The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1882-08-10
HISTORY OF A HERMIT.
THREE YEARS UNDER THE wHARvEs


tract It-A Strange and Romantic
Story Unearfhed byR "Critic" Mis-
sfOnnry.
Something over twolvo years ago q quiet,
Industrious mechanic came TO Washington
from wcstmoroland County, Va. Ho was n
man OF pleasing manners and accommodating
disposition; In short, the very man to gain
friends and attain influence, and It was not
long before James Bryan became leading
and one OF tho most popular mon OF his section
ofsouth Washington, not only among tho clt.
IONS OF his status, but among tho residents OF
all conditions OF society. Ho was n shoemaker
by trade, but being n man OF more than tho
average mental capacity and OF considerable
business ability, he, shortly after coming TO
Washington, left the Journeyman cobbler's
profession and entered Into occupations suited
10 a higher order OF existence. Prosperity
smiled upon Bryan, and year In and year out
he continued 10 amass wealth and gain appre
citation In tho community.
Bryan was beau much sought after by tho
fair residents OF the neighborhood, and as q
natural consequence OF success In life, not
ried man and tho father OF three bright chill
dren. In tho course OF time prosperity became
too much for him, and no got reckless in his
business transactions and frequently resorted
TO the wine cup, but not so often MS to mako
him criminal drunkard, and his wife and lit.
tie ones still continued to enjoy thor full
share OF the good things of life. Bryan after
awhile began TO act exceedingly queer, and
His Strange Actions
became the subject OF frequent conversations
in his portion OF South Washington. HIS wife
was much distressed at his conduct and often
appealed TO his friends to do something 10 con.
solo her James, but was told in reply that
no was only little eccentric and would soon
return to his natural way. But he continued
TO grow worse. Hc became possessed with tho
idea that he could 60 West and accumulate an
immense fortune In mining speculations, and
many times explained to his wife his Wild and
hnlf-insane schemes Mrs. Bryan was sensi
bic woman and refused 10 countenance his pro.
position to sell out and move West. This made
him
All the More Frantic,
and he made frequent threats OF deserving his
family and going West without them.
Al, About three years ago, IN midsummer, he
uraliy supposed that he had fulfilled his
threat and gone West. His disappearance
caused little ,h anxiety a. home for It was
tier would soon bring him back to his senses
and cause him to return homo n visor man.
But month after month rolled away and no
tidinGs OF the missing man reached Washing
ton, and his wife became filed with distress
that he had fallen victim to Indian sayagery
in the Western wilds. As time went on the
she and her darlings began to feel
The Pinch OfPOverty.
They were compelled to move from tholr
comfortable abode to moro humble quarters
on II street, and constant assistance from
friends was needed to keep them In tho actual
necessaries OF life, although Mrs Bryan was n
woman OF energy ana made deserving efforts
TO support herself and little ones.
Her children were small and wanted too
much OF her private attention for her to en-
gage IN any OF the ordinary female avocations
offered In the city life of the National Capital.
Her condition became still moro desperate,
and the first year Of her husbands departure
saw her reduced to absolute beggary and one
OF her loved ones carried to the grave, and now
the last one OF the three pretty children that
Bryan left at home is dead and his wifo left
alone.
Tho poor woman is better able to do now
than before, and she manages TO support her.
self in tolerable comfort. Bryan is still sup.
s 20 De es DO sne ,bnI
through oil OF the past three long years he has
been living in absolute contentment within al
most pistol-shot of his wife's house, and, per.
haps, knew much about the fearful distress
that the good woman has been subjected to-.
Neutrality-suspicious. taking the Eleventh.street
| cars TO the wharyes can remember
The Old Frame building,
| the property of Mr.. Thomas W. Riley, that
stands at the foot OF the street facing the river.
| The building was constructed on the river
the other extending SO far down tho BLUM
| slant that the high tide comes under 1t. The
| structure rested on wooden piles and close
| cellar was made around them with planking,
| so close that the cracks afforded but a misty
| view OF the inside. The cellar was never In
tended for use. On the right side Of the build.
| ing on q level with the floor Is Riley's wharf,
| on the left side is q landing for small boats,
| numbers OF them always fastened there wait.
| ing for their owners. Unknown to but single
| friend
| The Long Lost Bryan
lived for three years In this damp, foul cellar,
| under this old ante bellum building. Within
the last three weeks Mr.. Riley tore down the
| old structure and had erected In Its stead q
| new one on the Same old piles, and without
| disturbing the plank enclosure. Tearing away
the building brought to light the most won.
the establishment OF the workmen (for some OF
them knew HIM on tearing UP the ancient
floors to see the longlost Bryan calmly sitting
| down waiting to be first spoken to. He had
changed much, but the strong outlines OF his
face caused him to BIO Immediately recognized.
| How He Lived.
Bryan is very uncommunicative, and 1t was
| with dtnlculty that he was made to talk.
| Enough, however, ts learned by THE CRITIC at.
| taehe TO say that the hermit made midnight
| fishing his mode OF existence. He would come
| out on dark nights and take one OF the boats
| and go down tho river aud catch q quantity of
| fish and return before daybreak. His secret
friend would dispose of the fish and bring him
food. andi raiment-very little raiment-for,
| judging from appearances, Bryan must have
had on the same clothes when found that he
had on the iirst day he went In his cave.
How He Kept OFF Malaria.
Largo quantities Of oyster and clam shells
| have accumulated I'm the cellar since Bryan
| first made 1t his habitation, showing that no
has paid p particular attention to brain food.
| foul, being strongly impregnated with tho
| deadly malarial stencil Of the Potomac
| anu uuNOreu Win tNe eNnulatlOnS
from tho rib bones OF lnumerable herrlngs,
sheepsheads, ETC., that Bryan has destroyed.
Visitors TO the hermitage could scarcely stand
the stencil, and wondered how this man could
rest In such place. Bryan was turned to for
a solution of the problem, and he pointed to a
copious whisky flask concealed among several
Baltimore oyster cans.
| still "a Hermit.
A glance at the hermit showed Immediately
the philosophy OF tho point, for his face pre-
scented an exactly neshy fac slmlle OF his hair
which is red enough to suit tho fancy Of the
| most ambitious Dane.
Bryan etill continues TO occupy tho cellar al
| night. He shows no desire whateverto minglC
In society, and the probabilities arc that he
| Will continue 10 remain there to the end OF his
| life, unless ordered away by Mr.. Riley.
l. He continues TO use his secret entrance 4
the cellar, Notwithstanding door has beer
| cut TO II, and he sleeps on the same board tina
he first used as q hermits couch.
| when spoken to about his family he ap
peared 70 care nothing whatever about them-
only said that his Wife did not want him to e
| West. Mrs. Bryan has not yet heard OF hii
discovery, her friends thinking 1t best to keel
her In ignorance for while.
sporting Events.
The famous trotter st. Julian was brought
toa veterinary surgeon near Bay View, wis.
some time ago, TO be treated for a broker