Authors: Al Lacy
After a few hymns were sung, Pastor Dan Wheeler stepped to the pulpit and made his regular announcements. Before taking the offering, he had Johnny stand up and introduced him to the congregation. He told Johnny’s story in brief, then explained that Sheriff Clay Bostin had led him to the Lord after rescuing him, adding that the Bostins were going to adopt him.
There were amens among the crowd, who had prayed earnestly for the boy while the sheriff was riding to the rescue.
There was another hymn sung, then the choir did a special number. The pastor preached the sermon, and when the invitation was given, Johnny walked the aisle and presented himself for baptism. Pastor Wheeler asked him to give his testimony of salvation to the congregation, which he gladly did. He was baptized immediately.
At the Bostin house that afternoon, Johnny had opportunity to get to know the Wheeler children better. He liked the boys very much, and they felt the same about him. Though Priscilla talked less than her brothers, Johnny felt her warmth toward him. He noted that every time he looked at her, she graced him with a smile. He already felt that she was a special pal. He glanced at her often, just to get another smile.
That night when Johnny and the Bostins arrived home after the evening service, they sat down at the kitchen table for a light snack. While they were eating, Clay said, “Hey, son, I noticed something today.”
“What’s that, Dad?”
“You seem to have eyes for Priscilla. Not only were you looking at her quite often at dinner, but in the service tonight, you kept glancing across the aisle. I don’t think you were looking at her brothers.”
Johnny’s face tinted. “Well, ah … she is a real nice girl. And I have to say that I don’t think I’ve ever seen one so pretty.”
Mary smiled. “I think she has eyes for you too, Johnny.”
Johnny’s face turned a deeper shade of red than before.
In San Bernardino, California, when the choosing had been done by the prospective foster parents, there were two girls and three boys remaining. All five were showing their dejection when Royce Nelson came running from the terminal building with a smile on his face.
The children and the sponsors saw him coming and waited to hear his news.
Drawing up Royce said, “Praise the Lord! The terminal manager just showed me a telegram from Mr. Brace. Johnny Smith has been rescued! It was Sheriff Clay Bostin who rescued him.
And guess what! The sheriff and his wife have taken him into their home and are going to adopt him!”
The three remaining boys were Teddy Hansen, Jerry Varnell, and Clint Albright. Though the boys were feeling dejected because they had not yet been chosen, they rejoiced to learn that their friend had been rescued and was going to be adopted. As the orphans boarded their respective coaches, the girls also showed their relief that Johnny was all right, but their sponsors could easily read the disappointment they were feeling about their own state.
The train pulled out, heading for its last stop—Los Angeles. In the girls’ coach, Lorinda Radcliff, Shelley Nelson, and Mandy Hillen did their best to encourage the girls. They pointed out that Los Angeles was a large city, and that there were always a good number of couples at the railroad station seeking orphans to take home. Certainly they would be chosen this time. The girls were encouraged, and their countenances brightened.
In the boys’ coach, though they were glad for the good news about Johnny Smith, Teddy, Jerry, and Clint were battling their own dejection.
Dale Radcliff and Royce Nelson were trying hard to encourage them, using the same reasoning the women were using with the girls.
Dale put a big grin on his face. “And, fellas, you ought to be glad that all three of you are still together! At least this way, when you’re chosen in Los Angeles, you’ll be near to each other and can see each other periodically in the years to come.”
Dale’s words served to perk up Teddy. Eyes suddenly sparkling, he said, “That’s for certain sure, Mr. Radcliff!”
Teddy, like the other two boys, had lived the entire trip in fear that they would be separated. Now it seemed that even if they weren’t all chosen by the same family, they would at least live in the same vicinity.
Suddenly an uninvited thought invaded Teddy’s mind. His eyes lost their luster and a deep frown creased his brow.
“What is it, Teddy?” Dale said.
The boy cleared his throat. “I just thought of something.”
“What?”
Clint, Jerry, and Royce looked on.
“Well, what if one or two of us aren’t chosen in Los Angeles? We would be sent back to New York and probably never see each other again.” His lower lip quivered as he tried to stop embarrassing himself by crying.
