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THE BABY'S SMILE

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, Cal. · Dec 6, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 49.

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THE BABY'S SMILE.

Experience of a Bachelor.

ONE afternoon I came into a Korean village, and while waiting the arrival of the horse with my books, provisions, cot-bed, and bedding, I amused a crowd of children with a little free-hand drawing. Among the group there was a little girl with a baby about two years old on her back.
It was a plump, pretty baby, with wonderfully regular features and large black eyes, and it was surprising to me how good-natured it was, considering the fact that its head was literally covered with matter a quarter of an inch thick, under which the diseased, itching scalp must have been exceedingly tormenting. His little hands went up constantly to his head and his small finger nails tore his scalp until it bled.
Native House in Huahine.
Native House in Huahine.
I stood it as long as I could and then sent for the child's mother. I had her bring a vessel and some warm water, and I took some good soap, made a lather, and washed and rubbed and scratched the baby's head for half an hour. While the experience was new and in this case rather disagreeable to me, it seemed quite pleasing to the baby, which moved its head about under my hands, as if the sensation of relief was very grateful to it. I worked until I noticed the baby getting pale, and then, being inexperienced in such matters, I was afraid to continue, not knowing what might happen to a two-year-old baby having its head washed for the first time in its life and under such circumstances.
I carefully dried its head and wrapped it up in a towel. The next morning the mother told me that it slept better that night than it had for a good many weeks. I brought my soap and rubbed and dug for another half hour, and this time got the little head comparatively clean, and drying it, wrapped it as before in a dry towel.
After I had finished and stepped aside to view theresult, the baby turned its head, looked at me, and gave me the sweetest smile I ever had.—Korean Methodist.