Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-12

might have built up in this direction were
manifestly toppling over, and ne found him.
| self face to face with inevitable disaster.
At this moment two-thirds of Mrs. AL
laire's fortune had already been exhausted
\ and there now remained in Barker's hands
| but s.. 800. Pressed as he was on all sides
by demands, this 81, 500 was like drop of
water in the Bay of San Diego. But while
| il might be insufficient to enable him to
meet his obligations, yet in case flight
should become necessary there was quite
enough to put him out of the reach Of his
| pursuers. And the time had come to act.
Actions at law were now instituted against
Lew Barker both for swindlng and for
breach of trust, and it was not long before
an order of arrest was issued against him,
but when the officers presented themselves
at his Office at Fleet street they were in
formed that he had not been seen since the
day before. They at once went to Prospect
Cottage in search of their man, but he had
left the house in the middle of the night.
On that day, May II, upon reaching
Prospect Cottage, Andrew Hollister made
the discovery that Molly's fortune had been
entirely wasted She was lett without
penny in the world. Her dishonest guardian
had not even left her enough to provide for
her immediate necessities. Mr.. Hollister
was not long in deciding upon the only
course left open to him. 1t was to transfer
Mrs Allaire to some private establishment
where she would be well cared for, and to
discharge the negro woman, whom he had
always looked upon with suspicion.
The retreat to which Molly was trans
ferred by Mr.. Hollister was the private es-
tablishment of DR.. Bromley, who had already
attended her. Would these changes cause
any alteration in her mental condition. 1t
was hoped so, but all In vain. The same
indifference was noticeable under her
changed surroundings, and yet there was a
slight modification OF her condition which
the keen eye OF the expert did not overlook,
q coming to the surface of a shred OF ma
terual instinct amid this wreck Of reason.
1t was noticed at times that she was en-
gagged in murmuring a lullaby as if she
were occupied in putting to sleep babe
which lay on her bosom. But the name OF
little Walt never crossed her Lips
No tidings of John Allaire came during
the year 1876. And the same thing could
be said of the Barkers. All efforts to IN
earth them had proved fruitless No one
knew whittier they had gone or under what
name they had concealed their identity.
The truth was Lew Barker had good cause
to cry out against fate for not being able to
maintain his position in his Fleet street
office, for only two years after his disap-
pearance the contingency upon which his
grand scheme was based became certainty,
and it may be said that he reached port
only to 60 to the bottom.
Towards the middle of June, 1873, Mr.
Hollister received a letter addressed to
Molly Allaire. This communication in
formed her of the unexpected death of Ed
ward Manson, who had been accidentally |
killed. While out hunting rifle ball,
fired by one of the party, had glanced and |
striking him in the breast had killed him |
Upon opening the will it had |
been found that he had left his entire for |
tune to his niece, Molly Manson, wife of |
Captain Allaire.
Making rough estimate of realty and |
uncleared land, farm land, sheep |
ranches and mill property, the fortune left |
by the testator would figure up about two !
million dollars. Did the news Of Edward !
death and of the large fortune |
left by him come to Lew Barker's ears in |
his hiding place? 1t is impossible to say.
Andrew Hollister, in his capacity as COM
mittee of the person and estate of Mrs. AL /
laire, resolved to sell the Tennessee farms !
and grazing land The board and treatment |
Of Mrs. A1laire at DR.. Bromley's establish |