Dale laid a hand on his shoulder. “Teddy, keep this one thing in mind. God is in control of each of our lives, and he already has a plan for all three of you. Don’t fret so. God knows what you and Clint and Jerry need, better than you do.”
Teddy wiped his sleeve over his eyes and his ever-ready smile replaced the frown. “That’s for certain sure! He will take care of us, won’t He?”
When the train pulled into the Los Angeles depot, the two girls and the three boys formed their short line and the prospective foster parents began their inspection. Indeed, there was a long line of them.
The first couple to approach the orphans smiled at the boys, and the woman said, “Sorry, boys, we’re looking for a girl.”
They chose the first girl they came to and took her to Lorinda Radcliff so they could get the paperwork done.
The next couple paused in front of the boys, and the man started asking Clint questions. At the same time, his wife moved to the remaining girl and began talking to her.
After a few minutes, the man called to his wife: “Dear, I like this boy. His name is Clint Albright. Let’s take him.”
Teddy and Jerry exchanged fearful glances.
The woman shook her head. “No, dear. I want this girl.”
They argued for a moment; then the man shrugged. “All right, we’ll take the girl.” He looked at Clint. “Sorry.”
Clint managed a thin smile.
When the man walked away, Teddy let out a big sigh of relief. “Boy, Clint, I sure thought that man was gonna take you. I’m glad he didn’t. I mean, unless you really wanted to go with him.”
“Naw. I don’t want to go anywhere unless both the husband and wife want me. It just wouldn’t work. I already lived in a family like that with my real parents. It was my father who didn’t want me. I don’t want that situation again.”
The boys stood close together, trying to look like they were not upset that they were the only ones left. But the hurt caused by the number of rejections was hard to bear.
Two more couples passed by, gave the three boys a glance, and left the depot.
Another couple drew up, but were already agreeing that they wanted a younger child.
The next couple was smiling at each other as they approached the boys. They looked to be in their late forties.
Teddy elbowed both his friends in the ribs. “Maybe these are the ones. They look nice and friendly.”
“Yeah.” Clint’s voice was filled with doubt.
The smiles were then turned on the boys as the man said, “Hello, young men. My name is Marvin Dalby, and this is my wife, Doris. We would like to ask each of you some questions about yourselves.”
All three had to give their life stories in brief, then Marvin Dalby looked at his wife, who smiled and said, “Yes!”
The boys looked at each other quizzically.
“Boys,” said Dalby, “my wife and I own four large fruit
orchards east of Los Angeles. We came to the depot today, first of all to find three boys about your age whom we could adopt as sons, and secondly, by that adoption, to gain additional workers for our orchards.”
Doris warmed all three with a smile. “As far as I’m concerned, you boys are an answer to prayer.”
Teddy, Clint, and Jerry stood in mute astonishment.
“I assure you,” said Marvin, “you will not be slave labor, as Doris and I know sometimes happens to orphan train children. But we will need your help, as any boys would help their natural parents. What do you say?”
The boys exchanged glances, eyes wide with wonder, and Clint said, “We would love to be your adopted sons, Mr. and Mrs. Dalby! We’ve been hoping all along that we’d be chosen by the same family. We’re best friends, and this is what we’ve prayed for!”
Doris clapped her hands. “Oh, thank You, Lord!”
She quickly hugged each boy, saying how happy she was, and Marvin followed suit.
Jerry looked at both of them. “We’ll be happy to do our share of the work.”
Marvin said, “Now, boys, I want you to understand that your work will be done as it fits in with school. We want you to get your education.”
The boys thanked him and said they would work hard in school and in the orchards.
Royce Nelson was called over. The Dalbys explained to him that they would sign the papers to become foster parents to the boys, but that they would seek adoption immediately. Royce was happy to hear it and told the boys how glad he was that the Lord made it possible for them to be taken into the same home.
Good-byes were said to all four sponsors and the nurse, and
the Dalbys ushered the boys out of the terminal toward the parking lot.
As they moved that direction, an ecstatic Teddy unleashed his exuberance. “It’s happened, Clint! It’s happened, Jerry! We’re really gonna live together! Can you believe it?”
Clint laughed. “Yes, I believe it! The Lord did it for us, just like Mr. Radcliff said!”
