The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-06-06

and Pedro had agreed that little Chispa
should be told nothing of this
l0cket, or the letter that had been sent,
until at least satisfactory reply had
been received. The days passed, while
Jack with his organ, and Chispa with
his tambourine, continued tramping
about the streets playing and singing
as usual, until the time when return
steamer was daily expected, which
Jack hoped would bring the desired in
telligence from the East.
The day came at last when the good
steamship Panama having arrived,
Jack was to 60 to the Postoffice for a
letter. He and Chispa would play and
sing on the way thither: 50 as Jack was
grinding away and Chispa was shaking
his tambourinc and SO wonderfully sing
ing and trilling an old Spanish ballad
near the entrance of one of the great
hotels, they were suddenly confronted
by a gentleman and lady who had just
alighted from the hotel coach, which had
brought them and other passengers from
the newly-arrived steamer. Mr.. and
Mrs. Terhune almost instantly recog-
nized BERTHE; and he very soon recalled
the voice and face of his mother in the
midst of her fearful caresses. The
locket was produced and identified, and
the equally overjoycd father rapturous-
ly embraced his long lost little boy. So
Chispa's career as street minstrel was
ended.
The theory that BERTHE had been alb
Quoted had never been entertained by
the stricken parents, even in the face
of the fact that the body could not be
found. 1t seemed that the little fellow
being passionatcly fond of the water,
would run away when opportunity
offered to the river bank; and it was on
one of these occasions, when playing in
a boat belonging to his father, little
skiff tied to the bank, that he attracted
the notice of Bartolomc, the organ
grinder, as he was passing along the
street between MIR. Terhune's ground
and the river. The finding of the little
hat and blue embroidered sack on the
grass bank was evidence enough that
little BERTHE was drowned. The letter
that Jack wrote had been Immediately
forwarded to MIR. Terhune on its arrival
at the Newark Postof1ice, and the glad
parents resolved to 90 to California in
person on the next steamer, instead of
writing, for they knew a letter could
not get to San Francisco any sooner
than they.
The little community of Chispa's
friends were greatly grieved over the
loss of their pet; and Jack, although he
had been instrumental in restoring him
to his father and mother, was almost
inconsolable when it came to the part
ing. Mr.. and Mrs. Terhune both in
sisted that Jack should return with
them, for Mr.. L. had determined that
he would provide handsomely for his
future, and BERTHE lent his tears to
their entrcaties; but Jack could not be
induced to 60. But on the day before
the departure of the steamer, MIR. T.
having repeatedly urged Jack to let
him know in what manner he could re-
ward him, he ventured to divulge a pet
scheme of his that had been revolving
in his mind during the week the family
had been waiting for the steamer to
start. Jack told Mr.. Terhune that
he would thankfully receive a mod
crate sum of money with which
might be purchased small ranch
near the City of Oakland, across the
bay, on which should be built a COM
Portable dwelling for a home for Pedro
and other poor and feeble people who
had befriended Jack in his time of need.
This request Of the generous-hearted
man was most gladly granted; and in a
few hours the land was bought, and
money, more than Jack had dreamed
of, deposited in bank for buildings and
improvements. The work was speedily
begun, and theoretically and judicious-
ly carried on.
And now. overlooking the beautiful
bay of San Francisco, may be seen the
residence of Capt. John Mansfield-the
"Capt." having been given him by the
title-loving people of the Pacific coast.
His history is known to but very few
of the many people who partake of his
hospitality, and who are greatly inter-
ested in him because he lost both his
hands in the War of the Rebellion. They
call him a very benevolent, eccentric
person, and tell with admiration how
his doors are open to the unfortunate
of every class and race.
His Yankee common sense and
shrewdness enable him to detect
impOsture, and the deserving al
ways receive assistance at his
hands. Those who are able to work
cultivate vegetables, grapes and other
fruits, and flowers, while the sick and
cripplcs are tenderly cared for in the
g hospital department. The grounds
and ranch, or farm, as we in New En-
gland would call it, form as beautiful a
place as can be found within fifty miles
of the q" Golden Gate.''
Pedro still lives, a feeble, lame old
man; and rs he is wheeled on sunny
days about the grounds of the Mansfield
residence by an attendant, he almost
fancies himself lord of one of those
beautiful vinc-growing estates near his
native Malaga in Spain.
BERTHE has grown to be fine, tall
boy. He has been once to California
since his first trip with Bartolome by
water; and expects to visit his old
friends again with q classmate next
vacation. He will never forget Jack,
but loves him next to his father and
mother; while Jack looks back to that
fearful time when he was on the brink
of despair, and wishes he could impress
upon all respondent souls the truth Of
Bertie's song:
God with earthly ills entwineth
Hope and comfort from above;
Everywhere His mercy shireth;
God is wisdom, God is love-"
-4m,aic a. Preston, u. Sunday after.
noon.
People who are living on hope and
small loans. on the strength of being
heirs to English estates, may be in
terested to learn that under the laws