Oroville Union High School - Nugget Yearbook (Oroville, CA)

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attributed it to the natural development of a normal child. Later when Mrs. Vance felt that she was strong enough to bear the truth he told her of the death of her little son and the finding aDd substitution of this one so like theirs, O! tieorge” she exclaimed, think how the poor mother must have suffered,” and she wept, not only for the loss of her own, although Alan had completely taken its place in her heart. All efforts to find trace of the child's parents were useless so they kept and loved this small boy. One day in early autumn Mr. and Mrs. Vance were sitting on the steps of their cabin watching Alan, who was playing nearby. “See mama, now I’m a hunter going out to Rhoot big black bears and elefants. and potamusas”—but soon tiring of the hunt he said Say. mama, play I’m dust your little boy and I’m losted and you can’t find me.” Mrs. Vance shuddered, No. Alan, mama don’t like that game, she doesn’t want to lose you even in play.” Howdy,” said a rough miner who had come up. unobserved by either Mr. Vance or his wife, Reckon you could put me up for the night? You see stranger, as how I've lost my way and its getting pretty nigh onto night—there’s no moon tonight neither.’ Mr. Vance replied that they would be glad to accommodate him and invited him in. where Mrs. Vance set before him a pimple evening meal. That was sure good.” said he, as he disposed of the last mouthful, don’t know when I’ve been so hungry—lost my path this morning crossing a stream and then I lost my way —came over from Ferndale this morning. Ever been there?” “Never even heard of it before,” replied Mr. Vance, whe-e is it?” ’Jlist the other side of the mountain. Mighty fine place. The 'd had some prefty tough luck there, that is the postmaster, sort of an old grouch, but it's not much wonder. Lost his child about three months ago.” “Why, did it die?” said Mr. and Mrs. Vance at the same time, for the same thought had come to both. Nope, worse'n that—it wandered off into the forest and they never knew what became of it on account of that his wife went insane and now he's- why what’s wrong,” as he suddenly noticed the expression on the faces of his listeners. Did you ever know the child?” asked Mr. Vance. “Nope, I never seed it but I remember something was said about golden curls and blue eyes—it must have been about the age of your boy there.” What's the man's name?” lieotwick. Harry Bentwick—happen to know him?” No.” said Mr. Vance, but 1 think I know something that concerns him very closely. I found this child on the mountain side and as I could find no trace of its parents kept it in place of my own little one who died.” Well I’ll be blowed; If this isn’t a queer w’orld! Who'd a thought it? 1 guess I kin spare the time if you need a guide. Oolr to start tomorrow'?” All preparations were made that night for an early start. Mr. and Mrs. Vance, although it hurt them terribly to give Alan up. yet were glad for the sake of those whom they had so long deprived of their dearest treasure. 14

