Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-11-12
REAL ROMANCE.
A Poor French Girl Finds a Home.
Fortune, and Husband-A Curious
VIII and a queer Case that Beats
the Novels.
New Yrok Tribune.

A veritable romance in real life, the
facts of which are voucheu for by the
attorney of the young lady IN the case,
has been developed by his efforts TO
prepare the way for the admission to
probate of will by which she was
made joint heiress OF valuable estate
upon conditions which are now in
course of fulfillment The principal
characters in the story, which might
be named The Silver King. "The
Lost Heir, ga Tale of Two Cities
or '"The Romance of a Poor Young
Woman" are a wealthy Wall street
operator, hayward youth who ran
away from home and made fortune,
and French young lady, companion
to desolate ont wealthy widow. The
story as related to Tribune reporter
by John S. Griffiths, lawyer, whose
office is in the Garfield building, No.
26 Court street, Brooklyn, is as fol
lows:
In 1871 Joseph w. Walters, New
York broker, living with his wife and
only son in Greene avenue, near st.
James place, Brooklyn, died, leaving
a fortune of 800, 900 to his widow.
She was at that time about 48 years
" 81
was Is. The boy was of rowing dis
position, and wearying of the strict
discipline of his mothers household,
he resolved to leave home and seek
his fortune In the west. Having saved
q little money from the allowance
which Mrs. Walters gave him, he
packed his trunk one day, informed
his mother Of his intention, and took
IlOzo L.
he would soon see the error of his
ways, and was prepared to kill the
fatted calf as soon as the prodigal
should return. Time passed on and
no tidings of the truant were received.
After a while a lonely widow inserted
an advertisement in New York news
paper calling for young lady COM
panion.
Among those who applied for the
position was Miss Marie deLacy,
young French girl, who had been
brought up in Paris, and found her
self without friends in this country.
She was of progressing appearance
and manner, was an accomplished
reader and conversationaliSt, and was
a fine pianist. She was engaged, and
was soon the trusted friend of the
mansion in Greene avenue. They
continued to live in this home for
several years, and then, nothing hav~
ing been heard from young Walters
who was mOurned as one dead, they
went to Europe and spent two years in
travel, going as far as Palestine. Mrs.
Walters became strongly attached to
the young woman, and treated her as
a daughter. They returned to this
country, when they continued their
travels. At length in 1882 Mrs Wal
ters died In this city, where they were
temporarily living, and left curious
will.
''The will is at my Office, " said Law
yer Griffith few days ago to the re-
porter, who called upon him at his
home, No. 333 Madison street, Brook
Ign, ''but It's exact terms are nearly
as follows:
l give devise and bequeath all my
property, both real and personal, OF
every kind and nature, wheresoever
the same may be situated, in trust,
upon the following conditions: First,
1t is nay Will and Intention that my
friend Marie de Lacy, after my de-
cease shall faithfully search for and
lind, If possible, my son Lester D.
Walters, and if the said Lester D.
Walters, is unmarried, it is my wish
that he and my friend Mary de Lacy
join in the bonds of holy wedl0ck. If
either my son or my friend, Marie de
Lacy, shall not consent to said mar
rlage, then the share hereinafter men
toned shall revert to the one who
refuses to abide by my wish. Second
Ii my said son, Lester D. Walters, res
fuses to abide by my wish, give and
devise and bequeath to him one quart
er of my estate, both real and person
al, and the remaining three quarters
l give, devise and bequeath to my
friend, Marie de Lacy; and if said
marriage takes place, give devise
and bequeath all my property. both
real and personal to my beloved son,
Lester D. Walters, and my beloved
friend Marie de Lacy, to be divided
between them equally, share and
share alike. The expenses growing
out of the search for my son are to be
paid from my estate.
Mr.. Griffiths SAID that two years
ago he was introduced by a we'll
known Wall street operator and own
er of silver mines in Mexico, who did
not wish his name to be published. to
Miss deLacy, who was living with
friends in West Fifty>seventh street.
IN this city; that having feared the
facts of the case. and having also
learned from q schoolmate of Mr..
Walters that he was said to be in
Mexico, he advertised for him in
Mexican newspaper. The advertise
ment was answered by Mr.. Walters,
who came to this city recently. By
preconcerted arrangement the lawyer
took Mr.. Walters to the Bijou Theater
one hight about six weeks ago, where
Miss deLacy and Mr.. Griffith's friend
occupied box. The young lady was
pointed out to Mr.. Walters, who fell
in love with her at first sight. They
were introduced after the play, and