The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1874-02-12
A Debtor For Life.
A STRANGE STORY.


clan named Weiting, of Syracuse, n. Y,
was just beginning to reap commensurate
reward for previous career of selfdeny-
ing industry and needy endurance-hav-
ing developed an ability as a professional
lecturer by which both reputation and
profit were coming to him rapidly.
A part of the qualification he experien-
ced in this rise was in the thought that it
would enable him, possibly, to help some
"forlorn and ship-wrecked brother;"
wherever he went his heart and hand
were ever ready for kind and generous
deeds, and in addressing an audience he
was quick to discern in it any apparently
poor student, to whose suppositious case
might be addressed words of cheer and
sympathy.
During series oflectures on physiology
and the laws of health, at Quincy, Mass,
in the winter of 1919, he noticed among
the regular students palefaced, poorly
attired, and singularly intellectual-lo looking
young man. whose earnest attention and
fixed gaxe individualized him to such a
degree in his observation, that at last he
found himselfa almost designating him spe-
cially, in some of his remarks. From Quin-
cy the lecturer went with his course to
Plymouth in the same State, and when
there, again the strange youth appeared
as one of his auditors He determined to
ascertain who he was, but before he could
take the ordinary steps to such end, the
faithful follower undertook his own intro
duction.
After the lecture, one evening, the
youthful stranger sought the Doctor on
the platform, and giving his name as W.
q. Wright, asked the privilege of brief
conversation. He was, he said, poor
Massachusetts boy, not yet ofage, without
relatives or friends, who felt in himself
possibility of great things, and an irresist-
ible inspiration to find some one who
had the mind and means to assist. Acct
dent had led him to attend the first lee
ture in Quincy, when at first sight of the
lecturers face he had been impressed
with n sense Of a peculiar natdiaf sympa.
thy between them.
Aside from the matter of scientific dis
course, the speakers personality had ex-
ercised magnetic influence over him, not
to be described or resisted, so that he
had been compelled to follow to Plymouth.
1t was his final conviction that the speak
or who so influenced him, could be no
other than the great friend whom his
leeds had instgated him to look for, and
in this belief he now wished to submit a
certain proposition.
The California gold fever had just bro
ken out; he felt absolutely sure that if he
could 60 out as a miner, it would be to
certain riches, and his proposition was,
that in consideration of receiving half Of
the proceeds Of the golden venture, the
lecturer should supply him with pecuni-
arv outfit Of one thousand dollars.
81 shall surely succeed" concluded the
youth, with singular earnestness of man
ner. "Only lend me the sum 1 ask, and
have faith in my honesty, and will make
fortunes for both Of us. Trust me, and
you shall find me true y
Extraordinary and incongruous as this
proposition to a scientific lecturer was,
DR.. Weitng did not receive it so astound'
edly as more ordinary person might
have done. The stranger had magnetlzed
him in his turn, and the disposition to
charity, of which previous mention has
been made. inclined him to take peculiar
view of the curious application. Hence,
instead of dismissing the applicant as a
lunatic. or as very audacious and shall
low impostor, he told him to call upon
him at his rooms on the following day.
Nor did subsequent reflection, and con-
yersaton with his more worldly minded
brother, who was his business agent induce
the benevolent lecturer to think worse OF
his would be Californian. In short. at
the next appointed interview, he thought
still more highly Of the youths sincerity,
ability and confident mission, and after an
earnest conversation ,bade the youth come
with him to Boston, where the money
should be given him.
Wright went to that city, of course, re-
ceiyed the thousand dollars, and, with the
words repeated. "you shall find me true"
departed quietly and resolutoly for the
gold-felds of the Pacific Slope. BY in
compatible instinct, rather than reason, DIR.
Weiting felt sure that his generosity in so