The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-06-11
shnnty.

On q bluff THAI rises a hundred feet tbov,
the Wissahickon, nestling among rocks ant
trees and rbrubOery, Is the home oil Michee
CarriGt, tha Capadian recluse. IL Ia m ole
cabin, aud its mosaic work OF boards ant
tin and thatch distinguibhes IL alike IRON
the quiet cotiag 0 OF Blue hill, on tbs south
md the humble habitations OF the people o
Bony hollow, on the north. The panos IL
the bulpiug windo N-frame ara cracked nnC
so is the old-lsshiontd chimney. but tbs
plot OF ground around the house looks fresh
and pretty with rows OF growing vegetablei
and flowers. Surrounding the COTTAGE the
scenery 10 fine. Away 10 the northeast,
glistening through the trees, 10 Nom Rink
er's rock, with the colossal statue OF Penn
Gaping its topmost point. Beyond is Ger
mnntowp. In the valley 10 struggling Wis
sahiokon, aud u mile or more away are rus
tic Roxborough aud grimy Manayu
Rit~tenhousetuwn, with It's old church and
older houses, plays hide apd-seek among
tho trees behind the protecting shadow oi
Blue hill. In the east tho city 10 hidden
behind the trees, but under tine clear sky
tho OF Lsurel Hill and Mount
Vernon sls On in the disiauce.
A visitor yesterday ratified tho door OF
the dilapidsi,d cottage, and n moment Ia
ter 1t was cautiously opened and q little,
Wjzened old man showed his face.
"Is this Michel Carriat's house,"
The old mana bead-iike eyes twinkled
restleesly as he stfove TO divine the object
Of the iptruder's visit.
"Yes," he answered, finally.
"Anu you are"
michel Carrat."
"The hermit"
A CLEAN Of resentment flashed into his
"Whom people call the hermit" he ssid.
The old man turned ard put hig hand up
on the door.
"Have you any business with me-" he
asked, sharply.
EYES; may l come in?"
mo one ever comes here" he said, sus.
piciously. Then, ohuckltpg to himself and
running his bony fingers through his long
hair, he Continues: People are AFRAID OF
me-afraid of an old man because he hap
pens to like his own company better ttan
that OF anyone else. You're not airaidf"
turning suddenly TO the visitor.
without waiting for an answer he led the
way into the shanty. A dilapidated stove
in the correr was putting q volume OF pine
wood smoke into the room, and over the
fame the kettle was bummiLg. A table
and o pair of chairs made from barrels and
bound with strips OF cloth were the orly
furniture in the room, but the floor vas
Uttered with curious odds and ends. and on
the wall q fint-lock musket, with powder
horns and a rusty cutlass with a pair OF
rustier spurs, gave the place an air OF war.
Under the stove an emaciated cat blinked
in wonder at the intruder.
"Sit down-sit down." said the old man,
waving his hand toward one OF the barrel.
chairs. Standing at the table and looking
down ct the visitor with mingled curiosity
and impatience, The recluse presented q
striking appearance. His long hair gave to
the already pale face a strangely cadaverous
look. With his bonv fingers he necessarily
pushed the hair from his forehead, and as
constantly brushed it back over his brow
and into his eyes again. Hisform was bent
and his clothing di~lapidAted.
"You have lived ell alonsi" was asked.
"Yes; why shouldn't II" almost
"Fcr 3 long timer"
"Yes; but why do You wish to know2
You oan have no interest In knowing, Then,
- II influenced by . sudden resolution:
II you really want to 2 III ten you;
into the ~ground-or rather the shanty that
preceded It, for the old place has been blown
down once and worn out once-was twenty.
o years ago. I've been here ever SINCE"
"Ivs . long time"
"Yes. but not 90 long 70 . man who
hate the world and its people 81 DO"
"YeS. hates them. Would You have me
70 ovcr . story Of wrong and oppres.ion-.a
happy youth and O brighter manhood
wealth, prosperity, love-bliehted by the
perddy OF . woman and the connivance OF .
hsllish world 2"
The face OF the recluse became white
betWeen his teesh. Hall rising he clinched
his hst and brouaht 1t down on the table
with . crash.
"Ssy:' be almost shrieked, "if you were
such Z man would you find Il hard to live
for twenty years asay from people you de-
rpise and who despise you because thsy
csn not understand what . crushed life isr'
and chuckliug and bubbling over with dia.
.boiIcol delight, they call me Old Nick
md tha Old Man Of the Woode,' and say l
m q hermit and . recluse, aud whisper
ARK things about me aud Keep TIE chill
lren 10 The houss Waen l come IN s,ent'