The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-05-22

lie could acknowledge the boy
Stillman drew q will for Mrs. Leeds
making himself, guardian for Jay +
he event of her death. she said II
ay in a second exclusive interview
nth the United Press.
Jay was not the only child Of he
nion with Stillman. Mrs. Leeds di;
losed. Two other children We're Dor
fter the birth of the chubby stu
ie.' as she calls. Jay. and in whoT
er whole life now centered.
Her letter OF final appeal to Still
nan. dated Oct. %. 1922. read a
ollows:
The Final Appeal
Nine Hundred and Sixty-nine Park
Ave, Oct. q, 1922.
Consider not how I write this
appeal to you. J., but why
Its for the love I bear our
boy, and my desire to DO every
thing that is best for him.
Together with the existence Of
my loneliness, the solitude of my
thoughts and the bitterness Of my
unbelief-theso are what prompt
this last attempt to touch that
which I hope exists in your ma
ture-honor.
Nearly two years ago you
pleaded with me to stand by. you.
I did. Loyalty, and while l would
not raise my voice to the detr1-
ment of the woman-or a child
that was being fought for-I
loved you. and told you:
"'I will stick till they carry you
out in a cold pine box
"I have never gone back on
that. but I know now that It is
not what you want, and with this
realization, I cast aside all pride
all Of the things that are-fOr
those that were-and in this mo-
ment I do not seek your love or
your purse-for myself-but Just
a word. helpful suggestion, for
the welfare CT little Jay.
mo matter who your interests
are centered in today. J., do not
ignore this appeal. for whoever
claims your attention now Will
pass-it is only question Of time
but Jay is your flesh and blood
"a part Of you.
Asks For Consideration
1T is wrong Of you to leave
two helpless humans, without a
word, and I know it is equally
wrong to urge the unwilling 70
return-but surely moments such
as we have known-in suffering
together-count for at least-con-
sideration.
ITO remind you of all this is very
hunniliating, 1 can assure you, but
down In my heart I know have
done everything that is noble by
the man, the woman and the child,
under the circumstances.
''I did what you hoped I would
DO; myself control and silence sur
prised you; the ordeal has brought
out anything that was fine in me. I
am better for having gone through
1t, and while externally defeated in
my loss of you. I have established
within me that will never
die And in closing this door be-
hind me. I feel I shall open up
into better and finer things.
I'm less elaborate terms the help
full suggestions I ask of you deal
mostly with the will. You drew it
up. making yourself guardian Of
Jay.
"If anything Unforeseen happens,
do you still want to take him?
eff you have changed your mind
with regard to this, too. I must
make a new selection Settling this
will greatly add to my peace Of
mind.
"Then this place; it is beyond me
with it's taxes and upkeep, and far
exceeds my purse-since you have
never returned the money I spent
out in travelling during your hour
of trouble.
"An this actuates my placing It
(the apartment at $50 Park Ave,
where Mrs. Leeds now lives) on the
market. The return will keep the
wolf from the door till Jay is old
enough to work for himself.
Il believe that any large prin-
cipal is a hindrance to a man. It
does not give his character a chance
to assert, itself. But I hoped you
would continue Jays monthly
allowance until he was q, which
could have been applied to his
-.- ------
"And then, too, you promised
you would.
There are many things which 1
viii not attempt to enumerate here.
Cannot we go over them all
would only take an
hour.
you often wrote you were proud
Of me, and that I had the com
mendation Of your sisters, but sure
ly not a Christian man would speak
to you, if they knew of your be-
havior. so please don't fail me.
''I am absolutely alone-with my
problems-and your boy"
StillTnan, Mrs. Leeds said, never re
lied to this letter.
Two Children Dead
The two other children born to Mrs
,eeds and Stillman died, she said. On
anne a year after the birth of Jay
! was dead when born. A third, bs.p
sed "Ainsley," was born at Sloan
hospital, New York, Nov. II, 1920. &C
ording to Mrs. Leeds. This son die,
'itkln. four hours.
TS@ ~~-n~ nho~+Ix~ 49, At - IL