The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-06
THE VIRGINIA WAIF.
The Little Girl in Breeches an Object of
Great Curiosity In Philadelphia-A
Great Many Persons Sending Honey
and Offers OF support.

1Tc0t CuFHO6lLy fn1la0clphla-A
Great Many Persons Sending Honey
and Offers OF support.
PHILADELPHIA, March s. 1874.
The sketch Of BERTHE Winkler which appeared in
the HERALD OF to-day aroused no little interest in
the community and created In her behalf no small
amount Of sympathy ana regard The story OF this
little wall, who left her nome simply to relieve the
duties Of an aged mother; who dressed herself
in male attire simply because she felt
that she could better support herself,
and protect to fuller extent her
position and her virtue, the purity which was
identified with every stage OF her career; and the
brightness aud good nature which giimmered
through her character, were all pure and ster-
Iing and graced here and there with so much poe
try and romance, that the plain. unembelIished
statement OF this same found irs way directly 70
the hearts OF the people, and brought to the cen
tral headquarters OF the police q great many con-
tributions ior her support. All at once every one
seemed TO feel personal interest in the girl. Aad
dozens upon dozens have called to see ner during
the day. Each one who made Visit left some
thing behind and IN counting the money placed
has hands to Buy her outfit, Captain heIne. at
noon to-day, found that ne mad seyenty-nye dol
lars.
'How did you fare last night ~ asked this
morning.
"Oh, very wen.- she answered. 81 went home
with the Captain, had a nice supper, splendid
warm bath and good sleep had been much ex
cited during the day and didn't expect TO sleep
much | thought tnat would be troubled with
dreams, but was not. did not awake until about
eight O'Clock this morning. The Captain had
daughter about my size and l tried On a suit OF
her clothing found them little too long. and
besides they fiji me too closely TO be comfortable.
They didn't seem right either, because have
had on this boys rig 80 long that when
| am out OF 1t ! don't feel at home.
tried to part my hair IN the middle Just as | used
TO do when home with my mother. | didn't get
along very well though, Tor II wanted 10 turn over
on one side and stand right straight up on the
otner When made up my mind TO be boy my
hair was the only thing that worried me. 1t was
long then and Iel In big waves upon my shoulders
DIDN'T dare go TO the barber's you know, Tor ii
would have been just the same as giving away my
secret. DIDN'T know Just what 70 do Tor long
time but at last plated 1t In two long twists, and
then cut them square OF with the SCISSORS. Then
alter this went 10 the DarDer's and had IL cut
shorter Still.
During the day many letters have been received
from dsinterested parties praising Berthe for her
spirit and herolsm. and Offering her q good home.
II am sure you are good, generous girl" said
one letter from lady, addressed to Berthe herself,
land II you Will come TO my house Will 90 all /
can Tor YOU" The police have taken such an in
terest III her that they Will be exceedingly psrtcu-
lar what becomes OF her. several proprietors OF
restaurants and saloons are exceedingly anxious
to acquire her services, but the authorities VIII
not hear such offers un der any consideration.
Tomorrow Bertle VIII drop her name OF Louis,
and VIII be provided with nice, new clothes. Con-
tributions are coming In quite libe rally, and this
little one is likely TO be well provided lor