The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-07-11
THE FAMISHED HAND.

tied to implicit belief
In the year 1884 or 8, left Norfolk, Va, in
large schooner bound for New York One orthe
cabin passengers had sick child, and no attendant
The second day after left Norfolk the child ask
ed for food; and offered TO prepare toast for it
For this purpose, went to the cooks room, which
was below the deck, and in going to which, it
necessary TO pass n quantity of freight, which had
been put on board at Norfolk. The steward kindly
assisted me in making the toast, and added cracker
and cup of tea With these, n small winter,
was returning TO the cabin when in passing the freight
which consisted of boxes, bags, SC. little tawney,
famished looking hand he'd out from between
the packages The skeleton fingers, agtatnd by
! convulsivc movement, were evidently reached forth
with view 10 the food in my possession. Shocked,
but not alarmed, by the appar,on, laid the cracker
on the hand, which Immediately withdrawn.
No observed the transaction, and went swiftly
10 the cabin. The sick child was graicd with its
meal and when, in the afternoon, it wanted more
again offered my services apologised to the stew
ard for the liberty was taking, in visiting his promi.
SEES often, but plead the necessity Of attending to
tho little invalid. found he wns father, and in.
CURED the names Of his children. l brought him
presents for them; and iugratated myself into his
often found nice things prepared for myself las well
as FOR the little in the cabin But whueveri
could procure, was divided with the furnished hand,
which TO me, had become precious change. There
| must have been eyeto watch my motions, In
fancy, could that eye, cleaning n, my approach
but at other times closed in dim DESPAIR
AS all was tranquil on board, it was evident that
alone aware Of the presence Of the unseen fngi
tive; and lumbly returned thanks TO God for allow
ing the privilege of mins,erng TO the wants ofths
his outcast, despised, and prosecuted hinge That
the unfortunate being sa We, doubted not; but
how could Iserve him. or her, or whoever it might
be, efectually? knew not the laws and usoges in
such knew The poor being had nothing to
hope from the captain and Of tho vessel, and
peatedy asked nyseifthe agonizing question, viii
| there be any way Of escape? had hoped that we
might land in the night, ard under favor Of dark
ness the fugitive be enabled TO go shore unseen
by those on board. l determined to watch for and
assist the creature, who had been thus proyden-
TALLY cons gned to my
| On the sixth day 1--WE having long pussnge)
found that the goods below, We're being moved, in
! der TO come netting which wanted; and
filed up the passage, that could rot go below
| My heart seemed to die within me, for the safety
| Of the sufferer had become dear to me. We
down to dinner but the dishes swan before my eyes
| ] felt that n discovery must take place. The tum.
! bling Of the freight below had rot ccnsed. Each
moment | expected an alarm. at length heard
sudden sshallon'- and all was Enthusiastically the
steward came into the cabin; looked significantly
at the company, and whispered to the captain. The
captain carving, but imm cdiately laid down his
knife and fork, and went on deck. One of the pass
cngers followed him, but soon returned; and in n
laughing informed that strange passenger
had been found among the freight. eft ISL added
he, ga small mnlatto hoy, WHO says he belongs to
Mr. -, Of Norfolk. That he had been conceal
ed among the lumber, the wharvns, for tno
wccks and secretcd himself in the schooner, the
night before sailed. lie is going 10 New York TO
find his father who escaped two years since. And
continued he ''he is starved TO skeleton, hardly
worth carrying back' Many jokes were passed, as
to the manner Of his being renovated when he should
again fu into the hands Of his master. Some thought
the vessel must put Immediately back. Others were
Of opinion that as we within eight or ten hours
sail Of New York, the trip would be made, and the
boy carried back on her return.
| The unfortunate child had been brought deck,
| and we all left the cabin to look ut him. followed
behind, almost 10 see n5ii anu sonie
time by the companionway, in order to gain strength
! for the interview. then proceeded forward. As
soon MS he discovered me, bright geam passed over
lis countennnce, aud he instantly he'd ont 10 me the
| same furnished hama! My feelings were no longer to
| 10 be controlled. There stood Child before me,
not more than eleven years of age, of yellow COM
pexon, and sad countenance nearly naked, his back
scared with sears and his flesh wasted TO the bone.
burst into tears-into lamentations; and the jners
of others were for moment turned into sympa-
| Thy.
| brought The boy away; and in that case the YES g
must put back, in order to give me up, also. Bet
related the circumstances, as they occnrred; and
| all appeared satisfied with the truth of my state
| mcnt.
| requested that might be allowed to feed the
! how, which request was granted; and carried him
some dinner plate. lie ate voraciously; and as
| TOD ,,o. do he nkcd into m face a