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depth of her forest and mountains to make their abode there for the sake of finding out her secret. An occasional faint train, however, gave evidence that she had ever found those with a heart stout enough or with an overflowing desire for gain, to endure the vast loneliness of her wild passes. liven these, at times, felt almost as if they must give it all up and leave for, try as they might, they could not shut out of their minds, or out of their very souls, the overpowering consciousness ol their loneliness and insignificance, when compared with the surrounding wonders of nature. The same day that Alan Bentwick disappeared. George Vance, a prospector was out in search ol game. He had lately come to this wild lonely place because his wife’s health demanded a higher altitude. Even now she was too ill to permit him to go a day’s Journey to the mining camp for supplies. While traveling the gloomy forest, his thoughts were a'most as dark as the paths he trod. He could not keep his mind from dwelling on the misfortunes of the last few days. It was hard —Me t ree-year-old child. Alan had taken ill and died two days previous.—died while his wife was In such a critical condition thai to tell her might be to hasten. If not direcily cause her death and he would be left in this great lonesome plaie alone -far from friends—home—old ties— with none but his dead and his God to call his own. This last thought made him wince and he lifted a silent prayer that he might be made strong to bear any trial which might come. A slight movement in the underbrush attracted his attention and upon going closer he saw a gleam of white through the leaves. Breaking through the entangled branches, the sight that met his eyes caused his heart to -13 stop leating. There upon the ground lay his child as if asleep! Or was it a dream? But, no, it was reality—some wild beast must have dug his child from the little grave the father had dug with such pains. As if troubled by its dreams the child moved in its sleep and cried “Papa . The words fell sweetly upon the father's ears though he felt more strongly than ever it must be a dream from which he would soon waken. The baby face was cruelly scratched and tom by the briers and his cheeks stained with lately shed tears—no, the child was no his, but so wonderfully like his that only a parent could tell the difference. Where could the child belong? He knew of no near cabin or village from which the little one might have wandered. Could it be that some one could have been so heartless as not to want it and had left it here to die? The thought made him sick at heart, and lifting the child tenderly from the ground h carried it home to take the place, as nearly : .s possible, of the one who was gone forever. The child awoke as he entered the doorway and cried. Mama,—mama!” Mrs. Vance, aroused by the baby's cry. opened her eyes and looked around, as one In a dream. Alan” she called, and (Jeorge carried the little one across the room and laid it in the rude bed beside her. Alan clasped her around the neck with his little arms and fell asleep, murmering. Mama. I fought I was losted. but here you Is.” Mrs. Vance steadily improved and was soon as well and strong as ever. She noticed a great change in ner boy but

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Next morning dawned dear and bright both on the mountain-cabin and in the valley the other side of the mountain. Peace and joy seemed supreme in every home in the valley, except in the Bent wick house alone. There, one was aware of a deep settled gloom which pervaded the whole atmosphere of the place. Mr. Bent wick restlessly and aimlessly passed the day. His spirits were depressed and it seemed as if he could do nothing. Evening came and he sat down by the table and tried to read but merely sat with the paper hefore him. His mind reviewed the past few months. After all. why live at all. if one had to suffer as he had Gone? There was no loving God who was Father and Maker of all the world, or he would not see the creation of his hands puffer like that. No, if there was one He must be very cruel and harsh—He did not care—wouldn’t it be better to end it all than— I think I hear little Alan coming,” said Mrs. Bentwick. coming into the room. It's time he was in his little bed.” Although he had heard her talk thus night after night yet Mr. Bentwick winced, for she had struck the one tender spot in his nature by mention of the boy’s name. Mr. Bentwick again tried to center his thoughs on his paper but just then footsteps sounded on the path and some one knocked at the door. He rose to open it, but Mrs. Bentwick sprang before him and opened the door with a cry of Alan.” and into her arms walked the one she had looked for these many long, sad. -15 weary days. She broke down and wept while Mr. Bentwick, unashamed of his emotion embraced his wife and child while the tears coursed down his cheeks. Over Mrs. Bentwick came the feeling that things were the same as before the disappearance of little Alan and gradually the fog which had settled over her brain had lifted and she remembered the past three months only as a nightmare. She looked at her child and husband with her former expression of love and tenderness, while Mr. Bentwick saw it and rejoiced with a full heart. As soon as Mrs. Bentwick was released from her husband's embiace, Mrs. Vance who had regarded her wonder-ingly stepped up to her with arms outstretched and an unutterable longing in her face, Mary have you forgotten? Will you forgive? Alice—forget you? Never. Oh. at last my cup of joy is full!” Then turning to the men who were astonished at the resemblance the two women bore each other—Mrs. Bentwick said. “Harry, this Is my sister. Alice, of whom you have so often hard me speak. We parted many years ago with angry words and lost all trace of each other. I have prayed nightly for this hour and it has come. God is good. He has restored my sister. He has restored my child. “Truly he is good. said Mr. Bentwick from a thankful heart. Mr. Vance added reverently, “A little child shall lead them.