HEROIC CONDUCT OF A DEAF AND DUMB GIRL.

On Tuesday last an inquest was held by Mr. Michael Fullam, Coroner, at Aughaward, near Ballinale in this County, on the body of a respectable middle class farmer named James Prunty. It appears the deceased, a feeble old man of 76 years of age, went into an out-house occupied by his own bull for the purpose of cleaning it out, and while in the act of doing so, the bull broke its chain and turned on him. By the interposition of providence, his daughter, a deaf mute, happened to come that way, and looked into the bull-house, her attention having been attracted by seeing the door lying open; and there, at the instant her eyes rested on the interior, she saw her aged father tossed high in the air above the bull's head; when he fell on the ground the bull gored him with his horns, pawed him with his feet, and raged with fury. The daring girl—the poor deaf mute—did not hesitate for an instant, but with most surprising presence of mind rushed to the rescue. She caught up the old man's stick which she saw on the floor as she entered, and seizing the bull by a copper ring in his nose, she thrashed him soundly on the head. The struggle was terrific—it was one of life and death, both for herself and the old man who now lay helpless at her feet. The bull did not tamely submit to his chastisement, but directed his assault on the lone girl; he tore her from her ankle to her armpit, struck her on the breast, and dashed her against the wall: but still she clung with a death grasp to his nose, and belaboured him with the stick, until she finally conquered and forced the infuriated animal to yield to her command. She then threw away the stick, and changing the ring into her right hand, raised the disabled old man from the ground and carried him on her left arm outside the door, forced back the bull, and closed the door in his face. Such heroic conduct as this has seldom been manifested by the bravest of men, but it is almost beyond credence that the deaf mute who was examined before the jury through an interpreter could have performed such an extraordinary feat. Yet so it was, and the jurors one and all were thoroughly satisfied with the clear and intelligible description of the most minute particulars of the occurrence exhibited by this most wonderful girl. It is sad to say that after all her exertions, the poor old man died in an hour after his release from the bull-house. The jury handed to the coroner the following memorandum at the close of the proceedings:—

"We cannot separate without putting on record our entire admiration of the heroic conduct of Bridget Prunty (an orphan and deaf mute), who, at the risk of her life, relieved her aged father, James Prunty, from the furious assault of his own bull, (from the effects of which he died yesterday), by catching him by a ring in his nose, and while holding him back, carried the old man on her left arm out of the house in which he was attacked: and we urgently recommend her to the notice of those benevolent gentlemen who appreciate and reward such an act of noble daring for the preservation of human life."

"Given at Aughaward, 22nd Jan., 1878, Bartholomew Quinn, Foreman." (For self and fellows), "M. Fullam, Coroner."

Longford Journal.

We are glad to say that on hearing of the bravery of this little deaf and dumb girl, Mr. Harman, M.P., at once sent £5, and many other friends also shewed their appreciation of the girl's conduct in a practical way.

The following touching lines were composed by a Deaf friend after seeing the account in the "Longford Journal":—

THE BRAVE DEAF MUTE.

The tale of bravery I tell, Will your attention hold, Though not performed on battle field, Nor by a warrior bold. An Irish girl, to whom the Lord Nor speech nor hearing gave, Tho' but a poor deaf mute was she, Her heart was stout and brave. Deaf, dumb, yes, poor and motherless, Friendless and obscure; Only her father left to her, And he was old and poor. A farmer he, and owned a bull, That in a shed was chained, For it was savage, but one day Its liberty obtained. The poor old man was unaware The bull had broke its chain, Until the beast upon him turned Ere he the door could gain. The dumb girl neared the open shed, As she the threshold crossed; Oh! dreadful sight, her father high By savage bull was tossed. She could not hear if help was nigh, She could not call for aid; So quick to rescue him she ran, Too brave to feel afraid. One hand she slipped within a ring, That through its nose was placed; And with her father's stick upraised, The angry bull she faced. Oh! then ensued a struggle, fit To fill her heart with dread; While at her feet her father lay, To all appearance dead. Long and fierce the battle raged Between the bull and maid; Nor would she yield, tho' by its horns Her side was open laid. Blow after blow upon its head, With heavy stick she rained, Until the savage beast was cowed, And she the victory gained. And then the stick away she threw, (But held on as before,) Her father with one arm she raised, And slowly neared the door. Then back into the shed she forced The bull, and slammed the door, While in her aching, bleeding arms, Her father's form she bore. But, sad to say, her father dear, Whom thus to save she tried, Had been so injured by the bull, In one short hour he died. An orphan now, alone and poor, Homeless, and deaf and dumb; Oh, who will help some christian friends, To make for her a home? If you who read these simple lines, With speech and hearing blest, And have it in your power to aid And comfort the distressed, Oh! think of this brave-hearted girl, And help her in her need;— With voice and pen on her behalf For timely help I plead.