The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-16
DlCKENS'S BROTHER Boz"
ms THREE ORPHtNs LITING DESTI-
TUE dT IMDOY, mn.
4 Snd Chapter oiFamiIv Ulster, The Brieht
I'ui" Chnrir- Dickens who Looks iikr his
Uncle, the Grcnt Novelist Help Needed.


4 snd thnpter Of Family Ristcr, The Brieht
Ituie Churlr- Dickens who Iooh- iikr his
Uncle, the Grcnt Novelist Help Needed.
ANNOY, H.. March 10 came across q
strange thing yesterday moro in Ambov, Illinois.
three poor orphans thrown on the world with
M relative TO own or care for them. Stranger
still. these three homeless, unprotected Gull
t.rn are tho ORPHANS Of brother Of Charles
Dicncus q hiece and two nephews Of the great
novelist himself. Wnen | asked resident of
Anlboy anout these Dickens children. he said 1;
"well It went pretty hard with 'em awhile
sGo. We got ready to take 'em to the poor
house. Couldn't let 'em starve, you know, ana
they hadn't a cent Of money nor decent clothes
even. l tell you 1t sortor rough to see
Charles Dickens nepbews and nieces going to
the poorhOuse. but"
you hav'ut taken them there yet2"I inter-
rupted.
NO, not vet. but reckon they'll have to go
there. They're too young u do anything, aud
It pears they ha'nt got no Twin person to look
after 'em. OF Henry Keeling and his wife, who
live in that white house over thar, has got 'em
now" he said POINTING to little wooden
house, but the Lord knows how long old
Henry WI, keep 'em. He's deaf and nigh used
Leavinr the old farmer. I called at the house
| OF sir. Keeling. The gates were closed, hut |
finally rot into the ward and knocked at the
'front.' door. The house looked uninhabited.
knocked several timcs. each time louder than
before. No answer. Presently whangcd aw ay
as II were breaking down the door. Then
heard indistinct noises IN the back part OF the
the hail. and n protty sylph-like little gitl about
thirteen years old. with pale lace aud light
blonde hair, opened the door.
" Are tho Dickens children here?" asked.
" Yes, were here. I'm one OF Them" said the
little girl looking up curiously. won't YOU
"What Is your nsmef ?" I asked the little girl,
as we groped along the dark hall.
NV name ~ Amy Dickens. I've got broth
er fifteen years Old-two years older than me.
Ills name Is Charles Dickens Adrian ChaIlcs
Dickens. My middle name Is BERTHA" ratified
OF the little thing.
found the family all shut TN in one room in
the back Dart OF the house. Old Mrs. Keeling
seemed To be weak and childish. while Mr..
Keeling was unable TO hear ANYTHING. 1t was
utterly impossible TO make the old man under
stand for what had called. Then his wife got
close up to him aud screamed IN his ear,
MIR Perkins wants to know ABOUT the Dick
"Ycs-yes," replied the old man. che can
have pave EN-. Inke EN- any time he wanis TO-"
their things u get them ready.
l found the little Ooy. Charles Dickens,
bright little fellow. lie told me how his father,
Augustus n. Dickens, had been dead nine ycsrs-
how he had an older brother Bertram some
where up IN tue upper part OF the st tie, and
how somebody told him once that he looked
like his Uncle Charles.
Did you ever see your Uncle Charles2'
asked
No. | never saw him, but should think
como OF MY uncle's folks would come over and
eet Amy aud me. We nave no friends--no
nl.c 10 I'VE. never saw II relation In my life.
Amy aud talk It over sometimes. and we're
going TO Eng nd when we get big. I'm going
What do you do here, Chareyi" asked,
standirgup TO 70.
well TX the wood. make the Ore. and Amy
she washes the dishes, and WORKS. We take
cara ~ MIR. and Mrs Keeling" and Charley
ufeN himse elf w maufuy
Mrs. Keeling informed me before going that sho
had known Mrs. Dickens that the latter was a
GOOD woman. and tied uroken hearted $50 tnat
she took the children TO keen Them ont Of the
poornouse. but she did not know how long she
should Ice able to maintain them.
In Amboy met gentleman who agreed 10
write me "a letter, giving all the facts he could
md out about Charles Dlckens's brother. and
the orphaned children. To-day | received the
following letter from him:
DEAR SIR have obtained the following facts
Ausestus Dickens is the name OF Mr., Carries D,ek.
rhilips, his wife being prffcey bind al lie
PHILIPPE hsd at the time ororer in The British Treas.
ury snd wa. 81 Is.peei.oe family she was eultive'
Ricaatd Golden secured Augustus :; Dickeu. posl:
Railroad 81 900 Der year IL Chicago by tue request
q cear.e. bleSen-. AnSusic. \. Dickens dea in
took care Of the widow up lime of his eesth
Augustus Is buried in Cnicasp lie cams to this coun
tr, on account 81 the cloDcinent
lie ran away In debi and some what disspAted
MI. .er 60 not INNS 'lai ME-, Phillips Knew Of
OF her position nHaiiy preyed so npon ner MAD that
shs e9lnm,',ed ,nlcac ~ taxing poison
fore Charles b@can write and the latter borrowed
mis- nicAname Of Auguatus wnen he assumed II - lis
nom Gc plume.
Augustus was man Of some literary talent. lie had
lcctured once IN Chicago, and advertised lecture
Amboy On shakespeare lie had handbiis printed nd
signed himself % Boz hut Charles Dicgens. who had
l'tey been IN the country. and had commented una.
voraoy on american ne ana society ID made the DICK
ems family 20 unpopular that rot single person
tended tue lecture However, the want OF apprcci4.
uOn OF such suntcct nv Western audience at that
time migat have had something TO DO about tue
tendance.
You sec inst there is nothing which shows lack Of
affection ~ bis distinguished brother. and that, II he
did not want TO hunt hun here, 10 of
his conduct toward estimabie wife.
Very truly your. -.
ANNOY, H., March 10.
Does II not seem as II something ought to Le
done for these children? WHY cannot some
Chtldless millionaire educate them r Al Iaast