The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-05-26


On o hot July day in the summer of
1874, boy of perhaps fifteen or sixteen
years, weary and footsore, was making
his way along the dusty highway that
passes the farm of ex-Representative
David E. Croan, four miles north OF this
city. Espying hands at work in har-
vest field near by, he timidly approached
them, and asked to work for something
to eat. Mr.. Croan's son, William, took
him to the house, where his mother gave
him a bountiful dinner. Mr.. Croan
then set him to work. and, finding him
willing and Industrious, employed him
to work. The boy could give but little
account of himself. The first he remem-
bered of himself was travelling from
place to place with his parents, as he
supposed them to be, called Gypsies.
After travelling about for five or six
years, the family finally settled down
near Newcastle, Henry county, this
State. There, after enduring innumera-
BILE hardships and cruelties, he deter
mined to run away from his wretched
surroundings. One evening, after re-
ceiving terrible beating from his father,
he grew desperate, and after dark stole
away, going north and sleeping the lat
ter part of the night near the mounds.
The next day he made his way to Mr..
Croan's and here found a comfortable
home for several months. Since that
time he has worked for several months
in the neighborhood, always being
economical and saving in his habits, and
LAYING by quite sum OF money. few
weeks since he determined to go back tc
Newcastle and visit the home of his
former miseries, in order to see his sister
to whom he was warmly attached. From
his sister, who was much older than
himself, he heard wonderful story
She told him his name was not Hiram
Britney, as he supposed, but Hiram 'Cwi
ford that the Britneys had stolen him
when he was but six or seven years OF
age from his mother, widow by the
name of Twiford, living near Angola,
in Steuben county, this State. His
mother made every effort to find him,
The country was secured; the river was
dredged; advertisements we've inserted
in the newspapers of the day, but all to
no avail, and the mother finally gave up
the search as hopeless, and settling
down to endure as best she could the
horrible agony and doubt surrounding
her child's disappearance. From that
time on up to three weeks since, u period
of sixteen years, no tidings had been re-
eeived of the lost child Young Britney
or Twiford, as we shall hereafter call
him, on hearing this strange story from
his supposed sister, determined to go to
Steuben county at once and fathom the
mystery. Arriving there, he inquired
for family by the name of Twiford. He
was directed to their residence. Knock
ing at the door, he was admitted and in.
yited to take seat. This he did, asking
numerous questions regarding the sur
rounding country, the crops, etc., the
lady eying him closely all the while.
Finally he asked
"Did You lose boy some few years
since?"
eyes" replied the lady, and tears came
unbidden to her eyes, land would give
anything in the world possess to find
him." Another look at the stranger, and
with mothers quick instinct she threw
her arms about him, folded him close
in her loving arms, saying, "My child
INV child! MY long lost child, 1 have
found you at last"
Wnen tne lauy uau IeCOVcAoo noA oeAA
possession sufficiently, the boys story
was told, and his identity established be.
yound doubt, one of the strongest
proofs being . scar on his face. This
news rapidly spread to the neighbo
hood, and hundreds of persons fiocked to
see him, and for some time he was the
lion of the neighborhood.
Mr.. Twiford came back to this county
few days ago, settled mp his business
and returned to Steuben county, here
after to live with his real mother and sis
ter. from whom he was SO long aud
cruelty separated, and to take charge OF
his mothers large farm, on which she
resides. This is, indeed, o romance in
real life, and we can truly say, 1.-The web
Of life is strangely woven.'-I Cincinnati
Enquirer.