THE SIMPLE LIFE.

Waipukurau Press, Issue 280, 9 July 1908, Page 7

THE SIMPLE LIFE.

0 In a wood about thirty miles from London lives an old man who for twenty years has known no other roof than an umbrella, ft Seated under a large, carriage • umbrella amid the pine trees, making ready for his tea, he was seized upoii the other day by the übiquitous interviewer. Close by was a perambulator packed with miscellaneous goods, including several umbrellas, clothing, etc. The old man, who is an ex-soldier, looked in excellent health. “ Twenty years ago I took to the woods, he said. “ During the great snowstorm a few weeks ago I slept soundly, and when I woke up in the morning I was covered with snow many inches deep. But I am never ill. I have not had a day’s illness in my life. I have lived a simple, single life, and I have no more worry than that tree has. I have no rates and taxes to pay ; I have no wife to bother me, and I have plenty of friends. How do I live ? Well, all the village people know me, and they provide me with tea and bread. A man does not want much to live on, you know. lam quite happy under my old umbrella. I can sew as well as a tailor, and I mend all my clothes. I have several changes of clothing in my 1 motor ’ (referring to the perambulator). I have clean shirts, socks, boots and other things there. 1 have my bath in the woods and wash my things here. No one ever interferes with me. I never light a fire, and I never ask for money. When darkness comes on I put up my big umbrella, take my boots off, put my legs into a sack, and cover myself up with clothing, on top of which I place this mackintosh, I tie my perambulator to my legs or aim. and settle down for the night.