The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-07-30

Some time since mention was made In
this paper OF a colored female who, pur.
porting TO have Just escaped from Cuba,
was advertising 10 find her mother. Her
story was so marvellous that it was re-
garded by many to be the faneiful and reck-
less utterance OF a disOrdered mind, while
Others believed ber to be an impostor wish
ing 10 practice fraud upon the credUlity Of
her race. Thus she received but poor en-.
couragement, and was at times treated with
an indifference and eoldness that was cal
cuated to repress any sane female in the
practice OF a little game" She, how
ever, has persisted in her story and adhered
TO IL strictly, even az TO minor details. She
recently applied TO the deacons Of the First
African Baptist church for the use OF their
lecture.room in which 10 recount the story
OF her trials in the form Of 0 lecture. This
request was refused, but she was told she
could visit the church on Wednesday last
the regular meeting-night-and tell her
story, and il the congregation chose to help
her they might. She accepted the PROPOSE
tion, aud although in her address she gave
a graphic and stirring account OF her years
OF slavery and miraculous escape, the pecu-
mary recompense therefor was not lyery
encouraging, being yariously estimated at
between thirty.fye and forty cents.
She represents that her name Is Rosa
Brooks alias Grandson, the last name being
given her from the family name OF her
former owners. Sixteen years ago, she
says-just before the close OF the late war
her young mistress, then living in this city,
married Mr.. Grandson, OF Havana, Cuba.
They moved to his home, and she (ROsa),
being only Que year Of age, was taken with
them, and thus snatched from the very
threshold OF emancipation, that soon fol-
lowed.
She grew up in the service OF her new
master and his family, and some time in
June last became involved ia difficulty
with one OF the children that came nigh
losing her life. 1t seems that in the alter.
cation with the child she lost her temper,
and in an unlucky moment slapped its jaws.
She says ber act was considered such high
crime that "the Queen" was informed OF It,,
and her Royal Majesty decreed she should
die. She was seated In the kitchen the next
dav, when the Queen, in all her pOmp and
pride, entered, and seiZing a large carving
knife began sharpening it for the dread ex-
ecution. Making one desperate effort for
her life. she sprang through the door, scaled
the walls Of the city, and plunged into the
ocean. 1tI SUI uSBlC WIN thC "af'S b""
scarcely well begun when the royal troops
in pursuit fred upon her, and she was
wounded in seven places. Worn out with
her fatigung run, and exhausted with The
loss OF blood, she continued to battle
for life, when, having swan some
nine miles (being seven hours in the
Water), and on the point OF giving up the
ghost, she was rescued by band Of mer-
maids. These fairy creatures, she repre-
sents, bore her TO their homes in the rocky
caverns along the seashore, and showed her
every attention, nursing her until she had
entirely recovered; that they live like or.
binary human beings, and are as gentle and
as kind as possible. When she was well
they took her out into the ocean and placed
her upon vessel bound to Galveston, at
which port she arrived safely, aud thence
made her way to Richmond in search OF her
mother, Sarah Brooks.
She is a good talker and has an air OF
earuestness about her, and dresses very
neatly. She proposes giving an exhibition
of her swimming abilities, and says that she
will swim in the river for some six or seven
consecutive hours.