?"
'eNo reason in the world. Stop, though:
There is one thing that may have influenced
him somewhat in this matter"
what is that?"
"The man is blind !'
The man who never rode in the cars is
continually turning up. He lives close by
station, and has fourteen sons who are conduc-
tors, besides enjoying the advantages of sea-
son pass every year, yet he never rode in rail-
road car yet He takes great. pride in relating
the fact, and once or twice a year his county
paper mentions the circumstance-greatly to
his satisfaction. Then there is the man who
never saw locomotive-not for the want OF
eyesight however, but because he thinks it is a
good thing to boast of, not having anything
else to brag about. The locomotive passes
right by his door dozen times a day, but he
never sees it.
The number of people who live within a
mile of Mammoth Cave without caving in is
quite wonderful. Some of them have moved
there from great distance in order not to go in
the cave. Others, being born there, stubbornly
remain, although brilliant prospects await them
elsewhere, Just so as to keep. out of that cave,
and have folks talk about it as something mar
velous. This Indifference to the marvels of ma
ture when brought in close juxtaposition to
them is quite human, after all. AS boy |
have stood close by red-hot horseshoe and
never touched it Work is one of the loftiest
attributes OF our nature, and yet how often
have lain down and gone to sleep right by
the side of it!