The herald., 1897-02-13
TASTED TH|RTY.SEVEN DAYS
A Religious Enthusiast and His
Strange Purpose
NOW TERRIBLY EMACIATED
Unable to Tell the Duration of His
Abstinence
Mysterious Stranger whose Antecedents Are
nysterv and Who Seeks
But Solitude

riety and likewise gathering in the
shekels Of the curious, as has been ex-
emplified by Dr. Tanner and Succi, is one
thing; fasting through compulsion, is
is undergone by the poverty stricken, is
another, while abstinence from food
through religious conviction, suffering
day after day the pangs of hunger in
silence merely because of a fixed pur-
pose to carry out Indefinitely if neces-
sary a command from on high, is still
a third form which requires the utmost
steadfastness Of purpose to pursue to a
conclusion.
In room No. AZ of the Hotel vogel at
the corner of Seventh street and
Broadway there is at present young
man apparently about 20 years of age,
who has not tasted food for thirty seven
days past, and cannot at present put
any limitation upon the duration of his
fast Shrinking from notoriety, it was
only when the remarkable case was re-
ported to the police in the fear that the
man might die, that anything became
known, and what has become public
was learned, not from his lips, but from
persons who have interested themselves
in the erratic faster.
VII 4NONClilOCl TN ldolb d llliC lOOhiuto
stylishly dressed young man registered
at the hotel as Robert Gardner, and ad-
dress as Chicago. There was nothing
unusual in his demeanor, and he staid
on from week to week, making few ac-
Quaintances, and seeming to prefer TO
be left alone. Many speculations were
indulged in by the other guests of the
house as to who and what the stranger
was, but he vouchsafed little informa-
ton.
AT one time in conversation with G. H.
Smith, the manager Of the hotel, he said
that his home was in the far east but
that he had come direct to Los Angeles
from Chicago. He seemed well supplied
with money and always paid his bills
with promptitude.
One day he borrowed a Bible from
Mrs. Smith, saying that he desired to
study a map of the Holy Land, and
from that day to the present he has re-
tanned the volume, spending much of his
time in its perusal. On the evening Of
January 7th last Gardner sent for Mr.
Smith to come to his room and informed
him that he could not pay his rent He
owed nothing at the time, but wished to
inform his landlord that he was unable
at the time to advance his rent, but that
if allowed time he would see that every
thing was paid.
that Gardner appeared i'll, although he
said nothing to any one. He had been
in the habit of eating at small restau-
rant and delicacy store on Broadway be-
tween Fifth and Sixth streets, run by a
Mrs. Ross. One evening she came to
the hoted to inquire after Gardner and
ascertain why he no longer came for his
meals. She had thought perhaps he had
left the city but she was assured other
,x-;ca Smith my adia te1V pOncl1I0-
ed that his lodger being penniless, was
going without food rather than ask for
assistance, and when Gardner came in
asked him about it, offering to aid him
if possible.
Gardner finally admitted that he had
rot eaten any food since January 9th
and did not desire any. He was veg
etarian and for some time had eaten
but one meal day in preparation for
a fast, which he had begun and intended
to carry out. Pressed for his motive
he merely vouchsafed the information
that he was carrying out fixed purpose,
and in due time would explain all. He
had no intention of starviIg himself to
death and while his appearance might
indicate that he was weakening, he fel!
all right and had never been stronger
in his life.
With this Mr.. Smith was perforce con-
tent, although he several times after
ward endeavored to induce Gardner to
accept a little nourishment, only to be
refused The faster during the first
three weeks of abstinence moved about
in an ordinary manner, spending much
of his time in Westlake park. One after
noon Mr. Smith was called up over the
telephone by one of the park policemen
who inquired whether or not such per-
son as Gardner was stopping at the ho-
tel. He said that for a week past the
young man had spent nearly all day
lounging on the grass, which was Otter
damp and unhealthy. and acting in 8
peculiar manner, as though partially
demented
The officer was assured that Gardner
was harmless and thus the matter
passed off
Meantime the faster had daily been
growing weaker and more emaciated
until at last, fearing that he might pos
sibly die suddenly, Mr.. Smith decided
to notify the police. Captain Roberts
interested himself in the case and De-
tective Bradish interviewed the man
To all inquiries Gardner made but one
reply, that he had a purpose, and as
there seemed nothing to be done he was
allowed his own way. When the late
rains came on Gardner ceased his visits
to the parks and for over two weeks has
not left the hotel
A large hearted German woman