The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-21

the love affairs Of the old man in days
gone by. He had been warned against
this, for 1t was said by those who knew
that the moment Devices heard the
name of woman mentioned metamor-
phosis would take place. What had been
predicted came to pass. Devices shot
one swift glance at his interlocutor.
Woman, woman!" he Kissed between
his teeth. 1.-THE curse of mankind, the
ruination Of man. I have made a vow
never to look on woman's face again.
have kept my VOW and death to the
woman who will cross my path while
| am here"
The Hyde in the man had been
aroused He stood in the full stature
of his more than six feet, like some
avenging force, and that love affair
had been in his life was evident.
A glimpse was afforded of the interior
of the hut, but the darkness was SO in
tense that only when a match was
struck was revealed a squalor almost
indescribable. A piece Of bagging was
the only bed and covering; barrel the
only kind Of furniture that stood on the
bare ground.
Devices lived on herbs and nuts and
other things that could be found in the
field and forests. Once in while some
neighbors would bring the old man some
food. But he did not crave it.
They say in the vicinity of Lafayette
that the old man was prophetic on more
than one occasion. He was well versed
in the Bible and could recite page upon
page of scripture. But money was his
subject in conversation, and the men
ton of woman would bring on mis-
paroxysms of rage.
And then came the final chapter in the
old mans intercourse with the world
They found him one morning on the rail-
road track. He was placed on train
coming to Philadelphia and put off at
Manayunk for removal to ST. Timothys
hospital But the police noticed his con-
dition and an order from court brought
about his removal to Norristown. He
has no relatives. At least none has Of
Tered to come to his assistance.
After his departure from his nut the
rumor spread about that the old man
had a treasure in hiding and that it
would be worth the while to make a
raid. Some one made the attempt one
night, but it is safe to say that nothing
was found. Devices had constantly on
his person a bundle Of papers which the
authorities found to be of no value. His
dress was as odd as his character. He
used to wear five vests and three coats,
together with half a dozen Shirts He
was of powerful physique, and even in
his Midtown condition gave evidence
OF having been the handsome man that
those who knew him in the prime said
he had been.
His is one of the strangest cases shat
has ever come to our notice. said one
OF the NorristoWn hospital physicians in
answer to an inquiry. ''Dewees refuses
absolutely to eat. We have to force a
tube down his throat and give him milk
IN that manner. He would starve to
death otherwise. Another peculiar fact
about him is that he has scarcely
spoken word since coming here. They
tell me he was great talker before.
The changed condition is accounted for
only on the ground of changed environ
ments. Civilization, as is the case of a
savage, has proved too great for him."
Joseph the Prophets career as her
nit mas come to an end, and Lafayette
almost feels the loss of what the resi-
dents termed the strangest character in
the state by virtue of his eccentricities.
Joseph Devices need no longer fear the
race OF woman to turn him into a Mr..
Hyde.