New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-03-11
| YOUNG RAWLINGS'S FORTUNE
ONE OF THE HEIRS OF $1s5, 900.
POOR ORPHAN BOY GETS wrNpFALL-DErER.

A POOR ORPHAN BOY GETS wINDFALL-DETER.
MINED NOT TO SPECULATE.
Walter Bownes, the undertaken of Wood
side, L. l., has been entertaining an angel
unawares for some months past in the per,
son Of Thomas James Rawlings an English
boy. whom Bownes and every body else sup.
posed to be penness but who has suddenly developed
into the heir to large fortune. On Sunday Mrs Bownes
WAS quietly reading the Personals" in The Herald
when her eye fell upon notice inviting the children Of
George Rawlings to call upon William Rafch at Chambers
and william sts, they might there learn something
to their advantage. Mrs. Bownes at made the
tonished Thomas, whose fathers name was George,
promise her the handsomest silk dress that could be
bought in New-York and sealskin sacque for her
daughter. Thomas promised oil and took an early oc
casion To call upon Raich What no learned there con-
vnced him and hts friends that he is OF the heirs to
an estate Of 81, 900 pounds sterling.
Mrs. Bownes, her son, and daughter and Thomas were
sitting in back kitchen dmly lighted by two kerosene
lamps, when TRIBUNE reporter called last evening.
On table in the centre of the room was pack
OF soiled cards, and the reporters visit had
evidently Interrupted friendly rubber Nothing about
the room spoke OF the wealth to which Of the party
had suddenly fallen heir Thomas related his story In
straightforward way, and his open countcnance Is Q
proof that he Is not one to be spoiled by fortunes
favors
George Rawlings was a gunsmith at Birmingham.
Abouthis fathers relations Thomas knows little. for
George Rawlingss first marriage had been bitterly op-
posed by all his family and even when the wife died tho
feud did not cease. He was never reconced to his
father but at last his mother forgave him. and left him
on her death little property. In 1870 George Raw
lings determined to come to America. His first
wife dead, and he had married again.
but he still bad terms with his
relations and decided to begin life again In the New
World. He brought with him his wife, his sou Thomas
James and his daughter. He found employment with
the Singer Machine Company and remained there for ten
years. In 1850 he removed to Woodside, where his
daughter married Mr.. Randall living at Ncwtown and
where lie himself died His wife did not long
yive him. Thomas James left orphan when about
sixteen years OF His father had often spoken to
him Of large fortune which day would be theirs.
Just how this fortune to come Thomas had net
known but in general way he understood that uncle
OF his father had left a large estate in Fntshire,
North Wales and that the estate had been many years
Chancery. When the litigation should be over they
would all be rich ON his death bed the father commit
ted to the son bag Of papers saying as lie did so -
4" Take good care OF the papers, Ihomas' for tneyu
In this bag Thomas found his own baptism caro- ms
mothers marriage certificate, his fathers letters OF ap
bis relationship TO the rich great uncle for whose wealth
his father had so long in vain After his parents deatn
empIoyed employs SO at "H"t the Hunters mt ~ Point ferry
during the summer. Tie lived with his sister
and TSomas was LETT without friends or shelter Then e
that an old friend, George Bownes. met him Ihe
and George played the violin, and IN former days they
had played many duets together When nGeorse learned
the distress in which his friend was he offered 70
him hospitality Of his fathers house, and since t5ae
time Thomas has been living OF the Bownes lam
ily and doing what work he could In Mr.. Bowness un-
dertaking shop. - - -.
When Thomas the advertisement In The Herald no
at once got together his papers and called at Mr. RdcRs
address, Mr. Raich examined the papers, said he wa
con that Thomas and his sister were the person
of In search. and then Informed him thae
at last out OF chancery that the tgation
and that the OF $4,000 was waiting 10 %
claimed by those who were OF tile Rawlings family He
concluded by kindly Offering TO give Thomas his asslst
obtaining possession OF his fortune IN con.iert-
ton 5 per OF the profits. Thomas thanked him
heartily declined his kind offer Raich then proposed
allow him TO leave the papers In his safe II Thomas was
afraid OF losing them his way home. This ofirr also
Thomas, with excellent Judgment thankfully declined
Raich IL said TO be claims agent. lie says that he
makes yearly visits TO England for the purpose OF
investigating the proceedings OF the Court Of Chancery
and IL this way that he discovered the fortune 10
which Thomas Is one OF the heirs. Thomas has wisely
decided write to friends In Birmingham and TO an
uncle living In Kentucky before he takes action In
the matter. He feels certain that there be mis-
take about the gehuneness OF the fortune for his father
often predicted that the estate of his uncle would
day Ike thcn all rich. Thomas IS not, however the
only heir There Is brother of his father st living in
Kentucky and sister in England Thomas's
sister, Mrs Randall. will also come in for her share OF
the money When asked what he would do with his for
tune Thomas replied:
well. I guess I'll 90 first TO England and have
another look at the old country But don't want 70
live there I'll come back here TO live and put my
money into good business. one thing I've dctec
mined not to do-rm not going 10 speculate