The Columbus journal., 1909-11-03
SEES SON N DREAM
Boy Had Been Missing for More
Than Ten Years.
Mothers Vision lmpels Her to
Write Naval Authorities In
Washington for lnforma-
tion Regarding Lad.

San francisco, Cal-MrS. Hannah
Friedman, a resident of this city, saw
in her vision her eldest boy, who had
been missing for ten years, in the
uniform Of blue jacket of the United
States navy. So vivid was the impress
sion upon her by the dream that she
Obeyed an inexplicable impulse to
write to the naval authorities at
Washington. The officials not only
substantiated the vision, but were
able to bring the mother and son to-
gether.
The finding of one son led to the
finding of another. Both young men
now are working in this city, striving
10 save sufficient money to pay their
mothers railroad fare from New York.
Mrs. Friedman and her husband
were living happily together ten years
ego. Their two boys, Mervyn, eight
years old, and Jesse, six, were at
lending school. The little family had
little or nothing to worry them.
Then Friedman began to neglect
his wife for other company. He gath
cred together whatever funds he
could, and in company with his at.
finity and the two children, he went
to New York.
At the age of 16 Mervyn was en-
tered In the United States navy by
the father. Jesse. who had some tai
ent as an amateur actor, appeared
successfully in theaters in New York
The mother never gave up hope of
seeing her boys. Had she not moved
she would have heard from them, for
the boys, never forgetting their par
ent, wrote to her at various times,
but the letters were returned. This
led them to think she was dead.
Mrs. Friedman dreamed that her
eldest boy was in the United States
navy. He stood before her as in real
life, grown stalwart. looking every
inch blue jacket. Then she awoke.
The more Mrs. Friedman thought
of the vision the more she felt that It
was true. She wrote to the navy de-
partment at Washington in the hope
Of ascertaining whether q boy named
Mervyn Friedman was in the ranks.
The letter was referred to the bureau
Of navigation. The roll was exam.
ined, with the result that the boy was
found.
The tidings were sent to the mother,
who was overjoyed at her good for.
tune. She sold the few effects she |
had, and with barely enough money to
pay her fare, she hurried on to New
York. She went to the home Of her.
sister, Mrs. E. Schumacher, and at the
first opportunity visited the navy yard. |
With her heart full of expectation
she boarded the Prairie and asked to
see young Friedman. The boy came
on deck. Mother gazed upon son, SOD |
upon mother. There was no recogni |
ton. The mother yearned to take the |
boy Of her dream In her arms, but she |
feared that she might be mistaken.
Her voice trembled as she asked |
II he were Mervyn Friedman and
he came from San Francisco
Then the boy quickly identified him
self. When the mother told of her ]
own life he mingled his tears With
hers.
Young Friedman then told Of his
brother Jesse and of his father Jesse,
through his aid. was soon found. Then
here was q joyful reunion.
Having found his mother. Mervyn
declared he wanted to return to civil
lie that he might be with her. He
lid not want her to work any more.
Jesse also Joined in the idea.
As Mervyn had two more years to
serve In the navy, it was impossible
tor him to get his release unless In
luence was brought to bear on the
at Washington. Mrs.
Friedman enlisted the services Of Sen
ltor Bourne Of Oregon and Congress
nan julius Kahn Of this city. = She
wrote letters to each. telling Of her