AN ARTFUL DODGER.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1871, 2 January 1875, Page 3

AN ARTFUL DODGER.

1 The H!ome News records the following, which is a characteristic instance.of the ingenious American trading on the . credulity or sympathies of John Bull:— There dwells at Connellsville, Fayelte County,'Pennsylvania^-such. at least, is the address he gives—a most benevolent, • man, whose name ought to be better ! known all over the world. His -goodness is almost overpowering. " It is true that ' ifc always takes a particular form; but Fate feems to be so kind to him that he has always- exactly the very thing-he wants upon which to expend bis charity. The victims of his kindness bear a like^ ness to each other, which is so striking, that it is quite impossible to believo that it is mere chance which brings them in his way.. The benevolent*, American in ques- -]■ tion is *by name William Parker, by, profession he'is a doctor. The marvel is that his'- services arc being constantly required for a young Englishman who has come to Connellsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, sick and destitute. = Another remarkable circumstance -is that Parker's prescience enables,him' to a glance that his -patient's case is The docter sits .by the bedside"; he'muses; and so accustomed-is Jie to pursuo the same line of thought under similar circumstances/"that ho invariably whispers softly of his^patient—" You are a gentleman';. you are a scholar; and you are a stranger in a strange land, penniless and friendless." The doctor goes home. He tells the tale to his wife. Considering how many times she has heard it before, it is not extraordinaiy that her comment is short. It is somewhat singular, however, that she makes the invariable remark, somewhat stale by this time, " If you'll doctor, I'll nurse him.'! , Tin unfailing result_always is that the young Englishman comes .tq.die with Dr and Mrs,Parker. Mrs Parker must begin to think that Britons are rather a tame set of creatures, so ntuch alike as to be insipid; for the young Englishmen she has nursed have, all been twentyeight, all of the middle, height, all with . -slight figures, oval faces, blue * eyes, fair complexions, light hair and very cxiltured and refined in appearances and manners!. Britons havo another peculiarity such as

— ■ - ■ ■••:"?■■■• -' ! would lead to the inference that they are? the most secretive nation upon earthi They all refuse to tell anything about themselves, except; they have met withmany troubles and a great loss. Wheri deatn. is near, however, they relent, give their name, say that they have a relative! in England, and ask Dr. Poj;]cer to write to him and beg for the burial expensesi Dr. Parker does so. The same event has) happened;; so often that he never take 3 thd trouble to compose another letter. The old one does. But bless you ! he does not want the money. "If" (he says to th^ blue-eyed young Englishman's relative^ " you choose to pay me for his interment^ well and good ; if not, I shall see that hq .is^eqept&bpriecl." I**, s»om^ cas^?' ijQF-f igtteVreaeiies nas no biue%ed; -frfentlriiji; Yankee-land. This is a slight error, n<; doubt; and when a couple are so benevoflent as Dr and Mrs Parker a small mjsl take may be excused. Still, when nex| tney write the recipient of their lettejf should }>c careful. , " . ■. -^ ? / {