The evening times., 1900-01-29
A CUBAN REFUGEES LUCK.
The Death of an Uncle Macs Doml-
uico Perroni wealthy.

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 29.-Less than a
week ago Dominica Perroni, formerly
Cuban exile, was an inmate OF the house
of correction, wearing the striped garb o.
a vagrant. Today. according TO his own
statement, he is heir TO unexpected wealth,
good, solid cash, and valuable realty.
The story Perroni tells is full of tragic
events. His father and his brother fought
ard died for the freedom of Cuba from
Spanish thraldom-died under the lead
ership OF the galleant Maceo. His mother
and two sisters perished from starvation.
Dominica himself fed from the fate that
threatened all Cubans who we're suspected
OF what was called treason.
January Perroni was found asleep in
the Reading Terminal Station Ar
rested ard given a hearing before Mag
istrate WiIhere. he was sent to the insti-
tuition on the Pennyraek. with a three
months sentence.
1t was my first offence" said the ex-
refugee, and with help from friend
was released In twenty-one days | came
out on Thursday-to find that an uncle
had died in Madrid where | was born,
Il could scarcely realize that such good
fortune had come TO me. I had known
that my uncle was wealthy and had heard
from him a few times after the death OF
my people. but he had never intmated that
he would make me his principal heir. Ac-
cording to the information which | have
received he has left me $l1 800 in money,
a four-story house valued a. $4,000, which
/ am told can be sold for $4,000; other
Of horses, and two carriages.
LAS TO my past life, II has been a sad
one. / left Madrid with my parents when
| was three years old. We went direct
TO Havana, and there my father established
himself In the cigar manufacturing busi-
ness. He prospered until the ten years
war broke out, and then he lost every
thing. But with the peace that followed
but that was not peace-he began life
in the capital city of the island. At the
outbreak of the last revolution he and my
brother entered Maceo's army. / had been
compelled to leave long previous because
II was thought by the Spanish police that
/ belonged to secret organizations that
were at work in the cause of Cuban lib
erty.
My father and my brother were killed
in battle IN Santiago province. Ny moth
er and sister were left penniless, and from
weakness, the result Of lack of food and
sorrow over the fate Of those they loved.
they ded-all within a single year For
three years ! served as one of the cooks to
the officers on board the battleship Texas.
| left here October %, 1898, and came TO
Philadelphia. Since that time have work.
ed when / could get it in hotels or restau-
rants or making cigars, which latter is
my trade. But / have an affection Of the
throat that prevents me from handling the
tobacco because of the dust that must nee
essarily be inhaled.
That is my story. | am no longer a
vagrant-as l was entered on the House
of Correction books. When get the mon
ey left me / will start in some business.
The luck that at last attends me seems
too good 10 be true. But it is true. though
there are people who tell me l had better
wait until l receive the bequest before /
am sure that it is all right.