HERMIT IN DISTRESS

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 68, 17 September 1927, Page 9

HERMIT IN DISTRESS

TOO MUCH PUBLICITY

(United Press Association.—Copyright.)

(Sydney Sun Cable.)

LONDON", 16th September. The "Daily Mail" publishes further particulars about, the Essex hermit, James Mason, said to have lived for fifty years with his brother in a sort of jungle retreat away from humanity on account of his being jilfied by a girl half a century ago. The-first sight of a woman for fifty years left the hermit in a state of nervous distress. The hermit's visitor said she was his former sweetheart. Following the "Daily Mail's" map, she penetrated Mason's retreat. The hermit's brother, Thomas, hearing a woman's voice in the hut, was so alarmed and bewildered that he rushed for assistance, plunging through two miles of ploughed fields, and implored the aid of a neighbouring farmer and his foreman. The trio, after failing to locate a policeman, scrambled through the fortifications and discovered the woman in the hut, still, conversing with Mason, who was obviously upset. According to the woman's story she askod the hermit if he would like to go to London. Ho replied that he would, but only with her. The trio finally persuaded her to leave.