Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-26
A DYING GIRLS FORTUNE.

A DYING GIRLS FORTUNE.
| The Daughter of a Cuban EmigraD
the Heiress t. n Handsome Estate
Philadelphia Press.
We hereby apraise Maria Teress
and Gertrudls Palacios, daughters o.
the late Juan Frapcisc Palacios, sc
that they present themselves at this
Spanish consulate, No. PSF South
Fourth street, within nine days, ac-
companied with their tutors or legal
representatives., in order to notify
them of mandate of the civil cour;
of Santiago de Cuba, in consequence
of a lawsuit against the estate of PedrG
Maria Palacios, deceased. In the un
derstanding that if they should not
appear during the time mentioned
they will suffer the losses that may
result thereby.
Inquiry at the Spanish consulate in
reference to the above advertisement
resulted in being told tina: the consul
had made an exhaustive search for
the girls mentioned, but without re-
suit. The Daily News then started
on a search and found them, and
about them a story interesting,
pathetic. and almost tragic.
Juan Francisco Palacios, the father
Of Gertrude and Maria Teresa, was the
son of wealthy parents In Santiago de
Cuba. Eghteen years ago he left
Cuba after some family quarrel, and
in Camden learned the trade of ma
chinest, marrying shortly after his
majority Mary Penniwells, a hand
some girl, and the young couple at
once went to housekeeping in a pretty
little frame house on Walnut street,
Camden. Two years after Teresa was
born, and after an interval of five
Gertrude was added to their family.
During all these nine long years
Juan Palacios never received a letter
from his parents, but he had good
health and plenty of work. Gertrude
was always remarkably bright and
full of fun and life, and was rather
mischievious. Teresa was of quieter
disposition and not SO much disposed
to have her own way, but she attract
ed many friends, and as she grew
older was only less admired than her
HduuSOHcF younger SlSLcF.
At last Juan's health began to give
way. He was not able to work as
steadily as formerly, and then times
became hard in the little frame house
on Walnut street. Winter came, and
with the cold weather Juan found his
ability to withstand the attacks of
the disease to be gradually growing
less, and after several months of suf-
fering he determined to 60 to Santa
go and appeal to his father for help.
The appeal was successful, and
Juan came back to his wife and
children with $1,000 in geld. A
month after his return he died and
his wife was left with two children to
struggle for bread. For one year
Mary Palacios worked untiringly
with her needle to feed and clothe her
children, and then she gave up the
bitter struggle and was buried beside
her husband.
After her death the two girls had
no one to care for them, and for some
time they existedin a precarious man
Her by doing light housework in
various places in Philadelphia Then
they returned to Camden, where Ger
trude was adopted by Mr.. and Mrs
Lippincott, of Market street, above
Third, Camden, while Teresa struggl-
ed along at service in various families
until she could work no longer.
Teresa Palacios, for whom comfort
and plenty now wait, was found in
the little, scantily furnished house of
a poor fisherman in Mechanic street
South Camden-sick, hopeless, and
pining away-her face wan and thin,
her eyes uRnaturally bright. her thin
dress. The young girl, who is now IA
years old, was two days ago turned out
of the home of hard hearted wretch
of woman, for whom she was try
ing to work, but who found her too
weak to do it; turned her out without
home or shelter, into the cold and
driving rain to wander, drenchea to
the skin, until these poor 6sher-folks
took her in and gave her food and p
roof over her head. She knew moth
ing of the consul's advertisement, and
received the news with apathy. The
girl is completely broken down. The
SOOu Wuuldu WIZ tOuh HcT III sdIu .
''She has been crying all the after
aoon. The poor girl is very weak"
The dark shadows Of poor Teresa' S
unhappy life was made deeper by
the contrast bet Neen her wretched
surroundings and shattered health
and the joyous, comfortable life of
her sister Gertrude, who was seated
at the piano in the home of the Lip
pincott's, taking her music lesson.
Gertrude, who is not quite ten years
old, is beautiful dark eyed glrl, with
the Developments of girl of IA. She
was elegantly dressed and full of life
and spirit. Besides music, she is be-
ing taught drawing and painting and
goes to school. pretty little lady.
MIR. and Mrs. Lippincott knew moth
ing of the advertisement until inform
ed by The News gatherer. Mr.. Lip
pincott had been told that Juan Pal
acios, before his death, spoke of some
property which would some day be
his in Santiago, and two years ago
he made some efforts to find out what
there was there that belonged to Ger
trude and Teresa, but after long de-
lay the inquiries resulted uusatisfac-
torly.
If the girls obtain the property
which is reported to belong to them,
they will be wealthy as far as money
Is concerned, but the probabilities are
that poor, wan Teresa will never live