The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-12
MUSIC IN HIS SOUL
Johannes Ouvert, Hermit
of the Water Front.
HIS HOME ON AN OLD HULK.
He Tells of His Parents and Inability to
Establish His Birthright-
dering in America.

Down on the harbor front where the
wind blows fresh from the sea uncontami-
mated with unpleasant "reminiscences OF
sewers and garbage piles little Frenchman,
Johannes Ouvert, lives the life Of hermit,
not the traditional hermit. but one with
Clearly habits and music in his soul, around
whose gentle life hangs mystery.
He lives on the rear part of the deck Of
the old OriZaba that once was one of the
feet of steamers on the Panama route in
the golden days of California, but now ly-
ing beached with bow to the dock to serve
as a breakwater against the ravages of the
sea, dismsnted aud bulwarks gone, mere
hulk.
A flat-ro0fed shanty OF rough boards is
built on the stern where he lives. and he has
erected on the top of it an old ships cook
galley which he calls his bedroom. He enters
il by ladder through the floor, and has
the southeast side open, through which he
can catch the fresh breeze blowing off the
harbor and see the rising sun.
Here he leads his quiet life. his simple
wants supplied by the kindness Of some
wealthy families to whom he has beco me
known, occupying himself in keeping his
little home clean and neat and In his leisure
playing exquisitely old-fashioned music on
an old mandolin, his only companion.
He wears a short, dark beard, slightly
sprlnkled with gray, his dark hair Is
brushed back from high white forehead
and falls thin and wavy on the back OF his
neck, he has clear olive complexion, there
is mild pleading look In his eyes Of brown,
with mixture of deep blue, giving an ex-
ceeding gentle expression TO his features,
which dlspels any look Of strength Of char
scter that the largeness Of the nose might
otherwise indicate, his voice Is soft and
musical The men around the dock call
him simple and he avoids them as much as
he can.
He frequently takes his mandolin and
sallIes forth after dark and serenades IN
troubadour fashion the ladies Of wealthy
families lie knows, to VIII ON he IS always
welcome visitor. They call him PRO
lessor" and he makes the evening delight
full to them with his gentle playing and
singing.
He says it Is In ladies' company where he
is nappiest, and he seeks II whenever he can
do so without annoying them.
He saws he Is the son of a Swiss girl and
wealthy and noble French Count. who he
claims were married secretly. After his
birth he was brought to Paris, there he was
taken In charge by some ladies and taught
TO play the mandolin. for which he early
showed an unusual aptitude, and they en-
ployed him in playing the mandolin and
singing for their amusement during their
leisure hours. For time In his childhood
he was dressed in girls clothes and acted as
a sort OF lady's maid to them. lie was
afterward removed TO London and supported
there till he grew TO a young man.
In the meantime his father, the Count.
ignoring his private marriage with the
Swiss girl, became engaged to and married
a lady of high station and wealth and by
her had children and died.
When he became informed who his father
was and of his death he made an effort 10
assert his rlght 10 the title aud family es-
tates, but, owing 10 the strong opposition OF
the family of the second marriage and his
inability TO establish the marriage OF his
mother, he was unsuccessful. When he
found he had failed be came to America.
He says lie has been across the continent
twice, and as far north as British Columbia,
once travelling all the way on foot, carrying
his mandolin with him, avoiding cities ana
playing from house to house Of the farmers
through the country. He says his life was
q most pleasant one, and farmers families
treated him with great kindness.
When asked why he did not live up 1.-THE
city he said he had tried IT, but found that
in his poverty there he was compelled 10
| live in districts where the air was impure
and reeking with offensive od0rs. and the
people were bad and tricky and d sposed TO
trouble him, ''but here" said he as ne gave
comprehensive wave oil his mana, Il nave
the pure sea air, | am not confined within
| narrow limits, and DO one comes here TO
annoy me or interfere with me except the
boys that come up here sometimes to play,
but" he added with tender induigent
smile which showed his fondness for them,
"thev do not bother me. and | am left 10
my music, which l love ana draw my COM
fort in life from.
ION the deck OF this old, WORKOUT ocean
ship, so closely associated with the pioneer
days of California. when heI history be-
gan, / fad a higher elevation to my
thoughts and a new inspiration 10 the
music feel within me, and the quietness of
my surroundings, the murmuring of the
wind, the roar of the storm and the sound
Of the waves are undiSturbed by discnTdant
tumnlts as / sit on this deck. trodden by
the many feet now silent, belonging 10 the
specters of the past, and play on my old
mandolin and slug TO its music"
he has been living on the old hulk for six
or seven years and does not look forward to
any Improvement in his condition, and has
no desire TO change it, said he. III do not
envy the wealthiesi man in the world; all
require is sufficient food and clothing and to
be left alone with my mandolin as my