Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1882-03-28
FOURTH EDITION
FROM A CHAMBERMAID TO An
HEIRESS.
The Good Fortune OF . Young Lady
who formerly lived In THE state.

The Good Fortune Of . Young Lady
who formerly lived In THE state.
About two years ago, young girl
named Lottie Maloney, whose parents
reside near Smyrna, in this State, left
the home of her childhood to make an
honest living for herself among strang-
ers. The cause of her uncerimon ius-
ly leaving home was, that her parents
were poor and it was o difficult task for
her father to provide for his family,
which was large. This state of affairs
SO preyed upon her mind that she con-
cluded to relieve them Of the necessity
of providing for her, and accordingly
went away. For some time her par
ents were not aware of their daughters
whereabouts, but having implicit conf
dence in her integrity, they had no
fears.
She soon found employment at differ
ept places, and finally found her way
to Philadelphia, where she procured a
situation as chambermaid In the Cont
mental Hotel. At this place her duties
were artluous and she began to look out
for something that would not be so Ia.
borious.
As the sequel will show, her hopes
were more than realized. On a bright
Sunday afternoon, Miss Malohey took
a walk through Paramount Park,
Philadelphia, and " lille walking leis-
urely along, looking tired and cart
worn, DR.. Joseph NJ. Leon, a promi-
nent physician OF that city, approached
i,ir So1 inplx his
heart was touched and he immediately
made inquiries as to her position. Her
manner and conversation pleased him
10 well that he took her iuto his house
hold as housekeuper, where her conduct
was such a. t. c ,lls- the Doctor to es.
teeln her so very highly that she became
hi constant companion, and he wal
seldom seen abroad without her In
a very short time he legally adopted
her and she has borne his name evel
ri, CO. Not more than a year ago he
took her to Smyrna TO visit her parents
who were taken completely by surprise
when they saw and heard tho facts OF
the case. The circumstances Of the
visit was published in the columns O.
the REPUBLICAN, at the time,
| DR.. Leon has since died and she ha'
fallen heir to the snug sum of $4,000
In speaking of the circumstance of Doc
tor Icons death Philadelphia papel
says:
The chief mourner at the funeral o
the late DR.. Joseph NJ. Leon, which
took place yesterday from his residence
1850 Walnut street, was young woman
who bore no blood relation to him what
ever.
) just before the rabbi began the serv
iciS for the dead-tor although the
wealthy doctor was scarcely known Al
; all as an lsraelite he was born in tina
faith and renewed his allegiance to i
, before he died-a young woman in deel
black, sobbing violently and supported
by a gentleman, entered and took bel
place by the side OF the coffin. At the
grave this young woman, who bore nc
resemblance whatever to any oftf Q dis
tant relatives, knelt by the freshly up
turned earth and mingled her tears
with the Clods that were thrown in re
! morselessly upon the casket.
She was MISS Lottie Leon, that being
the name she assumed when, on No
vember 8, 1880, DR.. Leon, in the pres
ence OF a notary and witnesses, adopted
he- as his daughter and signed all tn,
necessary papers settling upon he's Thu
sum of $780, 900. Although styling he
his daughter and always speaking o
her as 'his little girl" the youn.
woman, whether in oonseq uence of hav
ing a father living or not is not known
preferred to call him uncle and hence
was often spoken OF rs his niece. DR.
Leon belonged to a family which in
herited money and he was very sue
cesstul besides in specuatious in rea
estate, so that according to estimate
made by people familiar with his bust
ness affairs he leaves securities ant
various kinds OF property worth half 1
million of dollars. He was twice mar
ried, but had been forty years widown
when he died. His last wife was Mrs
Diehl, mother of Counselor Thomas j
Diehl. Thus he was Mr.. Diehl's step
father.
The will, made soon after his &C
?. q laintance with her, was read just al
ter the funeral yesterday evening b,
the family solicitor in the presence G
all the relatives. 1t was an elaborat
document, making many requests, an
4 for reasons which are deemed expedi
i ent both the solicitor and the relative
refuse to disclose its contents 1t is Ill
= derstood, however, that noLe of the r.
latives are forgotten, and those VIII
were with him in his last illness a
!, particularly we'll remembered; but
considerable share If the half millio
estate goes to the quiet little housekeeI
er, who during the past two years ha