Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-11-08
RAW MATERIAL FOR A NOVEL.
A Strange and Romantic stOr y of Fact,

A correspondent Of the Plattsburg (N
~ Rsp,sblicaH relates that about fifteen
years since, a gentleman aud bis wife re-
siding In a little village In the northern
part OF the State Of Vermont, while visit
ing neighhoring town, had occasion to
pass the house where tho poor OF the
town were kept, and observing In front
Of the place little girl Of SIX or seven
years old, who attracted their attention
by her unusual bright and Intelligent
countenance, they stopped and made In
quiries respecting her. They found that
she belonged to French Canadian fam
lily, consisting Of father and mother and
six children. Having no unmarried
daughter In their family they conceived
the idea OF adopting the little girl and,
applying to the authorities, found them
more than willing to accede to their re-
quest. The child was at once got ready,
and In few houts reached her new home.
Time passed on-the little girl had ar.
rived at the age of thirteen years, had
been educated as their own daughter, and
was equally beloved. sAe was an unusu-
ally Intelligent, industrious and beautiful
child, and promised to be a delightful
acquisition to the family. In an evil hour,
10 the darkness of night, appeared the
repnted father with two or three assistant
ruffians, and the little girl was snaiehed
from her home and borne away, amid the
lamentatlon Of all. 1t was ascertained
that they had gone In southwesterly
direction. The old gentleman, sorrow
stricken, started tine next morning iD
pursuit, and arrived at Burlington,
which proved to be the temporary
place OF residence Of the kldnappers'
Applying to lady friend, he told the
story of his bereavement, with tears In
his eyes, and refused to be comforted
until the object Of his search was restored
to him. The lady undertook the mission,
and after patient inquiry found the girl
She was domiclled In single room In
tenement house In the lower part Of the
city, with half-dozen other children who
were clothed In rags and Astounding In
filth. She was in the greatest agony In
relation to her condition, and had re-
solved that so soon as opportunity offered
she would start for her old home on foot,
II need be, and take the chances of delly-
erance from her captivity. The lady sug-
gvsted a more feasible and speedy method
namely, that she should come to her the
next day, ten minutes before the train
left, and she would see that she was for
warded safely home. The girl was
prompt at the appointed time, and the
two left for Essex Junction, where she
was put aboard the stage and arrived
safely home In the evening, and was re-
J ceived with the greatest Joy by all in the
family. The next day the kldnapper was
furious with rage. and, visiting the lady's
house. threatened vengeance upon all
interested In her release. He was
promptly given to understand that If he
ever made his appearance again for the
purpose of interfering with the child he
would be treated to a coat of tar and
feathers, which really was the determin-
alton of those IN the vicinity of the girls
home. She was never again molested.
The Canadian family soon left the place,
and arc supposed to reside In the vicinity
of Plattsburg. The girl continued in the
family and became a beautiful and ac-
complished lady, beloved by all for her
d amiahle disposition and many virtues,
until she arrived at the age of twenty
years. In this family was a son who was
little her senior, and who had grown
up with her, and was not Indifferent Ia
her personal merits and aitrnctions'
Young, ambitious, and industrious, h,
had early gone into business for himself
3 and, Ike most young men 10 this country
loshehhlnE lnuat uuhlllltAs hNu nTtn tut
cessful. Looking to the future, he com
mcnced building him nice residence
The young lady was often consultc'
. about the internal arrangement of The
house, without the remOtc-t idea that sh'
was destined to be its occupant. y her
the house was completed, he "p5ppst
the question" was accepted, aud Thu
? marriage took place in n very short pcrlo,
= thereafter, and to-day there is no one II
, the little village Of their abode iuor'
proud Of his wife, nor with greater rca
son, than the preseason Of the once littl'
= girl Of the Fairfax Poorhouse. Th'
q -trangest circumstance in the whole at
fair is that the lady remembers rothnl
farther hack than the hOuse.from whici
II she was taken by luose who adopted hrr
, declares she does not know word o
) French, and that she does not believe taa
those who claimed her were her parents
, This view is generally taken by the mos
> intelligent people in the vicinity Of he
present residence. Who her parents wcr
. or where she came from Will ptObahl.
y ever remain shroudcd in mystery,