The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1895-06-28

ShCu D1dlh WAS ISdu JuSJlnR us CO.
ordinations to the conditions of four
years ago. Mrs. Gust comprehended
the case by intuition, and she bent her
self to win the lads affections anew.
With a tear struggling to fall, she
said:
Your medal says your name is Lit
tie Joeg'
"Yes, ma'am. Is my medal safe?"
said Joe, drawing it out by the chain
with a smile of relief. "Where is my
papa?"
You and your papa were thrown
into the water by the tornado"
The boy unused moment in silence;
and then as his eyes filed with tears,
said:
"Did my papa drown?"
"Poor, dear boy! Your papa was
drowned"
After little while Joe appeared to
understand his bereavement, wept
silently and turned his face to the wall.
Mrs. Gust said no more, and soon after
the lad fell into a heavy sleep.
Then occurred a low consultation be-
tween the foster parents who loved the
boy so well, and had done so much for
him. They were satisfied that some
great change had been wrought in
their young charge, and they
were naturally very anxious as to
its results. Was that newly-aroused
consciousness so strangely induced, to
deprive them of their ward and restore
him to his natural parents? That was
most probable. And while they re-
GREETED the prospect of losing him,
they rejoiced at the boys good fortune
and the prospective reunion of some
loving mother with her long-lost son.
While this conversation lasted, Joe
still slept; and as DIR. Ross had warned
them to let him sleep, they dropt into
silence, Directly the boy walked with
start, as if from n troubled dream,
and exclaimed: Mother"
"We are here, joe" said Mrs. Gust.
Joe made no response. but after short
interval asked if he could have his
breakfast:
Tell nanny, please, am hungry"
"Do you mean your mother, Joe?'
asked Mrs. Gust
NANNY is the black woman" said
Joe; 'but forgot, you do not know
nanny"
Mrs. Gust did not understand this;
but her husband comprehendcd the
boy, and inquired:
Ibid you live where there arc black
people Joe?"
"Yes, cir"
"Well joe" said Mr. Gust, "you
have been eating with ms for nearly
four years, and thislady has been your
mother, because we did not know
where to find your own. She will get
you some breakfast"
This talk of four years residence
among these strange people in a
strange city was too much for the lad S
still confused memory, and he lapsed
into silence. But the breakfast reused
him and he ate heartily. Shortly af-
terward DIR. Ross came in. Joe knew
him as having been present during the
night, and he politely asked when he
could get up.
Just as soon as you feel able" re-
piled the doctor. Then for the pur-
pose of testing the full significance of
the change which had occurred to Joe,
he asked.
What time is it, Joe?"
81 have had my breakfast, SIR" re-
piled Joe, at the same time looking
round the room for a clock.
Joe is no longer living time
keeper" remarked the doctor to Mr..
Gust. Then he said:
Joe, please let us see your medal. y"
The boy felt for it in his bosom,
drew it out and exhibited it still with
the chain on his neck The doctor
read the inscriptions:
Little Joe: June 90, 1919 My
dear boy, you were IL years old yes
terday; and your new birth came on
the anniversary of your advent into
the world.-a remarkable coinci-
dence."
my mother says l am years old,
SIR" said Joe politely, but much mysti-
fed.
''But that was four years ago, my
son. Look at yourself and see how
you have grown"
The boy looked curiously at himself
large and well formed even at eleven
years-smiled, but not knowing what
to say, SAID nothing. Then the doctor
undertook TO give the lad such a state
ment of events in his history for the
past four years as he supposed might
be misunderstanding especially on
the kind treatment he had received at
the hands of his foster parents.
In few days Joe was up and about
in his usual vigor, but in a mental con-
dition wholly changed. He soon learned
to love his kind friends, and to call
them father and mother. But so far,
nothing he could tell as TO past MEM
cries threw any light upon his true
parentage, or their place of residence.
He remembered his mother by no other
name; he heard his papa called JEFF"
sometimes; had a grandpapa, but knew
him by no other name, and an uncle
"Sam," and few negroes with but a
single name each. His home had been