The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-28
NEEDS ONLY A TITLE.
Ver1table Romance i'm Real Life Developed
in the New York Probate Court.


New York Herald
A veritable romance in real life the facts of
which are vouched 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 made joint
helress or valuable estate upon conditions
which are now in course of fulfillment The
principal characters in the story which might
be named 1.-The Silver King" 1.-The Lost Heir"
"a Tale of Two Cities, or '"The Romance of
Poor Young Woman, are wealthy Wallstreet
operator hayward youth who away from
home and made fortune, and a French young
lady. companion to desolate but
wealthy widow The story as re-
John s. Griffith, a lawyer, whose office is in the
Garfield Building, 26 Court street. Brooklyn, is
follows: 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 fortune of $780, 900 to his widow.
She was at that time about forty eight years old,
and her son, Lester d. Walters, was sixteen.
The boy was of rowing disposition, and weary
ing OF the strict discipline of his mothers house
hold, he resolved to leave home and seek his fort
une IN the West Having saved a little money
from the allowance which Mrs Walters gave
him, he packed his trunk one day, informed his
mother OF his intention, and took sudden de-
parture His mother thought he would soon re-
turn and was prepared to kill the fatted calf as
soon as the prodiga should return Time passed
on and no tidings of him were received. After
while the lonely widow inserted an adver-
tisement in a New York newspaper, call
ing for young lady companion. Among
those who applied for the position
was Miss Marie D. Lacy, young French girl
who had been brought up in Paris and found
herself without friends In this country. She
OF prepossessing appearance, was an accom-
plished reader and conversationalist and was a
good pianist. She was engaged, and was
the trusted friend of the lonely occupant of the
brown stone mansion on Greene avenue. They
continued to live in this home for several years.
and then nothing having been heard from young
Walters who was mourned one dead. they went
to Europe and spent two years In travel going
as far as Palestine. Mrs Walters became strong
ly attached to the young woman and treated her
as her daughter. They returned to this country,
where they continued their travels At length,
in 1882, Mrs. Walters died in this city, where
they were temporarily living and left curious
Will. The will is at my Office" said Lawyer
Griffith yesterday, TO the correspondent but its
exact terms are nearly as follows 1 give and be-
queath 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, it is my will and intention
that my friend, Marie DeLacy, after my de-
cease, shall faithfully search for and find, 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 Marie DeLacy, be
married. Ii either my son or my friend, Marie
DeLacy. shall not consent to this marriage, then
the snare hereinafter mentioned shall revert to
the one who DSwil}ing to abide by my wish.
Second, if my said son, Lester d. Walters, re-
fuses to abide by my wish. give and devise and
bequeath to him one-quarter of my estate, both
real and personal, and the remaining three
quarters l give, devise and bequeath to my
friend, Marie DeLacy, and if said marriage takes
place, give, devise and bequeath all my prop
erty, both real and personal, to my beloved son,
Lester ID. Walters, and my beloved friend, Marie
DeLacy, to be divided Letween them equally,
share and share alike The expenses grow
ing out of the search for my son are
to be paid out of my estate" MIR. Grif-
fifth said that two years ago he introduced
by we'll known Wal-street operator and owner
of silver mines in Mexico. who did not wish his
name to be published, to Miss DeLacy, who was
living with friends in this city; that having
learned the facts of the case, and having learned
from schoolmate of Walters that he was said
to be Ill Mexico. he advertised for him in Mex
lean newspaper. The advertisement was.
answered by Mr.. Walters, who came to this city
recently By preconcerted arrangement, the
lawyer took Mr.. Walters to the Bijou Theater
one night about two weeks ago, where Miss De-
Lacy and Mr.. Griffith's friend occupied a box
The young lady was pointed out to Walters
who fell In love with her at first sight. They
were introduced after the play, and the party went
to Delmonicos. Mr. Walters who did not know
who she was, and knew nothing of the terms of
the WILL visited her afterward, and they became
engaged. Then the lawyer explained the little
plot to Mr.. Walters by which they had been
brought together, and told him about the will
Mr.. Walters was pleased, and the wedding will
take place next Friday.