Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-05-16
NETWORK POLICE OFFICE.

"
On Saturday last, sharp faced, bIear eyed,
thin woman, shabby dressed in dark brown
peIlsse and old straw hat of the ias century,
by name Mrs. Clarke-was brought up TO the
Police on the charge Of abducting young girl
four years ago, and OBTAINING her, contrary 10
the wishes of her father and her friends She
led the girl by her hand; and sweeter face,
or more intelligent continuance, is seldom seen
in any rank of life She was arrayet in the
same ragged elegance as her prolrecress, or
rather abduo,ress. She is about eigh years OF
age, and lost her mother some years ago. Her
uncle, respectable grocer Of this city, came
with Them, but the little Mary Ann shrunk
from him, and nestled. ever and anon, under
the rags Of her she called mother,
On inquiry being made OF the woman by Mr..
Hopson, she told hrm, in language and rapidity
Of nteraace that far outsui7ped Hilson a. Paul
PRIV, the history OF the abduction how the
little girls mother was a drunken woman
how she took the girl out Of chari,y-ho she
had protected her for The last four years-how
her heart yearned to it with mothers at
sec,ion-how she could MOI think of separa-
ton, sc. &c. All this time he gml stood by
and looked up into her coun,enance with the
deepes, interest. WHAT'S your name ? asked
MIR Hopson. My name is Clarke said she,
6 Mrs Clarxe-I am from Philadelphia am
well known there Are you no, an author
ess? You look like one (These justices
know every thing) Why, yes, wrote, one
summer, the Life OF Ann Carson, in PhiadeI
pha.' 'She got $500 for it, said one Of the
officers, and she has written this work. said
he, handing ou, pamphlet entitled Reason
". Prejudice, or Morgan refu,ed by Mason's
Daughter
Mr.. Hopson put on his spsctacles, and look
ed at the work. Are you aware said he,
{ that this affair looks like a Morgan abduc-
ZION ? Mrs. Clarke then entered into the logic
of the thing, and denied itih toto. Do you
know Mrs Royal !? asked one Of the officers.
: have heard Of her. said Mrs Clarke ; she
ia politician and a Jackson man. am an
Adams man. supported the late virruous adj
minislration.' sWhat do you do now ".'I
fold books for living
The whole party was then direo ted to pro-
coed to the Commissioner of the Ain, House,
in order to decide who should have the little
girl. They approached The Commissioner in
much the same style they had the police Office.
By this time the aunt Of The little girl, very
respec table looking woman. arrived, TO voueh
Commissioner, Mrs. Clarke ,old The same sto. y
as she did in the Police Office, but with an in
creased velocity Of ulterance that distsnced
every thing we ever heard YET she was dis
tincl, correct, and intrllgible. The Commits
siouer pIocst ded TO examine The girl, who was
now separated from her supposed mother. At
every reply the child looked across The table
up in The face Of Mrs. Clarke, TO find cue TO
what she should say. The Commissioner find
ing this, ordered the woman outside. When
her influence was thus removed, HE girl gave
very ingenious and interes ing replies, yet cou-
pied with the ou!bre akings of the deepest affec-
ton for her supposed mother.
Did you ever 60 begging 10 the City
Hall" %! yes said she, with great inno-
cence, my ma,her sent me- Did your mo.
Their ever lock you up in room ? Yes, sir,
but she only locked ME up in the day time
This is your uncle, said the Commissioner,
pointing to Mr. Lee, won't you go with him?'
cont know him. said She shrinking back
while a tear started 10 each eye, wan, TO 60
with my mother But that woman is not
your molher-she is bad woman saio the
Commissioner. She Amt bad woman said
the child, with degree of energy, she Amt,
size sint bad woman The Commissioner
remarked the singular influence the woman had
obtained over the chiId-amounting to the
strongest degree Of filialiove. If you will 60
with your uncle said the Commissioner, he |
viii dress you, send you TO school, and take care
Of YOU So will my MOTHER said the child,