The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-08-02
A FEMALE HERMIT.
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 Miss Nancy Luce, saysa Boston paper, IS a resident of Tisbury, on the island of Martha's Vineyard The house in which she was born her parents occupied, and since their death Nancy has lived in it alone. It is situated about three-quar- ters of mile from the village of West Tisbury and is fanled on either side by a grove of trees. Nancy is regarded as a natural curiosity, and one of the first tnps the visitor to the Vineyard under takes is visit to her hermitage, In her early youth she was peculiar child, it is said, and was looked upon by the neigh boss as a sort of natural" As she grew to womanhood, her only com panions were . mamie goat and her hone, wild creature whom she alone had ridden. Her equestrian performan- oes were rem markable for the daring and skill they displayed, and are even nov we'll remembered.
 When . young woman Nancy suddenly shut herself up in her room and refused to see even her parents for long time
 Different causes were assigned for this act. Some say that Nancy had a lover, whose name was also Luce. Archie was sailor, and owing to some lovers quarrel, he departed suddenly on a long voyage without bidding Naacy farewell. His ship was never sighted after she left port on dark, cloudy morning. Months after she had gone narrow strip of board with gilt moldings and letters was washed ashore on the west side of the island. where some one found it and deciphered the word Arethusa.' It was the name of Archie Luce's ship. They carried i, to Nancy.
 Then about this time her goat died. and this latter bereavement greatly added to her grief. This attachment in itself was not curious, bu, the effect of the goats death upon her was a great sur prise to 'he village folk. While her par ents lived she declined to see any one for long time: but after their death she was of necessity forced to have more or less to do with the outside world, and gradually became accustomed to receiv- ing visits.
 ;t is no. thirty-hye or forty years since their death, and she has resolutely refused to allow any one to share her home with her, its only other inmates being COW and few hens. These oc. cupy several rooms of the mansion. a porch, and a quadrangle adjoining. Her principal occupation is carng for these hens and the COW, which supply her chief support. Report of her eccentricity drew many visitors, and it is favorite render yous for pic-nics and holiday enjoyment for the islanders as well.
 Whether she is as crazy as she seems now IS doubtful, as she certainly exhibits a general method of procedure, and to degree which sends some of her visitors away with the idea that she is not a pic tuiesque lunatic at all. or course Nancy has been more or less advertised. One circumstance in particular which has aided her in this direction is the fact tha, Luce IS common name on the island. and there have been several Nancys. So that several times the death of Nancy Luce, the only and original" etc, has been reported, with more or less of her history added. This story of course is denied to some extent, and altogether adds considerably to her notoriety. Her strange points are hens and religion. and on these subjects she exhibits a rational reasoning and consistent experience. Her religious developments is something which is marked characteristic, of many others in her peculiar condition, but her erudition in the other is unprecedented in gallinary annals. Her reverence and attachment for her fowls is certainly the most remarkable of her thousand oddi. ties. At the graves of three of the most prized of her favorites arc placed head stones, with inscriptions thereon. Oripi- nal! Yes. Nancy is an authoress, and has published book containing her re- cipes for the treatment of hens diseases. the epitaphs above mentioned, some re. iigious poetry" and clever paraphrase of the Golden Rule.
 She occupies two rooms of her house. her COW third, and her hens the fourth and the cellar. These dumb creatures, :" as she calls them, are her special pets and friends. The apartment allotted to the hens as sleeping-room is fitted with hunks wish curtains drawn in front. Still another room is allotted to the hens for laying. This is provided with barrels hlled with hay for the purpose. The cows apartment is provided with a bed of husks across one side of the room, separated from the remainder of the room by cleat nailed to the door. Per haps the reader may imagine tha, the house does not look nea, in conseouence of this innovation upon the usual cus- toms Not so, however. Even the floor of the cows apartment is as white as if just scrubbed. The apartments of the hens also are exceedingly neat, showing great care. These hens are her friends. and have all been named by their owner, The following are some of the names, as published in her book of poems 1" ' Teddle Toonua,r Phebea Peadeo.'' !. Leboole Ticktuzy," |" Phe-endy Tutal- ] ly," Jafy Metreatie," 1" "Shanggo-reamy Meleany," etc. These number eighteen. i several years ago two of these pets died i after a lingering illness. These were named Ada Queetie and Beauty Lirmy. They were quite aged. and on I their disease she wrote quite a lengthy obituary bewaiknp their i,nt;r,~lv dca,h