From the Richmond Enquirer, 9/25/1862, p. 1, c. 7

A YOUTHFUL SHARPER. – A boy about twelve years of age, dressed in “butter-nut” jeans, entered General Hospital No. 7, on Tuesday evening, about four o’clock, and with a confidence style equal to the efforts of any regularly-educated Jerrimy Diddler, proceeded to canvass the wards, representing to the patients that he had been authorized to wait upon them and procure any little necessaries or delicacies that they might wish to purchase. The boy’s amazing suaviter[?] in mode led many of the patients to place in his hands quite a handsome little sum, wherewith to obtain the good things desired, but with which the youngster decamped. In some instances notes of a large denomination were given to him, in order to get change. The little scamp ought to be hunted up by the police and brought to punishment.

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