“Yes!” said Jerry, wonder making his voice quiver. “It’s like a dream come true! Only the Lord could do this!”
A broad smile captured Teddy’s face from ear to ear. “It’s a certain sure miracle, that’s what it is! Thank You, God! Thank You!”
The Dalbys were thrilled to hear all three boys so maturely giving praise to the Lord.
On the ride toward the Dalby home in the buggy, the boys were full of questions, and the Dalbys took their time answering each one. As the miles slipped by, the boys felt more and more at home. Marvin and Doris smiled at each other as they listened to the boys talk among themselves.
Doris looked toward heaven.
Thank You, Lord. Like always in our lives, You have given above and beyond our greatest expectations!
At Wild Horse, Colorado, Ken and Molly Talbert left the judge’s office that afternoon with Donna walking between them.
Donna’s face was beaming. “Oh, this is so wonderful! I am now Donna Rae Talbert!”
She put an arm around each of her new adoptive parents. “Thank you for choosing me at the depot that day. Thank you for leading me to the Lord, and thank you now for adopting me!”
Molly hugged her in return. “Sweetie, we love you as if you were our natural daughter.”
“That’s for sure!” said Ken.
From the judge’s office, the Talberts went to the general store. While Ken was picking up some items from the grocery shelves, Molly took Donna to the spot where several bolts of dress material were on display.
“Okay, Miss Donna Rae Talbert, pick out the material you like for new dresses.”
Donna’s eyes widened. “But, Mama, you’ve already made me three new dresses!”
Molly hugged her. “Well, you’re about to get three more.”
Half an hour later, Ken loaded the groceries into the back of the buckboard, helped the ladies up onto the seat, then climbed up beside Donna, who sat in the middle. A broad smile creased his tanned face as he said, “Well, ladies, now that our shopping is done, let’s go celebrate the adoption. We’ll have supper at the hotel restaurant. Donna, they have the biggest pieces of chocolate cake you’ve ever seen.”
Donna giggled. “That sounds good to me, Papa. I’m so excited, though. I don’t know if I can do a big piece of cake justice, but I’ll sure try.”
Ken drove the three blocks to the hotel, helped the ladies down from the seat, and ushered them into the restaurant.
Replete with roast beef and mashed potatoes and all the trimmings, topped off with pieces of chocolate cake, the Talbert family left the restaurant in high spirits.
Once again on the buckboard seat with Donna in the middle, Ken put the team to a trot and headed out of town. The rim of the golden sun was barely visible on the western horizon. For a while, they talked together, reminiscing over the events of the day and moving on to the plans for their future.
Soon they grew quiet, with each one lost in their own reverie as twilight settled over the land.
Molly’s attention was suddenly drawn to Donna when she felt a shiver go through the girl’s body. Thinking the cooler air was getting to her, Molly turned to ask if she was cold and saw the tears cascading down her cheeks.
Molly frowned. “Sweetie, what are you crying about?”
Donna wiped tears. “Deena.”
Molly patted her arm. “Of course. I know you miss her terribly.”
“That I do, Mama. But it’s worse because I know she is very unhappy. I’m sure of it. My heart goes out to her. Here I am, so happy with such wonderful parents. But I just know it isn’t the same for Deena.”
Molly squeezed her arm. “We must continue to pray earnestly for Deena.”
“Yes,” said Ken. “It won’t be too long now, Donna, until we can make the trip to Salina so you can see her.”
Donna wiped away more tears. “I can hardly wait.”
At the Dexter farm in Kansas, Deena Mitchell was trying daily to come up with a way to run away without being caught.
One night Deena dreamed that she and Donna were together in a field of green grass and wildflowers. They were holding hands and skipping delightfully across the field. Deena couldn’t remember when she had been so happy.
Suddenly in the dream, Donna’s hand slipped from Deena’s and she disappeared. Deena cried out for her and the sound of her own voice awakened her.
With the dream so fresh in her mind, Deena sat up. “Donna! Oh, Donna! Come back!”
Suddenly her bedroom door swung open and an angry Ralph Dexter stepped in, clad in his nightshirt, holding a lantern.
“I’m sick of you crying about your sister, girl! You woke me up bellowing for her! Now stop it!”