Case 795

The child A for whom this application is made is illegitimate - her mother tells me that she would have been married to the child's father if he had lived after his death. The mother married her present husband E by whom she has seven children living - E was informed of this illegitimate Child & promised to accept her as one of his own - But he has done nothing of the kind - Though kind to his own children he has I believe [?] & very often beaten her most cruelly - This [?] only just found out, but there can be no doubt about it. And in consequence I suppose of ill-treatment the poor child is quite stunted in her growth & is in fact a dwarf - Though fifteen years of age she is not taller than a full grown girl of half her age - her education has been much neglected but her mother says she can read & write a little - she appears a [very] quiet inoffensive child & according to her mother is [so] in reality & has borne her hard lot very patiently - Though small she is said to be strong & quite willing to work - Her Step-father's wages are only 15/ a week, so that though her mother says she would try to contribute towards