The evening times., 1899-06-06
TWO MOTHERS FOR ONE GIRL.

Mrs. McNahb Claims = Child Sup
posed to he Dead.
Philadelphia. June 6.-Clara Stringer, 9
girl Of Is. is claimed by two mothers. and
her custody is likely to result in consid-
cradle litigation. For years Clara has sup
posed that she was the daughter of Mr.. and
Mrs Matthew Stringer. of 1853 Weymouth
street. Now Mrs. Mary McNabb, Of 4s14
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, a 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 a year old. After strus-
Cling along for a time she found her bur
dens too great and placed the children IN
St vincent's Home. at Eighteenth ara
Wood streets, agreeing to pay q weekly
stipend for their support. As time went on
fortune once more smiled on the WIDOW,
and she again married. Having once more
acquired home she concluded to take her
children from the institution and care for
them herself She was shocked upon going
to reclaim her little ones by being told that
baby 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 rev
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 had been
L,, N, N SfrtnQpT
wears ago, only a week or two prior 70
MaeSie's discharge from the home After
a dilligent search the foster parents were
found.
The Stringer family have reared the girl
carefully. evidently bestowing upon her all
the advantages and comforts that their
humble home Afforded She has grown 10
be a 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 Wednesday she again started
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 il she
wouldn't accompany her home. The daugh-
ter answered that she would have to ask
Mrs. Strnger's consent first, and she re-
turned to her home. The foster parents
then appeared and a scene followed which
resulted in the matter being brought be-
fore Magistrate Lukens. who returned the
girl to the Stringer family and referred
Mrs. McNabb to the courts Suit for the
possession OF the girl has been begun and
testimony will be taken in the course OF
week.
Mrs. McNabb has been accompanied on
her visits to see the girl by other mem
bers of the family. all of whom declare
that she is Mrs. McNabb's daughter.