Evening journal., 1900-09-29
MET His FATHER
AFTER MANY YEARS
Romantic Reunion Of Jehn
FaIStead and His Long
Lost Son


was separated n infancy. was yesier-
day restored 10 his father through the
instrumentality Of genial Bob" Har-
vey the landlord Of the Silver Lake
Hotel. at Morton, Pa.
The whole affair Is story Of mod
ern life that has as thrilling episodes
in It as a twentioth century novel, and
the fortunate chance that at last
brought the wandering boy to his
long-lost parent is most as unusual
as make-believa scene in melo-
drama.
A few days ago, James BrOadbent, OF
West Philadelphia. was being shaved
in the barber shop near his home,
when he was attracted by a strange
youth who was attending to him. and
engaged in conversation with hin. He
found that the young man knew little
OF his past and that his principa. aim
In life was to find his parents. 1t was
In the barber shop OF John r. Black
burn. at 4l50 Market street, that this
transpired, and the young man said:
Il have hoped and dreamed that
some day ! should see my mother and
father, that ] might hear their voices
and know them again. 10 has been
my sole ambition ever since / learned
that I had a missing father and
mother, and these thoughts have driv-
en- me on TO strive harder to find them
Sometimes ] am almost discouraged
and think that my task will never be
hnlsned, but the next moment IL passes
away and again am just as eager to
go on with my search until | am satis-
ded that they are dead or alive"
The listener was interested. for the
young man had been so civil and ac-
cOmmodating and had taken such in
terest in his work that he, rs well as
others. had become attached to the
quiet, neat and el.igent .ad who was
evidently still in his teens. The man
in the chair resolved to be OF service
to the youth If he could. and he asked
him the story Of his life.
Gaining the ready permission Of his
employer. who a,sO appreciates the
good qualities OF the young man. the
latter related the following intereslin
story to Mr.. Broadbent
Ny name is John Falstead. and
was born here in Philadelphia. ! am
tod, and l judge my parents must
have been poor. al I was placed while
very young, in the Southern Home for
Friendlass Children then at Twelfth
and FitEwater streets. now az Broad
and Morris streets. Whom was \
years old was given in adoption to
John Vincent, Of Reliance. Del. who
owns farm q about 100 acres. (oivn-
er.y the homestead OF the notorious
Patty Cannon. who was famous in the
annals OF the Diamond State more
than fifty years ago for her unsavory
connection with the slave trade. The
farm is right on the dividing line OF
the states OF Delaware and Maryland.
My adopted father treated me we'll and
sent me to school and gave me all the
chances TO educate myself that were
offered in that section. Az l grew up
l was told of my real parentage. and
have had this desire ever present with
me since.
One day my adopted father, after
hearing me express my wish to learn
what became OF my folks, said to me:
John. / wish | could assist you in
your desire. You are now Is and, as
You know. l could legally compel you
20 remain with me until you became OF
age but l well let you go if you de-
sire
Sir. was one of the happiest boys
alive and after thanking him and his
wife over and over again for their
many kindnesses, / came to this city
THE first place / went was the
Southern Home. and made my inquir-
les. but they could give me no infOr-
nation as TO my parents whereabouts,
as 1t had been so many years ago, and
there had been such changes in the
home incident to the removal But I
was not discouraged. / earned the
barber trade, as I believed it would
bring me in contact with large num-
Der of people, and ! have made it a
practice to change my location to diff
ferent parts OF the city frequently
ever making inquiries and telling my
story, thinking that some day l should
learn something OF my lost parents.
have kept up the search for four years
now. but / have heard nothing and
am lust as far off as eyer"
John Falstead: let me see,' saiC
Mr. Broadbent. why | know man by
that name. who actually worked righ
next door to this shop. And now
remember. he told me that he wa
compelled by sickness and want t.
pace his children in a home in tn
southern section Of the city, and hi
desire to some day have them brough
back to him.
why. / was present at your father
and mothers marriage At the ittl
church up the street here. l alway
liked hir.. and we were always goo
a friends. But, my boy. / am sorry t
q tell you, your mother did not liv
long after you were given to the hom'
and l will take you to her grave /
the Block.ey Baptist Church yard
D.. you desire"
= There was a percepube culver
/. the lips. a moisture of the eye, and u
sound of a half-choked sob, and u
. listener knew that John Falstead ha
y at least heard from one OF his parent
Your father / have not seen
: many years. but ! have not heard
his death and it is possible that '
may locate him." said Mr.. BROADER
Tho voi1uu mans faon firhfpd nm wi