The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1896-05-15

brought to the ground, and the insteT
and top of the toes would pc USED, IN
stead of the sole and heel OF the almost
infieXible foot. Why the elbow should
be employed instead OF the hand Is less
easy to understand, but probably II Is
be tier suited to give support to the
head and fore part of the body
Old scars and scratches have been
noticed on the legs and arms OF some
of these wolf children which, from their
appearance, would lead one to believe
they had Been inflicted at some time
by the young wolves, while either
quarreling over their food or romping
in play with their human foster broth :
er.
An interesting ca 50 of wolf child
was told many years ago in Chambers
journal. In the Etwah district, near
the banks of the river JUmna, boy
was captured from the wolves. This
child was after time restored to his
parents, who, however, found him
very difficult to manage, for he was
most fractions and Troublesome in
fact, just Gagged wild beast. Often
during the night, for hours together,
he would give vent to most unearthly
yells and means, destroying the rest
and irritating the tempers of his
neighbors, and generally making night
hideous. On one occasion his people
chained him by the waist to tree on
the outskirts of the village. Then a
rather curious incident occurred. 1t
was bright moonlight highland two
wolf cubs Undoubtedly those in whose
companionship he had been captured,
attracted by his cries while on the
prowl, came to him. and were distinct
ly seen to sambol round him with as
much familiarity and affection as if
they considered him ute one of them
selves. They only left him on the APP
proach of morning, when movement
and stir again arose in the village. lie
never spoke, nor did single ray of
human intelligence ever shed its rein
ing light over his debased features.
Some of these poor waits have been
recovered after spending 10 or more
years in the fellowship of wolves, and
though wild and savage at first, have
in time become tractable in some de-
gree. They are rarely to be seen to
stand upright, unless to look around,
and they gnaW bones in the manner of
dog, holding one end between the
forearms and hands, while snarling and
swapping at anybody who approaches
too near. The wolf child has little
except its outward form to show that
it is human being with soul. 1t is
a fearful and terrible thing, and hard
TO understand, that the mere fact of a
child's complete isolation from its own
kird should bring it to such state of
absolute degradation. OF course, they
speak no language, though some in
wants by few signs. When first taken
they fear the approach of adults. and, if
possible, will stink out of sight; but
should child of their own size. or
come near. they will growl and
even snap at and bite at IT, On the
other hand, the close proximity OF
'pariah' dogs or jackals, is unresent |
I'd, in some cases welcomed for | have |
heard of them sharing their food with |
these an finals, and even petting and |
them. They have in time been
brought on to cooked meat diet. but I
would always prefer raw flesh. Some /
nave been kept alive after being re
claimed for as long as two years, but
or some reason or other they all sicken
md die, generally long before that
ime. One would think, however,
hat, having undoubtedly very robust
they might he saved If
reated in scientific manner and
managed.