Richard James, better known among the boys of Barston as Parson James, was a minister of the gospel, but as his profession was not remunerative, he took up a claim on the mountain side that brought him a profitable sum. While working the claim Cummings, a gambler, and his wife, "Frisco Nell," were requested to leave town. Cummings was caught cheating at cards. "Frisco Nell" had a beautiful baby about a year old and fearing that a forced tramp over the mountains would kill the little one, she decided to leave it in the parson's care. When James returned after his day's work, he found the tot cuddled up on the sofa and a note told him that he had become a foster father. The camp were soon notified of the arrival of the parson's baby and each one wanted to contribute to the child's support, but the parson believed that he could take care of the child himself. When she grew older, she was sent to a convent and in a few years returned to the parson, a beautiful woman. Now that she had reached an age of understanding the parson told her of her father and his miserable life and how he had died. Also of her mother, who returned to sec her child, but died in his arms before her wish could be granted. It all seemed like a strange dream to Nellie, as the parson was the only father she had ever known. Soon there came a letter to Parson James from an old friend, asking him to take charge of a new church many miles away. The friend suggested a match between little Nellie and his son, but she wanted no one but her "daddy." She now fully realized that she loved him with a deeper love than the love of a daughter. The parson told her that he could never part with his little girl after all those years of care, so they agreed that nothing would separate them as long as life lasts.