The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-19
MEN WHO LIVE In SOLITUDE,
ON LONELY TSLETS, ON PLANTA-
YIONS, IN GREAT CITIES.
Thousands scattered About Who Have
Fallen Under the Thrall Of SolitudeN-An
ocean Island Hermit - The SOLITARY
Lie OF jana lca--A New York Case.

0r the morning after the wreck put up IN
I'll pole on the seashore and tied his shirt
o. in order to attract the notice of passing
ssi,a. For months or years he lived upon
IN, ISLAND. utterly miserable because he
was isolated from bis kind, and when at
last the long -looked-for sail rose above the
horizon he went nearly mad with Joy
While sticking 20 facts. the novelist
might very easily show another Kind OF
Robinson Crlsoe, one who grew to love his
island solitude and hated the idea OF IeaN-
Ing it and mixing with his fellow men again.
Everybody who has travelled in out-of-
the-way places knows that solitude has
wonderful fascination over almost all
mon after they have experienced tfor some
little time anr: got over its strangenesS.
There are thousands of men III various parts
Of the world who live lives as solitary as
that Of Robinson CrIsor simply because
they prefer such an existence 10 the society
OF heir fellows.
The captain of a West Indian banana
steamer tells curious story Of an adventure
which happened TO him when he was the
frst mate OF British tramp.
On a voyage from Cape Town TO Wei
tington. New Zealand his vessel passed
close 10 a cora! isiet. Looking through his
telescope, he saw white man, clothed IN
rags, standing or the beach knowing the
place to I've desert island. the captain
concluded that the man was castaway,
and sent boat ashore under command
Of the first mate to rescue him
As soon a. he saw the boat leave the
shp's side the man ran away into the Jungle
which cpvered most Of the isiet. Think
ing he was mad, the boats crow searched
Tor half an hour, until they found him con-
sealed beneath some bushes.
Come along, my man, said the mate,
gently and soothingly. "Why did you
run away? We want to take you home
II do not wish to GO" replied the man,
In an educated, refined voice Il shall
aot 90 unless / am carried. | came here
ten years ago because wished to he alone
and quiet. / have everything l wish for,
hank you. except solitude at this present
moment Pardon me if seem inhospitable.
but will you be good enough to take what
you want and go away? | may explain
.hat the craving for solitude is almost
monomania with me-
But why on earth did you run way?'
asked the mate, in amazement. I'm sure
We don't want to take you If you don't want
20 come"
You are more considerate than most
people, then" was the reply. "Severa
ships have stopped here during the last ten
years. and usually the captains seemed
Inclined to take me away by force. They
thought me mad, which am not. only
escaped alb, .uction last time by hiding"
Can we do anything for you? Provis-
Ions? Tools? Books?" the mate asked.
The man smiled
You are very kind. he said. sbut have
all require. have read all the books
I wish TO read. have not opened a book
since left Oxford, eleven years ago"
But how do you pass the time?" he was
asked.
In my leisure moments usually write
poetry 1t would be very kind Of you
to give me some pens, ink and paper.
My last supply, secured from a German
war ship which happened to call here. is
almost exhausted"
Writing materials were given him, and
a. they parted the mate asked:
"Can I take any message to your people
at home? Things may have happened
which would induce you to return"
den tragedy in my life has driven me TO
this place. was the answer. IL am here
simply because prefer it and do not con-
template ever wishing to return
few weeks ago an American passed
Sombrero Island on a voyage from Trini-
on which the British Government main
tains lighthouse and is the most northerly
of the Caribbean islands.
What a lonely spot for lighthouse
keeper!" exclaimed a passenger. He
must be a miserable man"
"Not at ALL said one Of the ships Of
ficers. He enjoys it. He's the only
man on the island and he never cares to
leave it.
He's been there for years and absolutely
refuses to take a wife or mate to live
with him. He Is entitled 10 regular holt
days but he won't take them
1.-The Government, fearing that ne will
20 mad, almost begs him to take change
now and then, but he always says he'd
rather stay. Once he was persuaded
TO go to Anguilla for a months holiday.
"Ang,iilla is a tiny island with about
think it the quietest place on earth. But
in less than a week the lighthouse keeper
said there was too much noise and hustle,
and went back to Sombrero.'
This man passes the time by tanning
the seabirds that swarm around the light
BOuss' ne 1'ScS tiieitt Dc'ttl .th"h HIS
fellow men.
In the island Of Jamaica there are scores
of Englshmen, Americans and Scots
men leading lives almost as solitary as
if they were on desert island. They
are the planters or overseers Of coffee,
fruit, and cocoa estates.
"They live in the great house of the plan
tati0n, as the negroes call il, and their
nearest white neighbor lives perhaps
twenty or thirty miles away Most of
them are young unmarried men, but some
are gray-bearded veterans of solitude,
who have lived alone all their days and could
not live any other way.
They frequently do not see another white
face for weeks. or even months, at time.
There il nothing 10 prevent them from
mixing with their kind, il they choose.
In the country districts OF Jamaica
somebody is always giving ball or dinner
or a tennis party. All that man has to
do, If he tires Of his own company, is to
saddle his pony and ride ten or twenty miles
welcomed in the hospitable creole fashion,
music and conversation.
But the man of solitude prefers to sit on
his own veranda after dinner, smoke his
cigar and try to count the freflies fitting
through the chocolate trees. This he does
year after year until he becomes an old
man.
Il went out to dinner last week" said
one Of these CrlIsocs of the bush. First
time for over year Id left the plantation.
Wish | hadn't.
"Gocd dinner, charming people. Dear
Cd lady, the mother; nice girls, too;
played me Mendelssohns Consolation