Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1852-03-05
The Little Stranger,

Though a man of very strict principles, no
man ever enjoyed joke more tnan Dr.. Bryon.
lie had vast fund of humor and every day
wit, and with children particularly. he loved'to
chat ianiliarty, and draw item out As he
was one day passing into the house, he was
accosted by very little boy, who asked him il
he wanted any Saucc-mein,ng vegcrabes.-
The Doctor inquired if such a tiny lhirg was
market man. NO, sir, my father is,' was
the prompt answer. The Doctor said "br.ng
me in some squashcs.' and passed into tie
house, sending ont the change. In few mo.
ment- the cni'd returned, bnngng back part
of the change. The Doctor told HIM he was
welcome to it, but the boy would not take it
back, saying his father would blame him. -
Such singular manners in child attracted his
notice, and lie began to examine the child at
ientvely. lie was evidently poor; his little
Jacket was pjeced and patched with almost eve
ry kind OF cloth, and his trovsors darned with
so many colors, it was difficult to tell the orgi-
nal fabric, but scrupulousIy c can and neat
witha. The boy very quietly endured the
scrutiny of the Doctor, while holding him at
arms length and examining his face. AT
length he said
"lou seem like nice little boy, won't you
"ies, sir said the child.
"Spokcn like a man" said the Doctor, pats
ting his head as he dismissed him.
A few weeks passed on, when one day Jim
came to say there was a little boy with buns
die down stairs, waiting to see the Doctor and
would not tell his business to any one else
"Send him up" was the answer, and in a few
moments he recognized the boy of the squash
~ (hut -h bf a. shall \
lie was dressed in new, though coarse suit
of clothes, his shoes brushed up, aud htlle
bundle, tied in IA home pun check handkerchief
on his arm. Deliberately taking olihis hat and
laying it dowr with his bundle, he walked up
to the Doctor, saying:
81 have come, Sir
"Cotnc for what, my child ~
"To live with you and be Doctor" said the
child, with the utmost naivete.
The first impulse Of the Doctor was to laugh
immoderaleIy but the impertnrbable gravity
of the little thing rather sobered him, as he re-
called to mind his former conversation, and he
ayowed he wanted an addition to his family.
did your father consent to your coming"
he asked
"les sir"
"What did he say :"
81 told him You wanted me to come and live
with you and be doctor, and he said you was
a very good man, and might come as soon as
my clothes were ready"
"And your mother, what did she say;
"Sne said DR.. Bryon would do just what he
said he would, and God had provided
for me. And" said he, 81 hlve on Il new suit
of clothcs,' surveying himself, "and here is an
other in the bundle" unloIng the handkerchief
and displaying them, with two little shirts aS
white rs su w, and couple of neat checked
aprons, so carefully olded it was plain none
but a mother would have done it. The sensl-
bIlItIes Of the Doctor were fully awakened to
see The fearless. the unloubtlng trust the poor
couple had bestowed their child upon him-anl
such a child Ills cogitallons were not long;
he thought of Moses IN the bulrushes, aban
doncd to Pro, dence and above all, he thought
Of the child that was carried into Egypt, and
that the divine Saviour had said -" Blessed be
little children y and called for the wife of his
bosom saying: "rSusan, dear, | think we pray
IN church that God will have mercy on all
young children 7"
40 be sure we do" said the wondering
wife "and what them"
"And the Saviour said. 'Whosoever receiv-
eth one such little child in my name, receiyeth
me ; take the child in his name, and take care
of him" And from that hour the good couple
received MIN to their hearts and home. 1t did
not then occur TO them that one of the most
eminent physicians and best men Of the age
stood before them IN this little creature, thus
thrown upon their charity, destined TO be their
staff md stay III declining age protector 10