The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-27
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Charlie Rogers, an old man who lives with
rs wife In canal boat ia Erie basln Brook
lyn. has learned the greatest secret of life
contentment. Rogers is said to be worth over
$4,000 and is a milionaire's cousin, yet he
lives In place like a packing box.
Although he is IS years old and might be
forgiven for wanting to take things easy, he
has never slept on shore. SO small is the
largest of the three rooms Of the Rogers
cabin that not more than four people could
stand in it. tall man would knock his
head against the ceiling. There is no luxury
about the place-not even an armchair. The
walls are Of Imprinted boards the windows
are innocent of curtains the floor is bare
and there are no pictures beyond a framed
certificate OF marriage; no clock, no books
no carpet, no furniture except deal table
and two chairs.
The bedroom" is "hole in the wall"
filed by a narrow berth. Here Rogers and
his wife have slept every night for many
years.
Up to last week, although the form of the
old man was familiar sight to people liv-
know anything about him. None q the
neighbors had been allowed in the Rogers
cabin when a Sunday World reporter learned
about them last week so it was with some
misgivings that he hired rowboat to call
upo/ the old couple.
The call was successful. Charlie Rogers
IS the cousin of Dennis Mccarthy, the best
known millionaire of Syracuse, and the re-
porter being acquainted with the millionaire
a friendship between Rogers and his wife
was Immediately struck up.
Yes, It's true; I've got money saved up
and put by said Rogers, land could live
in a house if wanted to. But wouldn't be
comfortable having so much room to spare
! Yves born in a canal boat cabin and have
lived in one all my life, and If l to take
up house TO live in I'd feel lonesome. Why,
I'd be like a fish on dry land
Rogers Is a short, stout man, with a long
white beard; he is never seen without his
worn blue yachting cap, while his short briar
pipe is held continually between his lips. His
head is as upright that of a man of 80,
and he demonstrated his strength by lifting a
heavy box OF steel tools and carrying it about
as though 1t were market basket He has
never been Ill day, and has a good appe-
tite. Notwithstanding his white beard Rogers
does not seem over So
II owe my good health. youthful appearance
and great strength to four things, said
coffee; second. 1 smoke about all the time;
third I eat only the simplest food; and, last
ly, have never lived on land. II your nerv-
Gus system is in good order you don't get TO
look old, and you don't die until you're over
100.
Il know that some people say smoking is
bad for the health. but 1t amt true. Chewing
is bad, but II fellow only Enokes a pipe
he keeps his nerves calm. When a man
smokes as l do he never gets impatient, is
never cross to his wife, never gets worried,
and is perfectly happy.
81 get my great strength by eating only
simple food-no salads, no mus ard pickles
and Worcestershire sauces.
Living on the water is the healthiest
thing in the world. There are no sewers to
make the air bad, no garbage cans to stand
in the front OF your house while the sun
makes It poison all The air. There being no
other house around the air Is always pure,
and 1t is cooler in summer than living in a
house and warmer IN winter"
Rogers has never Eeen 10 theater, never
reads newspaper or magazine, and although
he has passed New York dozen times q
year for nearly eight decades, and has long
lived within stones throw OF the Brooklyn
bridge. he has never seen the Bowery.
The Rogers couple have had no children,
but they celebrate their golden wedding In
January. In their fifty years Of married life
Mrs. Rogers can count the times she has
placed her foot ON dry land. She has prac-
ticalIy spent her life in packing case
When the reporter asked Mrs. Rogers how
she contriyed to kill time she replied that far
from having spare time on her hands, she did
not have enough leisure. You see" said
she, there's the breakfast that has to be
cooked. the dishes to be washed. and the bed