GIRLHOOD OF A MAN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 154, 29 June 1907, Page 13

GIRLHOOD OF A MAN.

AN ASTONISHING ROMANCE. " "The Girlhood of a Man," a strarge psychological autobiography just published in Berlin, tells the dramatic and patheiic life story of a highly inteUectuai mi brought up, educated, and employed as a girl. "No. O. Body," as the writer styfis himself, was born in Berlin on Whitsunday, 1861, of German parents. Doubt concerning the child's sex resulted in a dens:on to bring it up as a girl under tae name of Nora. During her earliest school days "Nora" manifested signs of unusual strength, and played so roughly that her girl comrades refused to admit her to their games, compelling her to seek the compaaionship of boys. The youths, however, declined to receive her until she allowed paper to burn in the palm of her hand, and until she scalped her sister's doll while playing Indians.

Alter leaving school "Nora" became an apprentice in a milliner's shop, but gradually her intellectual needs began to assert themselves. Through an advertisement she secured the assistance of a reputable beufitactor, who enaoiea her to become a stuaent at tne University of Berlin. Her studies had the result of making her an ardeut "Suffragette," and she attended meetings and delivered impassioned and eloquent appeals for voces for women. A feiv months later she secured au engagement as correspondent of an American newspaper, and f>ured Russia on iLs behalf, still delivering "Suliragette" lectures. On one occasion, at Starnowo, she made the acquaintance of a young wn nan named Hanna Bernhardowna, aud a pronounced affinity between them immediately expressed itself. The Russia a girl followed --.Nora" from place to place, till one day "Nora's" soul burst its artificial bonds, and revealed itself in the shape of a manly and passionaxe petition for the fair Russian's heart and hand. Physicians in Berlin shortly after pronounced "Nora' the victim of an error. &ne assumed the rights and garments of a mau, and took the name of "iNorbert." Her marriage with the Russian girl was celebrated as sooi? as the complicated legal formalities could be settled.