The times., 1899-06-07
TWO MOTHERS FOR ONE GIRL.
Mrs. McNabb Claims Child Sup
posed to BE Dead.

Philadelphia, June 6.-Clara Stringer,
girl of Is. is claimed by two mothers, and
her custody is likely to result in consid-
erable litigation. For years Clara has sup
posed that she was the daughter of Mr.. and
Mrs. Matthew Stringer of 1863 Weymouth
street. Now Mrs. Mary McNabb, OF 4Sl4
Greenway avenue. West Philadelphia, de-
clares that the girl is her own daughter.
whom she had mourned as dead for twelve
years.
According to the story told by Mrs. Nc
Nabb, her first husband. man named
Brown, died about fourteen years ago'
leaving her with two little girls, one about
4 years old, named Maggie, and the other
Clara, then but year old. After strug-
Cling along for a time she found her bur-
dens too great and placed the children IN
St vincents Home. at Eighteenth ana
Wood streets, agreeing to pay weekly
stipend for their support AS time went Oh
fortune once more smiled on the WIDOW
and she again married. Having once more
acquired a home she concluded TO take her
children from the institution and care Tor
them herself. She was shocked upon going
to reclaim her little ones by being told that
a.hsbv Clara" was dead and buried. at least
that is what Mrs McNabb says
For over a decade she mourned the loss
of her child. In the meantime the sister
Maggie grew TO womanhood, ana a ieM
weeks ago became a bride: During all
these years the mother could never ercon-
cile herself to the belief that her daughter
was dead. About a month ago, Mrs. NC
Nabb says, she learned that Clara mad peen
adopted by a woman named Stringer twelve
Years ago. only a week or two prior to
Naggie's discharge from the home. After
a diIIigent search the foster parents were
found.
/ The Stringer family have reared the girl
| carefully. evidently bestowing upon her ali
/ the advantages and comforts that their
humble home Afforded She has grown TO
/ be handsome girl of fifteen summers and
| Is the idol Of her foster parents and all her
;. friends.
! Mrs. McNabb called at the Stringer house
several weeks ago to see Clara, but was
unsuccessful She told Mrs. Stringer her
! mission and an agreement was reached for
her TO see the girl, but not to reveal her
identity. Several meetings followed, and
the news was gradually revealed to Clara
| Mrs. McNabb several times asked for the
custody of the girl, but her request was
refused. On NeuHesudy sue asd4i 1NHi ~
for the Stringer home resolved to obtain
the child if possible by fair means. Reach
ing the neighborhood she saw the girl 60
ing across the street to a store Approach
ing her, Mrs. McNabb asked Clara If she
wouldn't accompany her home. The daugh-
ter answered that she would have to ash
Mrs Stringer's consent first. and she re-
turned to her home. The foster parent.
then appeared and a scene followed which
resulted in the matter being brought be-
fore Magistrate Lnkens, who returned thu
girl to the Stringer family and referred
Mrs McNabb to the courts. Suit for th'
possession of the girl has been begun anC
testimony will be taken in the course OF I
week.
Mrs McNabb has been accompanied oil
her visits to see the girl by other mem
bers of the family. all OF whom declar
that she is Mrs. McNabbs daughter.