Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-03-11
From the Christian Iyatehmaa.
The Cast on, or Stolen Boy

The following strange and deeply interesting
narrative was drawn up by gentleman of veraciiy
and discrimination, who is well acquainted with
the facts, and has had many private conversations
with the individual whose singular history canno,
fail TO excite the interest Of every one. II is hoped
that the publication OF this story will lead 10 some
clue by which the mystery which hangs around his
original may be dispeed. The account may be
relied on strictly true.
To the vicinity OF Worcester Mass, there lives
a member Of Christian church who does not know
when and where he was born, or who were his par
ents. In his history are incidents Of interest,
which show the oyerruling had or Providence, and
which may deserve TO be chroncIed
Among his earliest recolleciions, is the idea Of a
home in some thickly settled place, (Albany as he
supposes,) of playing with children there, and Of
being particularly attached TO a child bearing the
name OF Elleck Sele Of one like il in sound. He
has a faint remembrance OF seeing two women talk
ing together, and Of being influenced to get into a
stage coach. or some carriage, with Of them,
and ofrding of. After while the carriage stop
ped, and they lief. it, The coored woman with
whom he had ridden, took him across lots 10 house
some distance from the road, and awhile after he
reached there, he remembers meeting stout col
ored man, of rough appearance, and Of feeling tina,
he was in trouble. Sad, indeed, was the condition
OF this innocent child Of not more, probably, than
three years Of age. He had no kind father OF
mother near, to love, pity, and take OF him,
no brothers or sisters dear, with whom to play and
be happy.
He was now in the hands OF two colored persons
of incorporate, vicious habits, indians it is sup
posed) who cared little for him, and Of whom b,
was afraid They went by the name Of Purchase
and babe him call them father and mother, ant
nunished him ii he neglected to do H.
They strolled about the country hunting 6shinI
| and begging, minglihg in the worst society, ofeI
| drunk and quarrelling. In their drunken frolics
| Abraham las he was caed) found il necessary 4
hide somewhere, to avoid beating or death. Ii
their travels, they employed him to beg for then
from house 10 house, and if he did not succeed $
well as they thought he might, or If in any way h
displeased them, be to be knocked down
or 10 be severely whipped. Sometimes they woul
take him to ponds and keep him wadng in the wa
for hours, catching boodsuckers foF them TO Sc
to some apolhecaTy. He suffered much from fog
gings, hunger and cold, spending at times chilly
and even freezing nights out of doors
On one occasion his life seemed to be in grei
peril, far in a dismal swamp, he was taken alone
r the colored man. and taken there, as he was toll
to be killed. The club was actually seized TO .
him out of the way, az one Of whom his pretende
! father said he was very sick, and would be rid o.
but the heart of the savage, as he gazed for m
ment upon the face Of the terrified child, and sa
4 the fast flowing tears, and the deep distress wa
: soiiened God held back the murderous arm.-
u The club fell down. The little hand was seize
e The cruel one also wept their tears mingled t
: gether.
AZ length, after having travelled much-aft
i having visited several cities, and spent perha
e two three years with these vagabonds, and be-
l. urged by others repeatedly TO leave them he escap
II from their power. His escape was in the city
d Providence, and in this way His keepers 2
= drunk in denof iniquty, and fought, aud excl
a his fears He hurried to get out Of the place
IN The woman, menacing him with her fist, babe h
" stop. He hesitated iItle but as he looked
re her strike at The throat OF the man with fig
,e ful effect at which, still more alarmed he fed
W leh them forever. lie was seen passing by sol
m young men Of The chaser sort" who knew of
~ quarrel. They pointed him to house where III
a, assured him of safety, and Of being provided +
That house was 'lhe way 10 hell" There he "
- employed for few weeks an GRAND boy, a
y much beiriended by an inmate, negro woman.
She manifested deep sympathy aud interest
m him talked with him, and told him he ought
to to stay in such place. and proposed conduct
n him away. She learned Of him that he had bs
n, at Smithheld r. l.. in company with the color
" Migrants, and knew the name of one family in b