Litchfield enquirer., 1847-01-21
The Wild GIRLS.


shooting at Songi, near Chalons, in Cham
payne, he saw something at distance in
the water, which he took for couple of
birds, and al which he fired. The supposed
birds avoided the shot by diving instantly
IN the water, and rising at another place
they made to the shore, when it appeared
that they were two children about nine or
ten years Of age. They took ashore with
them several fish, which they tore in pieces
with their fore teeth, and swallowed without
chewing. AS they were going from the
shore, one of them found rosary, probably
dropped by some traveller, at which she testi-
fed great joy, screaming and jumping about.
In order to keep it to herself, she covered it
with her hand; but her companion, who pre-
ceivcd this, gave her such blow upon the
hand with sort of club, that she could not
move it. With her other hand, she struck
her companion in return such blow upon
the head with a similar club, as brought
her to the ground with loud shrek The
victor made herself bracelet with the ro-
Sary, but she still had SO much pity on her
companion, that she covered her wound with
the skin of fish, which she stripped off,
and bound it up with the slip of the bark of
a tree. They then parted. The girl that
had been wounded returned to the river, and
was never after seen; the other went to the
village of Sogni. The ignorant people
were frightened at her singular appearance,
for her color was, dark and she had on
scanty covering Of rags and skins of ami
mails. They set d great dog at her, bat she
waited his attack without stirring from her
place, and as soon as he was within reach,
gave him such a blow on his head with her
club as laid him dead on The spot. Unable
to gain admission into any house, for every
door was shut against her, she returned into
the fields, climbed up tree, and there took
her repose. The Viscount d'Epinoy, who
was then at Sogni, offered a reward
to any one who would catch this wild girl
AS it was supposed she was thirsty, buck
ct of water was placed under the tree to ell
tice her down. On awaking she looked
cautiously around, came down and drank,
but Immediately assembled to the summit of
the tree, as if she thought herself not other
wise secure. AT length she was allurcd to
come down by woman, who walked under
the tree with child in her arms, and offer
ed her fish and roots. When she had de.
scended, some persons laying in wait seized
her and conveyed her TO the Viscount's seat.
AT first she was taken into the kitchen, where
she fell upon some wild fowls and ate them
up before the cook missed Them. A rabbit
being offered she Immediately stripped of
the skin and devoured the flesh.
An opportunity Of observing her with
more ease was now obtained, and il was
found that the black color of her skin was
accidental for after she had repeatedly wash
ed, her naturally fair complexion appeared.
Her hands upon the whole were we'll formed,
only the fingers, and the thumb in partlcu-
lar, were uncommonly strong, which was
undoubtedly ascribable to her frequently
Ginning trees, as she would swing herself
from one to another like squirrel. The
! NiscOunt d'Epinoy delivered her to the care
of shepherd, recommending him to be ex
tremely attentive to her, under a promise o
paying him well for his trouble. On &C
count of her wildness she was commonly
known as the shepherds beast. !; cost a
great deal of trouble to render her a little
tame. She was very dexterous at making
holes in the walls or roof and would creep
through an aperture so small that an eye
| witness could not conceive how it was pos.
sble. Once she cloped in severe frost du-
ring heavy fall Of snow, and after long
search, was found sitting on tree in the
open field. Nothing was more astonishing
than the swiflness and agility with which
she ran. Though latterly, long illness ani
want of exercise diminished her speed, j
was always surprising. She did not take
long steps like other people, but her run wa
rather a flying tip, which was more like
gliding than walking. Her feet movec
with such quickncSs that their motion was
scarcely discernabIc.
Several years after she had been caught
She was capable of outStrippng wild ami
mails, as she proved to the Queen Of Poland
in 1877, for being taken out on a hunting
party, She ran after rabbits aud harcs thai
were started, caught them presently, aut
brought them TO the Queen. The quicknes'
Of Eer eye was equally astonishing; in 4
moment she could look every way rount
her, with scarcely turning her head, which
was very necessary for her security, ano
procuring her food in wild state. Bott
the girls used to spend their nights on trees
They laid down on Dough, held themslve!
fast with one hand, and rested their head:
on the other. In this situation, according
II..a1F Inn