Japhet, in Search of a Father

nd we become more puzzled with our new companions-We

ep. I was awakened the next morning by feeling a hand

hand, will you?" cri

hout the least sign of manhood on his chin. His face was cadaverous, with large goggling eyes, high cheek bones, hair long and ragged, reminding me of a rat's nest, thin lips, and ears large almost as

ur hand in my pocket?

chief," replied the young man. "I al

our neighbour

a vacant stare. "Well, so it is,

d drew out his handkerchief, if the rag deserved the appellation.

t his dress, which was a pair of loose white

, I'm th

replied I, still much puzzled with

y nature. It is a half-witted creature, who serves me when I would attract the people. Strange in this

face it was difficult to decipher, as it was evidently painted, and the night's jumbling in the wagon had so smeared it, that it appeared of almost every colour in the rainbow. On one side of him lay a l

rance, I presume," sai

"I never saw one like you before,

obably if you meet me aga

and," replied Timothy,

tained to be his profession; "but the wagon has stopped, and the driver will bait his horses.

stuffed the end of it into Jumbo's mouth. "Now, Jumbo will think he has got s

wash, and then for a shilling were permitted to make a very hearty breakfast. The wagon having remained about an hour, the driver gave us notice of his departure; but the doctor was no where to be found. After a little delay, the wagoner drove off, cursing him for a bilk, and vowing that he'd never have any more to do with a "lamed man." In the mean time, Timothy and I had taken our seats in the wagon, in company with the fool, and Master Jumbo. We commenced a conversation with the former, and soon found out, as the doctor had asserted, that he really was an idiot, so much so, that it was pa

d welcome," rep

a stick were in his hand. He smiled as he looked round upon the company, and showed a beautiful set of teeth. His face was dark, and sun-burnt, but very handsome, and his eyes as black as c

don," was

here the turnips seem to have failed alt

not satisfy him on that point,

d he. "However, the barleys look well; b

pt up for two or three hours, in the course of which I

hen turned upon his profession and mode of life, which Timothy and I agreed must be ver

eed," replied Ti

wish to lay a bet, and win your money; but I tell you, that I will put either the one or the other into each of your hands, and if yo

," replied Tim; and I m

tell or not." He took out some money from his pocket, which he selected without our seeing it, put a coin in

me on the way side thus, having agreed to pay the sum demanded. At my age one walketh not without fatigue, Excipenda tam

" cried Timothy, wit

an, "and tell me, before you ope

ny in mine

in mine,"

hands, and t

is it?" exclaimed

's the doctor?" repl

doctor's pocket," rep

is the docto

ntly at us. "I thought you were certain of knowing him again.

he continued, "If I had not found out that you were in want of employ, and further, that your services would be useful to me, I should not have

I, "that there i

may some day be removed. I make the most of my wares-every merchant does the

onsent. I reflected a few seconds, and at last I extended my ha

do want you. The fact is, I want a lad of gentlemanly address, and handsome appearance-with the very know

e grammar, and I replied with medical pre

you. But now observe, when we come to the next cross road, we mus

f an hour, when he got out, asked us to follow him, and speaking a few words to the fool, which I did not hear, left him and the boy in the wagon. We paid our fare, took possession of our bundles, and followed our new companion

d from our sight. "Upon my word, Timothy," said I, "I hardly know what to say to this. Have we done right in trusting to this

it. As for his being a quack doctor, I see no great harm in that. People put their faith in nostrums more than they do in regula

nd faith, even in quack medicines, will often make people whole; but

at all events, we need

we may be useful to him, and I suppose we shall be, o