Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-10-06
THAT WOMAN
Who Married H"r Intended Father.
insLaw.


in.Law.
San Francisco Mall sepiember25
Two years ago a young man
named James Halstead came from
one of the New England States to
this city. He brought a few hun
dred dollars with him, and for some
weeks after his arrival went from
Office 10 office in search of employ
ment. The only friend he made
here to whom he told any of his
history was an old negro laundress,
who was acquainted with some of
his people in the East. Halstead
disappeared suddenly, leaving with
this woman a small trunk and a
package of papers. Last week II
lady called on this old laundress,
who lives on Broadway near the
corner Of Powell street, and said
she was Halstead's sister, and had
been directed by him to call for the
trunk and papers. Mrs. Williams
handed over the trunk and the
package, believing the lady's repre-
sentations to be true. Yesterday
Halstead walked into the house,
and greeting her in a friendly man.
ner, stated that he had Just re-
turned from the Sandwich Islands,
where he had been fortunate enough
to make a considerable pile OF
money. Mrs. Williams told him
that his sister had come to see her
and that she had turned over the
trunk and papers to ber. He APP
peared TO be very much disturbed
at this, telling Mrs. Williams that
this woman, instead Of being his
sister, was his step-mOther, and was
the cause Of his leaving the East.
He then told her the following sim
gular story, which she communica-
ted to the Mail reporter.
His fatherwasa a wealtbymerchan
Of Lowell, Massachusetts,, and when
James left school he was given the
position Of head book-keeper in his
Office. His mother had died when
he was very Young, and a distant
relative Of his took the place as
house-keeper in his fathers estab-
lishment. She was young and at
tractiye, and between James Hal
stead and herself an attachment
sprung up. The old gentleman
did not seem to regard this favor
ably, and finally sent his son to
another part Of the State, to act
there as agent of the firm. James
corresponded with his sweetheart,
and once or twice visited her secret
ly in Lowell. And now came a
great surprise.
James lIals'ead received a letter
from his father enclosing him sew
eral hundred dollars and making a
terIiuble charge. that he had been
utt' ring forged checks, and signing
his fathers name. The young man
went Indignantly to inquire into
this most unexpected accusation
aud was confounded to find his
handwriting so closely initiated that
he resolved to leave and wait for
time to clear this mystery up. Since
then he learned that his iiance was
the guilty party. After he came to
California he received a newspaper
containing an account ofhis fathers
marriage to this false and dishonest
woman. All her letters he retained,
scores of which were of a nature
to fasten the suspicion OF the pro.
geny upon her, letters in which she
lmplored him to rcturn to her. stat.
ing that she had money enough fol
both, and that she was wiling to
accompany him to any part of the
globe. These letters she had trav.
eled to California to obtain posses.
sion Of. Halstead has taken the
advice of a prominent lawyer oI
this city on the matter, and iSgoing
home to endeavor to yindicate his
reputation, and expose the woman
who has ruined him.
BOld Leap over Niagara.
! pnehnstnr Evn....l