Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1852-01-20
THE LITTLE STRANGER.

Though man of very strict principles, no man
ever enjoyed joke more than Dr.Byron ;he had
vast fund of humor. and everyday wit, and with
children particularly, he loved 10 chat famarly
and draw them out. AS he was one day passing
into the house, he was accosted by very little
boy, who asked him if he wanted any sauce, mean
ing vegetables. The doctor inquired If such a
tiny thing was market man. .'No sir my faith
err" was the prompt answer. The doctor sao'
Bring me in some squashes," and passed into
the house, sending out the change. In few mo.
ments the child returned, bringing hack part oil
the change; the doctor told him he was welcome
to it but lhe child would not take it back, say.
ing his father would blame him. Such singular
manners in child attracted his attention, aud he
began to examine the child attentively: he was
evidently poor, his little jacket was peIced and
patched with almost every kind OF cloth, ana ms
trowsers darned with so many colors 1t was DIM
cult 10 tell the original fabric, but scrupousy neat
and clean withal. The boy very quietly endured
the scrutiny of the doctor, while holding him at
arms length, and examining his face. At length
he said.-
You seem nice little boy won't you come and
live with me and be doctor!"
ayes sir" said the child.
"Spoken like man. said the doctor pattlng
his head as he dismissed him.
A few weeks passed, when one day jim came
TO say there was little boy with bundle down
stairs wanting to see the doctor, and would not
tell his business to any one else. "Send him up,
was the answer; and in few moments he re-
cognized the boy of the squashes (but no squash
himself, as we shall see J he was dressed IN
new though coarse suit of clothes, his hair very
nicely combed, his shoes brushed up, and little
bundle, tied in homespun checked handkerchief,
on his arm. Deliberately taking off his hat, and
laying it down with his bundle, he walked up TO
the doctor, saying.
~ have come sir"
"Come for what, my child"
"Tn live with yon, anu be DOCTOR said the
child, with the utmost 7laiuete.
The first impulse OF the doctor was TO laugh
immoderately; but the imperturable gravity OF
the little thing rather sobered him, as he recalled
too, his former conversation, and he aVowed ne
felt he needed no addition to his family.
Did your father consent to your coming !" nc
asked.
.Yes sir.''
"What did he says
a. told him you wanted me to come ana i've
with you and be doctor and he said you was a
very good man, and might come as soon as my
clothe aere ready"
"And your mother, what did she say J!
, "She said DR.. Byron would do Just what ne
said he would, ard God had provided tor me.
And said he, "l have new suit OF clothes' sur
veying himself, "and here is another III the bun
de-" undong the kerchief, and displaying them'
with two little shirts white as snow, ana coupe
OF neat checked aprons 50 carefully foioeu' II was
PLAIN none but mother would have done II. Inc
sensibilites of the doctor were awakened 10 see
the fearless, the undou5tng trust with which t'at
poor couple had bestowed their child upon HIM.
and such child. His cogItations were not long
he thought of Moses in the bulrushes, abandoned
to Providence and above all, he thought OF the
child tn was carried into Egypt, and that divine
Saviour had said, " Blessed be little children
and he called for the wife Of his bosom, saying,
Susan. dear, think we pray in church that God
will have mercy upon all young children
ITO be sure we do" said the wondering VIE
"ahd what then -
"And the Saviour said, Whosoever sSeceveth
one such child in my name, receveth mic j. take
this child in his name. and take care OF hum
and from this hour this good couple received him
occur 10 them that one Of the most eminent ply
sicians and best Of the age stood before them
in the person Of that child il did not occur to
them that this little creature, thus thrown upon
their charity, was destined to be their staff and
stay in declining age-a protector TO their daugh-
ters, and more than son 10 themselves, all this
was then unrevealed but they cheerfuily receI-
we'd the child they believed Providence had COM
milted to their care and if ever benifcence was
rewarded, it wns in this instance.-Family Cir
Gle and Parlor Magazine.