Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-06-12
The Wolf Boy.

Arthur Dudley Vinton in the course
of an exceedingly timely and well
composed essay in the April Arena
calls attention TO the influence of en-
vironment Of childhood by citing the
well-authenticated and interesting
case OF the wolf-boy in the following
language:
But will take an extreme case: In
certain parts OF India wolves abound
and kill many children; hut there are
instances where the child seized by
the wolf has not been devoured, but
like the tabled Romulus and Remus
has been adopted into the wolf family.
The Eclectic Magazine records an in
stance Of this sort
4 British trooper passing along the
bank of an Indian river saw u large
female wolf leave her den, followed
bv three whelps and little boy.
The child went on all fours, and
seemed To be on the best possible
terms with the old dam and its three
foster brothers; and the mother
seemed TO guard all four with equal
care. They went down to the river
aud drank, without preceiving the
trooper, who sat quietly upon his
horse watching them; but IA soon IA
they were about 10 turn back, the
trooper attempted to secure the boy
He failed, and people were then col
lrcted from neighboring village, the
VOLTS den was dug out, and the boy
captured.
He was taken to the village, but his
captors had TO tie him, for he was
very restive. They tried to make
him speak, but could get nothing
from him but an angry growL When
a grown-up person came near him,
he became alarmed aud tried To steal
away: but when a child approached
he rushed at il with Ia fierce snarl aud
tried to bite il. When any cooked
meat was put before him, he turned
from il in disgust; but when any raw
meat was offered him, he seized II
with avidity. put IL on the ground
under his hands, and ate IL asa dog
does. and with evident relish. This
wolf-child was afterwards sent To the
European officer commanding an in
fantrv station Mt Sultaupoor, who
put him under the charge OF natiN"
servants. These took good care ot
him. but could never get him To
speak. He was amiable, except when
teascd, and then he growled snrlily
He became in time willing To eat any
thing that was thrown to him, but
always showed n marked preference
for raw flesh-once he ate hall "A lamb
without apparent effort. His coun-
tenance was repulsive. his figure
coarse; and as long as he lived he
continued fond OF jackals and other
small, fourfooted animals that came
near him
InlN boN WIS It'bgiiS'h Wy h''
parents shortly after his capture, but
they refused to be burdened with his
care. He was about nine or ten years
old when he was found, and lived
about three years afterwards. Up to
the time OF his death, he was never
heard to speak, but "A few minutes
before his death, he put his hand TO
his head and asked for water. ="
Then almost Immediately he died.
Can it be said that this wolf-boy
had conscience, or any knowledge
OF right or wrong1 Did not his en-
vironment prevent the growth OF anyl
His case is stronger than the ease OF
the boy reared In the city slums; but
the two do not differ In principle. In
both cases. life OF virtue, "A knowl-
edge Of morality, was forbidden by
environment.