Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-05-22
Wolf NURSES IN INDIA.

the part of nurses toward infants, acct
dentally or purposely exposed, are to be
met with in every part of the world, and
among races of the most widely distinct
character. It was fayorite Legendary
origin for great hero, the founder OF
O nation or of an empire. The stag, the
bear, the dog and many others figure In
these traditions; but Of all, the wolf is
the most remarkable and the most fire.
quently to be met with. What truth
there may be in the old story of Romu-
lus we shall not attempt to decide Some
reality, however, underlies the widest
fictions, and we have before us at this
moment very interesting account of
observations made III Northern India,
which may be worth the consideration
of some future Niebuhr or Arnold. They
were conducted by distinguished Indi-
an officer, whose name, were we at lib
erty to mention it, would be an ample
guarantee for their truth and accuracy
one, too, who has possessed unusual
opportunities for obtaining information
from the wilder and less known parts Of
the country. Thefollowing is from this
reroct. which was published III 1852:
The wolf in India is looked upon, as it
formerly was in Northern Europe, as
sacred animal. Almost all Hindoos
have superstitious dread of destroying
or even iniuring it; and village COM
munity within the boundary of whose
land drop of VOLTS blood has fallen
believes itself doomed to destruction.
The natural consequence is that in the
districts least frequented by Europeans
these animals are very numerous and
destructive, and great numbers of chill
dren are constantly carried off by them.
Only one class of the population, the
very lowest, leading q vagrant life, and
bivouacking IN the jungles, will attempt
to kill or catch them. Even these, how
ever, although they have no supersti-
tious fear of the wolf, and are always
found to be well acquainted with its
usual dens and haunts, very seldom at
tempt it's capture-in all probability
from the profit they make Of the. gold
and silver bracelets and necklaces worn
10y children whom the wolves have car
ried to their dens, and whose remains
are left at the entrance. In all parts of
India, it appears, numbers of children
are daily murdered for the sake of these
dangerous ornaments
The wolf, however, is sometimes
kinder than man. In the neighborhood
of Sultanpoor, and among the ravines
that intersect the banks of the Goomtee
river, this animal abounds, and our first
instance Of "wof nurse occurs in
that district. A trooper, passing along
the river bank near Chandour, saw a
large female wolf leave her den, followed
by three whelps and a little boy. The
boy went on all-fours, apparently on the
best possible terms with his fierce COM
panions, and the wolf protected him
with as much care as if he had been one
of her own whelps. All went blown to
the river and drank, without noticing
the trooper, who, as they were about to
turn back. pushed on. in order to cut,
Off and secure the boy. But the ground
was uneven, and his horse could not
oyertake them. All re-entered the den,
and the trooper then assembled some
people from Chandour with pickaxes,
who dug into the den for about six OF
eight feet, when, the old wolf bolted,
followed by her three cubs and the boy.
The trooper, accompanied by the fleet
est young men of the party, mounted
and pursued, and, having at last headed
them, b> Surned the whelps and the
= boy (who ran quite as fast) back upon
the men on foot. They secured the boy
and allowed the others to escape.
The boy thus taken was apparently
about 9 or 10 years old, and had all the
habits of wild animal. On his way to
Ohandour he struggled hard to rush In
to every hole OF den he passed. The
sight of a grown-up person alarmed
him, and he tried to steal away; But he
rushed at child with fierce snarl.
like that of q dog, and tried to bite it.
Cooked meat he would not eat, but he
seized raw food with eagerness, putting
it on the ground, under his hands, and
deyouring it with evident pleasure. He
growled angrily if any one approached
him while eating, but made no objec-
ton to dogs coming near and sharing
his food. The trooper left him In charge
of the Rajah Of Husunpoor, who saw
the boy Immediately after he was taken
Very soon afterward he was sent, by
the Raiah's order, to Capt. NicholettIs,
Dbl Fo,tltdupoOE, loI, dltAouSu LIS paioutS
are said to have recognized him when
first captured, they abandoned him on
finding that he displayed more of the
VOLTS than human nature.
He lived in the charge OF Capt.
NicholetPs servants nearly three years
very inofensive, except when leased, but
still complete animal. He could never
be induced to keep on any kind Of cloth
ing, even IN the coolest weather, and on
one occasion tore to pieces a quilt,
stuffed with cotton, and ate q portion of
it, cotton and all, every day with his
bread. When his food was placed at a
distance from him he ran for it on ALL
TOURS, like awolf; and it was only ON rare
occasions that he walked upright.
Human beings he always Stunned, and
never willingly remained near them.
On the other hand he seemed fond Of
dogs and of iackals, and indeed al ami
mails, and readily allowed them. to feed
with him. He was never known to
laugh or smile, and was never heard to
speak till within few minutes Of his
death, when he put his hands to his
head and said it ached. and asked for
tasgu4t