The Washington herald., 1907-11-10

lie read OF the Druce'Claim when IN that
city and communicated with the claim
ants attorneys.
A remarkable feature OF this nuptu-
rams case is the connection OF Charles
Dickens with H. The Dickens family
here have issued a disclaimer 90 the ef-
/ feet that IL is in their knowledge that
Charles Dickens never knew the Duke OF
Portland; but the diary which has been
stolen from Miss Robinson contains nu-
merous references TO Dickens. 1t was
Dickens who introduced her 10 Druce. A
lOlg passage in the diary is q voted TO
the tale he is alleged 20 have told Of the
dukes identity with bruce.
A curious coincidence unnOticed here.
/ In Dickens last book The Mystery OF
Edwin brood, Is that it is "A story of a
mar with dual existence. Did bruce
suggest brood?
Dickens had the same Partially for
constructing tunnels which amounted 70
mania with both bruce and the Duke or
Portland. An underground passage be-
tween Dickens house. at Gad's Hill. and
his summer house, some distance away, is
still in existence.
The present Duke OF Portland is said 70
be furious because his friends WIN insist
upon sympathizing with him on the pros
pect Of his losing his title He declares
that the whole bruce claim is an impos-
ture which may end In jail
George II. Druee's Claim.
But for romantic clandestlne match
that took place nearly a century ago.
George Hollamby bruce would never have
come forward as claimant 10 the Portland
millions In 1916 Thomas Charles bruce.
then youth. was captiv9ted by a charm
ing girl-'the toast Of Suffolk whom he
met at Bury St Edmunds. Her name
was Elizabeth Chrickmer and she was
even younger than bruce. On October
IS. 1916, they were married. Who or what
bruce was II is doubtful If even his wife
knew
After several children had been born.
Druce deserted his young wife The beau
tifUl heiress OF a few years before was
left 20 battle with dire poverty Her ED
est son, George bruce. was sent 70 sea
while still IN his teens While his ship
was lying In the Thames in 1875 he was
visited by weIl-dressed man, who said
be was George Druces father That man
was Thomas Charles bruce. proprietor Of
the Baker Street Bazaar. T. G. bruce took
his boy away from the ship and sent him
TO naval academy Meanwhile. Mrs
| bruce received Y shillings a week from
him
This is the first period Of T c Druce's
| life the details or which are known. Il
| is alleged by the claimant that prior 10
this time Druce had no existence; that.
ia fact. bruce was the son OF the fourth
! Duke of Portland. incorporating under
| an assumed name for purposes Of his
Own.
Went to Australia.
Young George bruce had a varied ca
/ reer- Finally. during the gold rush OF the
/ Sos he embarked fer Australia, where
/ he settled down and married. He had
| several sons. OF whom the eldest i
George Hollamby bruce. George was
/ brought Up IN the bush When he was
/ about seventeen years old he wished 10
/ see lie on his own account His father
gave him few shilIings and a dog. His
I mothers parting gifts were a loaf Of
/ bread, some tea aud sugar. and a two
I quart billy can After a DAYS waods~-
ing he found employment with a black
! smith azsl-50 a week and his board. But
/ the life was not cOngenlal. and yea
| later the youth was again IN the bush in
! Gippsland.
/ He lived in a rough hut in the heart Of
/ a wild. lonely forest. Everything that
came to the district had 10 come through
I lonely tracks on pack horses. He met his
/ nearest neighbor only on Sundays. After
ward he worked on the sheep farm. and
once or twice went gold prospecting.
/ Then came the dramatic moment, when
/ be was working with his brother in 1855.
/ The latter burst in on the claimant with
I a newspaper in his hand. George. 7 be
/ lieve you're the Duke Of Portland he
| exclaimed So began the historic claim.