Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1836-01-28
From the Boston DlOrning Post.
A SCENE OF THRILLlNG INTEREs

""'" Oi "h'ch philosophy and experience
unite 10 confirming; nor are its unhappy ef-
fects merely confined to the guilty agent, as a
most distressing example. exhibited in cour,
yesterday, will illustrate.
A short time since lad. named David B.
Bragg, offered some second hand hooks for
sale at the g. Antique Book Store, ia Corn
hill, kept by Mr. Burnhsul. where they "rFe
recognised as being hooks stolen from Mr.. S.
Il. brakes store, next door. The boy was If
| course arrested. and implicated two other Lads
as his OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES and Michael o.
Bripn-brOthers-thef former 12. the latter 9
years Of age. The boy Bragg was ordered
to recognise for his appearance at the NUM-
cipal court in the sum Of $40, and wsrrant
| issued against the O. Briens, who were brought
up yesterday, and. having confessed their
privity to the theft, were also required to
| give bonds, aud ordered to be committed to
Jail for the want thereof. The mother of the
two brothers, widow, was present, but did
not utter a syllable till the examination was
concluded and the result announced, when
she arose from her seat, and asked what they
were going to do with her boys.
They must go TO Jail. unless they can be
bailed." replied three or four voices. My
children shall not go to iail-they are limo
cent" she answered. "That must he for a
| jury to determine" was all the notice her
remark elected. She thea moved 10 the d.
rectiOn Of her boys, and said" IL you take
them to Jail, you shall take me with Them"
Don't 60 to making fuss about it; they will
he taken care Of" said the officer, interposing
to prevent her approach to them, but she Gid
ed by his side, and folding her cloak around
her boys, stood literally like the hen gather
! ing her hro"d under her wings. Apprehend-
ing conflict. yet unwilling to resort in the
first instance to physical force, the officers es-
sayed the art Of persuasion, hut were unable
! to prevail over her prejudees by the beati
tudes Of the prison they SO pathetiealy por-
trayed. The more they argued. the more
she wouldn't be convinced and the louder
they called upon the boys to quit her. the
more firmly they chung to her waist, gill it be-
came apparent they could not be removed
without a sCuffle.
The officer laid hands on one Of them, but
was actually driven from his ground by the
screeches Of the boys, and the shrieks Of the
mother. Two officers then advanced toward
them with words Of honey on their lips, but
with bars and bolts in their hearts. and that
they welt knew, and again compelled a re-
| treat by the mere power Of their yelIs. 1t
was now evident that the prisoners must be
permitted to go at large, the process "f the
law nuIlified ny svvr1chlflcatiou, ,;vse"~o
and main strength be called into action. A
fierce struggle now took place. With the
ienacity Of a tiger, the mother grasped the
boys, and they fastened upon her like young
wild cats, and the whole three set up a min
gled howl Of horrible distress, that was truly
appalling. Several times tho hands OF the
officers were upon the boys. but she as often
wrenched them back again. Now facing to
the right. and then to the left, she kept them
| at bay. till. by the velocity Of one other evo-
buttons. she unfortunately flung the younger
| lad, that elung to her back, aside upon the
floor. Being thus detached from his frantic
defender. he fell an easy prey to his enemy.
and was instantly led off. She had now but
one to protect. and with indomitahle strength.
agility, and courage, she maintained her re-
sistance, and disputed every inch, utterly re.
gardless. or unconscious that the tastenings
Of her apparel had nearly all given way in the
encounter.
The ribbon with which her cloak was tied
beneath her chin remained faithful the long.
est. but that at last proved treacherOus. and
with it fell all her hopes of rescuing her only
son. BY the suLdrnness Of one of her lateral
turches. the little fellows grippe was broken.
and, perceiving himself disengaged. he seized
her by the cloak. Atthis moment the moth
er was inclined backward, and was only sup
ported from falling by her cloak. held BY the
hoy. who also stood in similar attitude op-
pUsite. A constable now attached his weight
to the boys rear, and after pulling and hsd'
ing some seconds, "split the difference" be-
tween the mother and son, drawing with him
the cloak. aud the mother falling prOstratson
the floor. by the force Of Sravitation. She
fel! her whole length. ard heavily, andap-
peared to be somewhat stunned by the faIAnd
before she could rise, her last boy was con-
signed to his cell.
Perceiving that her desperate struggle had
been unavailing, she endeav Ored to regain her
cOmposure. and adjust her dress: but her ag-
Ony was too narrowing to exist wjthOutsOme
external note. and though speechess and un-
observsnt Of the place and its functiODares,
she commenced clapping her hands, in the
very evaporation Of despair. Twice did the
order TO leave the court fall unheedingy up
90 her ear. hat the third summons she obey.
ed. and. as all present supposed left the prem
isss. But five minutes after she was discOv-
cred, lying senseiess. just beyond tho door,
and, upon bsing moved. she fell into eonyul.
sions. with foam and blood gushing Out If
her mouth. As soon 40 u carriage could be
obtained she was removed in some degree
revived and pacifed.
By this time, the excitement and curiosity
occasiOned by the siDgulsr contest which had
taken place had in some degree sutsidrd. and
the spectator had leisure 10 reject upon the
unutterable anguish he had witnessed: u was
an exhibition OF human Jseiing-ofa mothers
aAecliOn-bliad, perhaps; ignOraat certainly
but yet as human and natural. 40 II was