The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1873-05-31
Miss Snittle's PrOtege.


of grace, adopted protege. She had
no definite plan of how she should
manage the young idea but she meant
he should be trained after the manner
of parsons in general, and Parson Gum
in particular. So, bright and early one
morning she selected from the chari-
table institution of the village little
boy who was to be the young heather
upon whom she was to cxpend her time
end patience, aud thereby secure a small
portion of the reward she 30 much
coveted. Proselyting was hard task
even for the indomitablc Nj iss Snittlc !;
but Parson Gum did such work ,very
day oil his life, and why should not she,
who hoped some day to be robed in
glory as the parsons wife !? She did
not even know the lads history, nor
had she any desire to inquire into his
disposition or general character be yond
the fact that he was very needy orphan.
What is your name 2 she asked at
last. after she had reached her cottage
and ushered the urchin into the kitchen.
Jack, a'am.'
Jack what, lad 2
Muffin, 'cept Jack, as I knows on
What, no other name than Jack p
Yes, I'm, Flip, Squin, Pony
'Saiuts defend us, cried the astonish.
ed lady, what would the parson say il
he could hear you tulk ! You must call
yourself Snittle, after me do you hear
Then, Ise Jack Sni,tlc, isIT
Yes. Now, then, suppose some b y
should ask you directly what your name
is, what would you reply 2
I'D chick him in the snoot, aud say
mind y'r biz, will yc'
ooh, dear me, what have done to
take this creature on my hands but
then she added after pause, he'll
be chcrub whcn he is couverted.'
s. Jack had not becm accustomed to
family prayers, that was certain, else he
would not have rolled over 80 regularly
each time that he was told to knee
down; and, before many days had
passed, Miss Sn;,tle found it necessary
10 keep one eye on the young man, cvcn
while he was at his dc"utiuns.
Jacks place was iutolcrablc to him
He could not understand why he was
made TO lead life that was SO disagree.
able, when he had been very well con
tented where he was before.
But he was inclined to bc-good natur-
cd, aud although Miss Snittle found it
necessary to call in the parson frequent
ly To talk over the welfare of his soul, d,
he might not have been unruly at all
had not the alternative be IN forcel ~
on him. The truth is that Miss Snittle
was SO absorbed in her admiration for
one minister that she thought it would
be great triumph to make another of
Jack, aud SO she built air castles that
would have amazed the young rascal
had he known Of thcm.
Now, Miss Sniltic dill not care pin
for the boy, outside Of the part he was
to play in the furtherance of her scheme,
| and somehow Jack had found this ont.
Children are wise sometimes, and this
younSster knew as we'll perhaps us the
idlers about the village that her was the
sport Of n whim, and that Miss Snittle's
only feeling for him was one Of utility.
She said II was for the glory of God
she was working, but Jack interpreted
Eer motives differently, aud ,hot ,ha, it
was to Parson Gum he was indebted
for her efforts in his behalf
He was sent, as other children 10 the
place were, to the free accudcny but
in the afternoon he was not permitted
to play in the street, us he dearly loved
to do, or hang on the euds of wagons,
as he 80 much desired In view of the
brilliant career in store for him he must
read; listen to his elders (who happen
ed TO be aged spinsters aud iu some de-
gree rivals Of Miss Snitt!c,) aud repeat
hymn for the amusement Of any
chance visitor. To further instruct the
child Il the duties of his future calling,
his patron made him surpico and
white gown, such us the choir boys in
great churches war, aud in order to
deeply impress him with sense of