The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-03-19
An Incident Of the Rebellion.


yearlS54, a planter living near Hous-
ton, Texas, was inspired for adven-
ture by the current stories Of wonder
full gold findings at Pixies Peak, and
importuned from his wife her consent
to his departure. While ostensibly
thrifty, tho plantation was really en-
numbered by debt, and some new fl
nancial departure seemed necessary
for its redemption. Perhaps this was
tho final reason Inducing Mrs. Du
Bosses assent. At any rate, the
planter started for the distant mining
country, after taxing the family
means severely for his outfit, with the
hope Of finding enough of the pre-
ciOus orc TO return in year or two as
rich man. Nearly always desper-
ate game of chance, gOld-ligging Is
particularly perilOus hazard for the
adventurer Of mature years who
stakes the very home of his flesh and
blood upon II. Du Bose was not sue
cessful in 1t. His letters from the
Peak told of continued disappOint-
ment and hardship, though ever ex-
pressive OF q determination to fight
the battle yet longer. What time his
patient and devoted wife, and an in
tant son, born year before tho anna
teur miners departure, knew many
denials at home i'm the exigencies of
the embarrassed estate, and could on
ly respond to the discOuraging mes
sages of the husband and father with
love and prayer.
Such was the story, tsld in much
interrupted correspondence, back and
forth, until the memorable tumult
and descriptions of war In 1861 cut off
all postal communication whatever
between the warning sections of the
nation. Before that time Mrs. Du
Bose had been obliged to sell the UNI
lucky plantation and remove with
her little boy to the neighbOrhOOd of
of some of her relatives i'm New Or
leans and when hostilitieS began the
mother and child were guests of Mrs.
Jennings, a sister of the former, I'm the
Crescent City. Borne down by her
sorrows and the public ranxieties OF
the time, the poor lady died soon
| after the battle of Sumter, and the
young orphan fell to the charge of
his aunt.
And now this boy becomes the
hero of the tale. Left chiefly to his
own resources after his mothers
death, the little fellow passed much
of his time in the streets, and thus,
when the national forces occupied
New Orleans, became q familiar of
various barracks. One day Colonel
Vance, of the FOrty-sevcnth Indiana,
whose quarters he had infested for
nearly q week, was induced by hand
some face and neglected appearance
to question him of his history. AS his
childish replies suggested no idea OF
q good home, but did reveal his
Orphanage, he was taken straightway
| to the the HOOsier officers kind heart
as waif worth saving. In short,
the COlOnels imperfect understand
ing OF his circumstances, and his
own Juvenile eagerness to go with
the soldiers, resulted in his summary
adoption as q son of the regiment.
Almost Immediately thereafter the
gallant Indianians were ordered
NOrthward and took their PrOtege
with them; and from thencefOrth
to the end of tho war the little
SOuthron rode a black pony beside
his COlOnel's charger, and had n
thorough baptism of fire.
With that same ending of the war
came back the misguided miner of
Pixies Peak, who, while cast off from
all hope of Southern return or home
letters by wars wall of flame, hal
wandered to California AMI there
made the long sought fortune. In
New Orleans they told him of his
wife's death and his sons disappear
ance. Whittier tho lad had gone
none could say he had left his aunt's
house one day to look at the Yankee
soldiers and never returned. AS
may be imagined this intelligence
filed the self-accusing mans cup OF
grief. But he could not believe the
missing boy was dead. In the New
Orleans and other newspapers he All
verified large rewards for the return
or news of his straying child, and
visited all his own and his late wife's
relatives throughout tho South for
tidings or counsel. Numerous inn
positOrs answered the advertisement;
but when put to the test of question
as to the family names, etc, were
found wanting. Disguised mt these
attempted impOsitiOns, as well rs dis
heartcned otherwise, Mr.. Du Bose
at last DISAPPEARED again-gOing back
tOi California IL was suppOsed-and
the search rested.
In the meantime the lost heir, upon
resumption of peace, went home
with his Colonel to the latter's home
i'm Portland Jay County Ind. and
subsequently, when his Western
friends broke up housekeeping, be-
took himself to AtchisOn, i'm Kansas.
1t was about four years ago, while
preparing himself for future self
support by studying at the Circle
vile College i'm Kansas, that some
friend of Colonel Vance's remember
cd having seen his fathers advertise
ment i'm some paper, and told the
student thereof. But the paper could
not be found. the details were very
indistinctly recalled, and only lately
has young Du Bose, now n clerk i'm Il
hotel ut indianapolis, become aware
of all the circumstances of the pater-
nal search and failure. According to
the Indianapolis Sentinel, which re-
lates the whole romance in admirable
style, the son II now rs much ut n loss
| to discover the whereabouts of his
father as the latter formerly was to
reclaim him, having Travelled all
over the Southwest i'm vain pursuit of
some recent clue to tho cX-planter's
present place Of abode. lie has
secured ample proofs of his identity,
however; believes that his missing
sire is somewhere in California and
doubts not that due correspondence
with California postmasters, and adj
vertisements in proper journals,
will yet restore him to the paternal
arms and n fine fortune. 10