The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-08-23
IN OUTC4ST IN HEIhElSS.
THE GOOD FORTUNE OF SERVANT GIRL.

| COIle Twelve years ago, says Une DetfOlC
Free Press, a man named Strickland, a
widower, living in Franklin county, Pa,
died, leaving property amounting to $6, 600.
He had but one child, little girl named
Agnes, then about seven years old. Both of
, Strickland's parents were dead, and the only
relative he had was a brother, named VIII
liam. This brother succeeded i'll getting
himself appointed administrator of the es-
! tate and guardian for the child, and then
, moved his family into the house and took
full possession. From that day he and his
family set about making Agnes's life
wretched one. She was beaten and starved,
half-clothed, kept from school, not allowed
! to associate with children, and it would
seem that the brother was bent on getting
her out of the way so that the property
should legally fall into his hands. Agnes
was hardly old enough to realize the death
| of her father, and when told that she was
beggar, and was kept out of the poor
! house by the charity of her uncle, she did
not know to the contrary. When she was
eight years old she remembers being taken
to city where she saw the lake and great
her uncle, and she has never been back to
Franklin county since. She cannot now
remember all that happened, but thinks
that he deserted her there. She recollects
being sent to some house where there were
lots of people, probably county-house,
and remained there good while. She
finally left there in company with man
named Howard, who took her home, and
up to the time that she was twelve years
old or thereabouts she lived in his family.
They then removed to Akron, Ohio, taking
her along. ....-..-.
Shortly after settling there some jewelry
was missed, and the theft was left to Agnes,
and she was sent to jail for three months.
On being released from Jail, Agnes went to
Cleveland, and for four years was employed
in various families, whose names and num-
bers she had with her. She went from there
to Buffalo, and says that she worked for
nearly year in the family of one of the ed
itors of the Post. She exhibits recommends
tionsfrom three families in that cit. She left
Buffalo to come to Detroit two years ago,
and las worked in two different places
here, her last and present place being in
the family of a Mr.. Kelly, on Eighth street
About two weeks ago, whiie with the fam
lily on a river excursion, Agnes made the
acquaintance of a woman named Mrs. Rog-
ers, who is here visiting friends on Con-
gress street, east, and whose husband is
bookkeeper in a wholesale grocery house
in Pittsburgh. Mrs. Rogers lived for many
years in Franklin county, and something
came up which made her speak of some
where she was born, but knew it was some
where in that State. She had always pre-
served the name of Strickland, and when
she gave it to Mrs. Rogers that lady in
quired if she ever had an uncle William.
Agnes remembered him, but thought him
| dead. Mrs. Rogers was convinced that
she had found the orphan whom Strickland
had reported lost and then dead.
On his return from his trip with the girl
he had given out that she had lost herself
i'll the city (Erie), and he published notices
Offering reward for her. He pretended
that he had detectives hunting her up, and
! that he was much grieved about her disap-
| pearance. After year or two he adver-
tised to pay all claims upon the estate of
agnes Strickland, deceased, and it was
generally understood that the little girl had
Strickland, Mrs. Rogers knew all these
facts, and both she and Agnes were fully
convinced that Agnes was the lost child.
| When the affair was made known to Mr..
| Kelly, he at once employed lawyer to
write to parties in Franklin county, and
they replied that Strickland lived on the
farm yet and that the general idea was that
| Agnes had been dead for years. The value
of the property is nearly $4,000, every
! shilling of which belongs to Agnes. Alet-
ter from an attorney who was written to
says:
'"It will not be difficult task to put the
girl in possession of her rights. There are
several families here who can no doubt
identify her, as all were acquainted with
her parents, and an ambrotype of Agnes
when she was five years old is in the hands
of young lady here, it having been gwen
her long ago by one of Stricklands girls.
| If Agnes wants to institute criminal pro-
ceedings am ready to take the case, but
| l think she will be satisfied with being put
in possession. She had BETTER come down
as soon as possible Miss Strickland pur-
chased ticket ON Saturday, and viii start on
Monday, Mrs. Rogers going part of the
way with her.
A FEW weeks since a well educated young
woman, the daughter of wealthy parents,
suddenly disappeared from her home in an
eastern city. She was finally discovered,