Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-01-20
ROMANCE OF A POOR 6TEE.L.
How She Gained a Fortune and Lover
at the Same Time.

facts of which are vouched for by the
attorney of theyoung 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 to a valuable estate upon
conditions which are now in course OF
fulfillment. The principal characters
In the story, which might be named
''The Silver King" F'The Lost Herr"
GA Tale of Two Cities,'' or 'The Ro.
nance OF a Poor Young Woman, are a
wealthy Wall Street operator, way
ward youth who ran away from home
and made a fortune, and a French
young lady, companion to a desolate
but wealthy widow. The story as re-
lated yesterday to a Tribune reporter
by John S. Griffith, a lawyer, whose
Office is in the Garfield building, 26
Court Street, Brooklyn, is asfollows:
In 1871, Joseph w. Walters, a New
York broker, living with his wife and
only son in Greene Avenue, near ST.
James place, Brooklyn, died, leaving
q fortune of 100000 to his widow.
She was at that time about 4S years
old, and her son, Lester ID. Walters, was
Is. The boy was of a rowing dispo-
sition, and wearying of the strict dis
cipline Of his mothers household, he
resolved to leave home and seek his
fortune N 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 a sudden de-
parture. His mother thought 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 It'd
ings Of the tr1ant were received. AT
ter while the widow inserted an ad-
vertisement in New York newspaper
for young lady companion. Among
those who applied for the position
was Miss Marie De Lacy, a young
French girl who had been brought up
in Paris, and found herself without
friends in this country. She was of
progressing appearance and man.
ner, was an accomplished reader and
conversationaIst, and was fine
pianist. She was engaged. and was
soon the trusted friend of the lonely
occupant of the brown-stone mansion
in Greene Avenue. They continued to
live in this home for several years,
and then nothing being 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 wom-
an, and treated her as a 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 Law
yer Griffith yesterday to the reporter
who called upon him at his home,
333 Madison Street, Brooklyn, "but
it's exact terms are nearly as follows:
az 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,
it is my will and intention that my
friend, Marie De Lacy, 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 De Lacy,
join in the bonds of holy wedlock. If
either my son or my friend Marie De
Lacy shall not consent to said mar
riage, then the share hereinafter men
toned shall revert to the one who re-
fuses to abide by my wish. 2. If my
said son, Lester D. Walters, refuses 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 ]
give, devise and bequeath to my
friend, Marie De Lacy; and if said
marriage takes place, l give, de-
wise 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 equal
". share and share alike. The ex-
penses q owing out of the search for
my son are to be paid out of my es-
tate
Mr.. Griffith said that two years ago
he was introduced by well-lnown
Wall Street operator and owner OF
several mines in Mexico who did not
wish his nameto be published, to Miss
De Lacy, who was living with friends
in West Fifty -seventh Street, in this
city; that having learned the facts Of
the case, and having also learned from
a schoolmate Of Mr. Walters that he
was said to be in Mexico, he adver
tised for him in Mexican newspaper
The advert isement was answered by
Mr.. Walters, who came to this city
recently. By preconcerted arrange
ment the lawyer took Mr.. Walters "a
the Biiou Theater, one night about six
weeks ago. where Miss De Lacy and
Mr.. Grifith's friend occupied box
The young lady was pointed out to
Mr.. Walters, who fell in love with hel
at first sight. They were introduced
after the play and the party went to