The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-11-14
Correspondence Of the Charleston Courier.
A YOUNG LADY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Flat Rock, (N c. OeL 10, 1888.

A YOUNG LADY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
F2at Rock, (N. c. OcL 10, 1888.
Before leaving Asheyille, for this place
j made several interesting excursions from
IT, village, one or two Of which may fur.
ush materials for IA letter. My first excur-
sions was to visit an unfortunate female, in
humble life, residing at The distance Of | |
miles from Asheville, utterly destitute OF
limbs, aud composed only of head and
trunk. Her name is Esther Massey and
she is one of an illegitimate family OF ele-
ven children. Her father has also legii-
m tic wife aud family of ten children, aud
the two families, with their respective mat
rons, are said TO meet with cordIalIty.
This singular being was born in her pres
ent limbless condition, and has now attain
ed the age u. % years. Her mother and
whole family appear TO regard her with
much tenderness and affection, and she
seems to possess a cheerful and happy dis
position, which renders her content with
the helpless and apparently hnpess lot,
which nature has awarded her. Although
an object calculated to excite tho wonder,
aud rouse the symputhies of her fellow be.
ings, many, who enjoy the full proportion
of humanity, aud bountiful dispensation
of the good things of life, will find their un-
grateful and guilty repinings shamed by
the equauimi,y, aud cheerful spirit of this
physically imperfect creature, in the midst
of privation and poverty. | have already
said that she is composed of mere head
and trunk. That is literally true. She has
no arms, and neither legs nor thighs. IIeI
shoulders are rounded off, and capable o
motion; and on them she receives the
gifts which charity or kindness proflers her.
She is able to move about on IA level, with II
kind Of waddIins motion. Her usual posit-
ION is that of sitting, or rather standing up
right in common chair, by rocking which
from side to side, she moves about with
great facility. She is able to read, and for
this purpose places the book on her shoul-
der, or (Which she prefers) on n table before
her, and turns over the leaves with her
tongue.
Her health has always been excellent, and
her mother says, she has never had occn-
sion for the services of Il physician, aud al
though she seldom leaves the house, nnd
therefore takes but little exercise, she is now
in the finest and robust health, and is so fat,
that her body (Which is largely proportion
ed, is as broad as it is long. Her head
is very large, and her features are also
large and somewhat course, yet decidedly
good, and forming a very ngreeably tout Gu
sembie-and her lip is absolutely pretty, and
Of the richest and ripest red. O.. In addition To
being sociable and chatty, and even witty,
it is said, she possesses the accomplishment
of singing a very sweet song. She receiy-
ed the party " no visited her in company
with my self, very affabIy, and very gracious
ly accepted our farewell offering. Some
years ago, a Yankee, having met with her
offered to purchase her of her mother. fol
the sum of $4,000, ns a speculation. Thi,
tempting offer was very creditably refused
by the parent-ncither her poverty nor heI
will consented to the traffic. The Yankee
however, succeeded in persuading her to let
him take the limblcss girl with him for cx-
hihition on shares Of the profits, brother
and "A sister accom- panying her. They got
| learn, as far as Columbia. Is. C.) aud
then returned to their mother, saying that
they were not well treated by the Yankee
A warm welcome greeted them at the ma
ternal hoyel, and no other attempt has bseu
N, ado af evhibiti0n