The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-02-01
SsstsrelIamu.
MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

JNIS1.AKEN IDENTITY.
The recent case in which The corpse
of drowned youth was mistaken for
that of another person, was paralleled
by one which occurred some time ago.
in the family of respectable jeweller
in the Strand: The tradesman we all
Jude to, had nephew, fine youth, Is
years of age, an apprentice, who was in
the habit Of going out every Sunday
morning in summer, without leave, to
battle in the Thames, and of taking with
him, as his companion, large New
foundiand dog belonging to the family.
His uncle frequently demonstrated with
him against this practice, particularly as
ii led him TO neglect his Sabbath duties,
as he never returned till after church
time and at length he promised not to
offend in this manner again. On the
following Sunday after the promise, he
got ready his Sunday dress, TO proceed
with the whole of the family to church;
but when they were about to depart he
was missing, as usual, and his Sunday
clothes found in his room laid out ready
to Put on, and he had, as he always did
before, gone out to battle, as they suppos-
ed, in his walking dress the Newfound-
land dog, his constant companion on those
occasions, was also missing. The youth.
however, did not return home at the
usual hour that he was accustomed 10
do, and the day passed away without
any tidiDgs of him. At night, however,
the Newfoundland dog returned, SEEM
Ingly IN very restless and uneasy mood.
out there was no account of him. The
family now became very uneasy, dread
ing that some accident had befalleD him.
add they made inquiry at all his friends
and acquaintances, but they could learn
no tidiogs Of him whatever, In this
state OF suspense two days passed away:
and on the third day they published
handbills all along the banks of the
Thames, and had the river dragged
from battersea TO London bridge, in
| hopes OF finding the body, which they
now had little doubt had been drowned.
6ut all to no irpose; there was still no
account of ii.
AT about the expiration of a fortnight.
the uncle received information that a
BODY answering in every respect the
description in the hand bills, had been
picked up at Charlton. between Green
wich and Woolwich, and lay there 10 be
owned. The uncle, and other relatives
OF the lost youth, Immediately repaired
TO Charlton, and on examining the body
picked up there, they all agreed that it
was that of their relation, particularly
as this body had a deformity of one fine-
er, exactly the same as the lost youth
was known to have had, and the working
dress ne had on precisely .correspopded
with the dress on this and moreover.
fellow-apprentice of the youths said.
mat on the day preceding his disappear
ance, the youth had cut to the quick the
nail on one of the toes of the right foot.
which made it bleed, and this was also
found to be the case with the body found
10 the river. No doubt remaining as to
the identity, the uncle ordered funeral.
and had the remains of his nephew. as
ne supposed, inferred in the church
yard at Charlton, aud wrote an account
of the whole melancholy affair 10 the
parents OF the youth, who resided at
Aberdeen, in Scotland, and the whole Of
the family lost no time in going into
mourning for their supposed deceased
relative. On the very first day, howey-
er, that his relatives at Aberdeen put on
their sable garments for the occasion.
what was their establishment and delight.
while sitting at tea in the evening. 10
see the supposed drowned youth walk in
amongst them, in good health and spir-
its. An :" eclaircissement," of course.
Immediately took place, by which it an.
peared that the youth, having violated
his promise TO his uncle, not to go TO
battle on the Sunday morning, was afraid
to, return, and having with difficulty
stole away from the Newfoundland dog.
he set out on foot for Aberdeen, without
shilling in his pocket; and having ar
rived as far as Sunderland almost siarv-
ed aud his shoes and stockings worn
through TO his feet, he was fortunate
enough to meet there with the captain
OF an Aberdeen smack, who knew his
parents, and seeing his distressed situa-
ton, gave him passage home to bis.