Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-07-02
Story of a Founding.
New York Times.

A little 7-year~old girl, ragged,
dirty, and hatless, was brought to the
Ho ward Mission In New Bowery one
cold, rainy night ten years ago, by an
equally forlorn woman who said the
little one was without a home or
friends. Her father had not been seen
or heard of for nearly year, and her
mother had that day been taken to an
asylum for the blind, with the prob
ability of never returning. The little
wait was stripped of her ragged cloth
ing. given a hot bath, and put into
night dress between two other found
lings.
On investigation the following day,
it was found that the little ones name
was Mabel Harlan, and that her only
known relative aside FROM her parents
was maternal grandfather. The
name of this gentleman was Thomas
H. Gilhooly, and he was the proprie>
tor of little shop, as small as it was
dirty, in Cherry street. It was be-
lieved that in his circumstances he
would not be proper person to bring
up little motherless girl, even if his
financial standing was such as to en-
able him to afford the expense. He
said he could not afford to care for
Mabel, and had no one to look after
her. Accordingly she was regularly
adopted by the Howard Mission. She
missed her mother at first and used to
Cry for her nightly, but it was not
deemed expedient that the two should
be brought together, and in a few
months the mother died. Mabel was
| not taken TO the fuMeral, and soon
forgot that sho opnp had q mother
With good care and kind treatment
she learned to enjoy her new home
and It's surroundings and to call the
matron mother. She was an attrac-
tive child, bright AID quick to learn,
and was made the pet eff the mission,
she being younger than her compan-
ions.
Mabel had been at the mission lit
tie over year when 1t was visited by
worthy old farmer and his wife
from Ripley, Chautauqua County, n.
Y. The couple wished to adopt
child to take home with them and to
bring ap as their own, and toe mission
had been recommended to them. Of
ten little candidates who stood up In
arrow before them, Mabel, they thought
was the most desirable. She seemed
to take kindly to the old people, and
consented to go with them to their
home
Nothing was heard of the child
from the time she left the mission un-
til about two weeks ago Then Mr..
Edward Fitzgerald, of No. 25 Rush
street, Brooklyn, cana to the mana
gers of the mission to inquire what had
become Of Mabel. Mr.. Fitzgerald
stated that old Mr.. Gilhooley had re-
Gently died, leaving an estate worth
over $1,000 To his daughters child.
Mr.. Fitzgerald was administrator Of
the estate. Communications was at
once opened with the foster parents,
telling them of Mabel's good fortune,
and lnquiring for particulars. The
old farmer sent back a letter stating
that his charge was a pretty young
woman of II, Of whom any father
might be proud. She had received
good education, and was proficient IN
music, and although her foster par
ents were Catholics, she had joined a
Methodist church.
Mabel's home is a pleasant little
country place, where she has hosts Of
friends, and she has announced that
her fortune will not change her quiet
mode Of living. William Phelps, a
trustee of the Howard Mission, has
been agreed upon by all concerned as
guardian for the heiress, His own
consent. however, has not yet been
obtained.