The Arizona sentinel., 1888-10-06

When we learn any thing which ln- terests us very much we are almost sure to wish to repeat it to others whom we think it will surprise and please. believe we are alike in this respect Now have been so interested in what I have recently read and heard of a strange human being who puzzled the world in the first half of the present century that I should like to tell the children about him.
 Of course you all know something concerning the old German town of Nu- remberg, and probably some of you q hope great many) have read LOngfel- lows poem about the place. This poem is so sweet and beautiful that 1 have loved the name of Nuremberg ever since the hour of my childhood when l first read it. The town is famous for its manufacture of toys. It was there that watches were first made, and for
 hile they were called Nuremberg -1ggs.
 In one of the quietest streets of this city, sixty years ago, boy was found whom no one knew, and who could give no account of himself. Not a lit tie boy, almost a young man, for he looked about seventeen years old; but he could walk no better than an infant, and could pronounce distinctly only few words He held in his hand an anonymous letter, which was addressed to cavalry captain of Nuremberg, and which declared that he had been left at the house of the writer when he was a little child. But it did not explain how it happened that at the age of seveu- teen he was still as ignorant and feeble as he might have been fifteen years be | fore.
 The captain to whom the letter was directed knew nothing of the boy, who cried and said he wanted to be a rider and that he had horse at home. This was about all of his talk that could be understood; when pen and paper were l given to him he wrote the name of Kas- | per Hauser, but could write no other legible words.
 Every body was interested in this mysterious stranger. He was taken to | the jail, where he was well cared for, and where efforts were made to in- struct him. A great many visitors came, who brought him little presents, and he was delighted when some one gave him wooden horse on wheels.
 Every thing hurt the poor creature. Sunlight made his eyes sore, and he could not endure noise; but he could see in the dark as well as other people saw in the brightest noon.
 The taller and his family were very kind to him, and Kasrer was grateful and obedient He tried hard to learn, and when he became accustomed to his new home he showed interest and curi osity. One day he watched a white washer at work; and when, a short time afterward, a snow-stOrm had fallen, he told his friends that the ground and the fences had all been whitewashed during the night
 As soon as he learned to talk, the burgomaster questioned him about his past life All he knew was that he had always lived in what he called "a cage" which had log of wood placed against its only window, to keep out the light. He had wooden horses to play with, and while he was asleep bread and water were brought to him. At last a man came into the cage and taught him to write his name, and also to walk, which up to that time he had never tried to do Then, one day, the man: took him on his back and carried him out into the light He was led, he knew not how far, until they came to the street in which he was found; there a letter was put into his hand and he was left alone.
 He had not the smallest idea who he really was, nor with whom he had lived. It was obvious to every one who saw him that he had been cruelty treat ed He bore the marks Of blows, and was timid and easily frightened. 1t would be almost impossible to imagine any one so ignorant as he was, and he felt this ignorance deeply It savery sad story this of the boy who tried so hard to be like other people, and who never could be like them. He lived for about a year with a schoolmaster, and became, before long, stronger, both mentally and physically. He was taught to read and write, but there were a great many things which he never could learn; for his mind, having been left so many years without training, had lost power, as will any mind which is not exercised properly.
 A great number of people believed that Kasper was the son of noble par ents. Perhaps he was Prince, who had been stolen from his home before he was old enough to remember it. When he was taken to visit castle he thought he recollected that he had once lived in a building of the same kind; and this strengthened the popular be- lief that he was some very important person. But no proof ever sustained this opinion.
 About three years after his first ap- pearance, an English nobleman visited Nuremberg. and was so pleased with Kasper that he decided to adopt him. After that the young man was much petted and nattcrcd, and it is no wOn- der that he believed himself a very re- markable being. The nObleman, who was Earl Stanhope, spent a great deal of money upon him, and tried in every possible way to discover his home and nnrnntnmn Knsnnr travelled nhnllt.