Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-05-06
A Lively Hermit.

Living on the edge OF apiece OF tim
ber land near Plum creek. Plum town
ship, Allegheny county, Pa. is an odd
character who has by his eccentric
ways made himself subject of curl.
osity TO the inhabitants of that section.
A gentleman related the following in
regard TO the man to a Pittsburg Dis
patch reporter. We have the mans real
name Mt hand, but for good reasons do
not think it advisable to give publicity
TO il at this time; at any rate we will
name him Jones In order to get at our
story better. Seven or eight years ago
man. He was frugal in his habits and
accumulated money rapidly and
boarded 1t up. But the waves of mis-
fortune overlook him when he was in
the zenith of his prosperity, and in IA
short time he was left penniless. What
hastened his sudden breaking up, our
informant was unable TO state. From
that day TO this Jones has never been
considered his former self; the blow was
more than he could stand, and his
mind became slightly deranged. He
would go about from place TO place,
never noticing anybody or anything.
and rs silent rs n sphinx. He was and
is yet very proud. and n -profer of as
sistance is sure to bring look or n word
that plainly indicates that Jones' pride
rebels against his accepting charity.
He is now over sixty years of age and
almost blind. Some time since he
erected little shanty, ten By twelve,
out of rough lumber, on the edge of the
woods and far apart from any other
habisaSion, and with the idea evidently
of making his presence known TO the
outside world as little as possible.
About n year ago he started in the book
peddling business, but his eyesight got
so poor that he had TO give up the work
and Mt once retired 20 the secfusion OF
his little shanty. and entered upon the
life of hermit. The room Is devoid of
even the commonest articles of furni.
ture. and its condition, were IL in the
city, would likely call for an investiga-
tion from one Of the city smellers, rs
they are sometimes termed. His bed is
an old bench, with lot of dirty look
ing pieces of cloth for covering. He
has n fireplace, where he does his cook
ing, whenever there Is anything about
the place TO c0ok, and that Is very sell
dom. The floor Is bare. A visit to his
prison at any time during the day will
find him sitting almost on top of the fire,
Will Ills nesAu DtbWtt0 Ills utlnuS ana rs
dumb as the live Goals that cast weird
glare about the dark, dingy apartment,
and give n coloring to his appearance
that makes him look like old rip "
himself. A year ago the neigh
bors made up purse and bought
him n suit of clothes. They had
the greatest difficulty in inducing
him to accept the gift and 10 convince
him that he was not lowering his pride
by doing so. The clothes are rags now,
and hang TO his ghost-like frame In
tatters but he will accept of no offers 10
replace the rags with garments more
becoming this season of the year. He Is
supplied with eatables by the farmers in
the vicinity, and has been tor n good
while back. Were Il not for this fact,
the old man would have passed in his
checks long ere this. He would not
visit any Of their heuses and ask for
food II he was starving, and his proud.
independent spirit says, +" No, sir. will
not" to all suggestions that he he
placed in some charitable institution
where he can be properly cared for. He
Is said to have relatives In this city who
are in good circumstances, and who
could take care of the old man If he
would consent, but his answer 10 all
such PROF ositions is generally an en-
phatic mol" and there he il to-day in
his little dingy hamlet, apart from the
world. awaiting the time when his old
tired frame shall be laid low with dis
ease and oil age, and grim death shall
step in and claim him for his own.
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