The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-09-24

must inevitably sink. Then came all the
horrible details ola shipwreck. The shrieks
| and groans, and rushing overheard of those
who were delirious in their agony. Mrs.
Bradlee, with mothers instinct, found her
way to the cabin of her little ones, and TAX
ing one on each shoulder, attempted to get
into the boat, in which some of the passen-
gers were trying to save themselves. The
side of the vessel was wet and slippery, and
her brain was dizzy. BY some false step
she lost her balance, and the children slip
ped from her embrace. One fell into the
water between the vessel and the boat; but
she kept hold of the others little robe with
convulsive grasp. Oh God in the confi-
sion of the moment the gown had merely
been thrown over the child-and when the
frantic mother would have clasped the little
one to her heart, she found but an empty
robe! There is no eloquence in language to
heighten the pathos of that heart rending
scene of desolation and despair
Boats and dumb-bells were sent out from
Quebec to pick up such passengers as might
have escaped the wreck; and Mrs. Bradlee's
next recollection is of standing on the sea
coast, alone in her misery. Several came
up and spoke kindly to her. One woman in
particular, addressing her in French, beg
ged her TO go home with her. Mrs. Brad
lee answered in French, and after some per-
suasion, consented to go home with her, ex-
claiming, "But let me be alone Let me be
Alone"
1t is here necessary to remark that there
were great number of poor Irish on board
the Rob Roy, who were, as usual, coming to
this country for employment. Mr.. Bradlee,
being a liberal, was of course friend to
these oppressed people,-and his widow,
cherishing his slightest opinions with the
fond reverence so natural to bereaved wo-
men, had ordered a large supply of proyis-
ions, and of little comforts for those who
should happen to be sick during the voyage.
These things she often carried to their cab
in herself, and frequently expressed to the
captain her anxiety that they should have
every thing that was necessary and conve-
nient.
The gratitude of these poor creatures was
almost unbounded-they absolutely wor-
shipped her and her children Those of
them who were saved were perpetually
around the door of her Canadian hosts, en-
quiring whether she were well, whether she
had her reason, and whether there was no.
thing poor Irishman could do to serve her.
Her reply to those enquiries constantly was,
she thanked them, but there was nothing
now to be done for her. At last an Irish
man asked if there was nothing he could do
for her in New England, where he was go
ing by the new route through the woods.
Her Imagination was instantly kindled-
I" New Haven is in New England" thought
she, sand I shall see my son." Her host
and hostess said every thing it was possible
to say to persuade her to desist from her
purpose; but she had all the obstinacy and
energy of insanity, and no earthly power
could detain her. Her host told her he
would see her on board a vessel under the
care of those who would not lose sight of her
till she reached New Haven, if she would
give up the design of going through the
woods but the allusion to a vessel made her
lips turn pale, and she would hold her tenn
pies, and shrek. Finding all entreaties use
less, her kind Canadian host furnished her
with coarse clothes, and strong shoes suita-
BILE for travelling in the wilderness. Mrs.
Bradlee's account of her journey through the
woods with the Irshmen, women and chill
dren, is very interesting. Nothing hut their
respect, could equal their kindness and at
tention. When their companion was weary,
or when a stream was to be crossed, they
would make palanquin of boughs and car
ny her; and when the insects were trouble
some, they would keep green houghs wav-
ing around her. In this manner she came
through the woods, treated with as much
tenderness and respect as if she had been a
beloved queen. But grateful as she felt for
these services, her sense of propriety taught
her that travelling Irshmen were improper
companions to be seen with her and as
soon as they came to settlements, she told
| them it would be best for them 10 separate
at the same time assuring them she should
remember their kindness to her dying day
How long she had been wandering about
when she first attracted attention in Nor.
! ridgewock, is uncertain. From her com
plant of suffering from the heat as she pass
ed through the woods, it must have been
several months. She said all she recollect-
ed was, that she frequently naked up and
| found herself bathing her head by the side
of some stream. Probably, the bewildered
creature had wandered back and forth with.
out knowing where she was going anC
when the water cooled the raging fire in hel
brain. she thought she had just awaked
Many who saw her, and heard her talk
were convinced she was no impostor. The
deadly paleness and sudden frenzy, which
all allusion TO the water occasioned; the
hurst of tears when the young children of the
| family attempted to caress her; the piercing
shrek she uttered when one of the children
appeared in little blue gown, which she
said was very like the one she had clasped
to her heart, when she thought she claspeC
her infant,--all proved that the distressing
tale was too true. Casual remarks and &C
cidentaI associations which no imposter car
counterfeit, were in good keeping with hel
story. She described La Grange, which she
said she had twice visited: circumstance