The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1858-06-25
III 1tlisGeIIanenn s.
THE WILD GIRL or CHAMPAGNE.

The story ofthe Wild Girl Of Champagne is
detailed by trustworthy French writer NJ de
la Condamne. One evening, in September,
1881, the people Of the village Of Songi, were
alarmed by the entrance into the streetofa girl,
seemingly nine or ten years old, covered with
rags and skins, and laviag face and Aaads Alaes
as those ofa negro. She had a gourd leafon her
head, and was armed with short baton. So
strange was her aspect that those who observed
her took to their heels and ran indoors, cx-
claiming, The devil the devil = Bolts were
drawn in ali quarters, and one man thought to
insure safety by letting loose a large bull dog
The little savage flinched not as the animal ad-
vanced in fury, but throwing herself backwards
on one limb, and grasping her club with both
hands, she discharged blow at the head ofthe
dog, as ii came nigh her, with such force and
celebrity as to kill it on the spot. Elated with
her victory, she jumped several times on the
carcass; after which she tried in vain TO enter a
house, and then ran back TO the wood, where
she mounted a tree and fell asleep. Thirst, it
was supposed, had led her to the village.
The Fiscount D'EPinoy, then in the country,
was quickly told Of this apparitlon and search
being made early next morning, the little wan
derer was observed at the top of a lofty tree
Supposiag that she was thirsty, they brought a
pitcher Of water and placed it below the tree
The wild girl, after cautiously looking all a
round came down and drank but being startled
IL A. L.,iD chac h.,
preached. In the hope Of startling her less, a
woman and child were then directed TO offer
food to her, and entice her down. This plan
was successful, and the savage was caught
She struggled violently, bat was carried to the
house of M. D'Epinoy. In the kitchen, fowls
were being dressed at the moment, and she in
stantIy few on one them, tore it to pieces and
ale it. An unskinned rabbit was placed before
her, which with amazing rapidity and voracity
she also skinned and devoured.
# was soon found that if the little savage
possessed any speech whatever, it was merely
a word or two in some foreign or instructive
tongue The usual sound uttered by her was a
wild scream not articulated, bat formed entirely
in the throat. If any one approached TO touch
her, she grew wild and shrieked Violently
She had blue eyes, and, strange to say, it was
speedily discovered that her skin was really
white, or nearly SO, black paint having been
apparently laid on her face and hands. IT was
noticed that her thumbs were very large, anc
this was afterwards explained by her, as arising
from her habit of springing like squirrel from
tree to tree, by resting upon them Being pla-
ced by NJ. D'Epinoy under the care ofa shepherd
she at first gave much trouble by scraping hole.
in her place Of confinement, and flying 10 the
tops of trees aud the house roof, where she was
as much at home as on the level ground. She
could run with immense speed, and some time
after she was taken, frequently showed hel
powers by catching rabbits and hares at the re-
quest of her patrons Her food had been raw
flesh, fish, roots, fruits, branches and leaves
and she never chewed her meat but swallowed