The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-23
RICHES FOUND
 IN OLD ROMANCE
Leaves Fortune To His Sweet
 hearts Grandchild

A few minutes after she had dis mis sedher third grade classes Tn West New York, N. l., public school one afternoon last April, Miss Rosalle Elizabeth Wurthman, 21 years old, was summoned to the principals office to answer a telephone call, says the New York World.
 "Rosalie?" the voice inquired.
 Yes"
 This is mother, Rosalie. have good news for you
 "Im listening" said ROsaie.
 "You're sole beneficiary of fortune of d half million dollars left Incredulous, Rosalie interposed an ex- clamation. Her mother tried to con tinue talking. The school teachers s eyes suddenly lighted on calendar i'll the principals office and she laughed.
 "Oh." she interrupted second time, II had almost forgotten"
 Forgotten what?" her mother asked.
 That it is April Fools day! "
 But I'm serious," her mother per sisted. "Rosalie-you'd better come home immediately.
 "Very we'll"
 It was April Fools day, 1924, that Life, wearied of the commonplace, Dor rowed a theme from the movies and made Miss Wurthman it's bewildered and incredulous heroine-the sole le- gatee to an estate at $545,00O.
 The bequest, Rosalie learned. was from a 94-year-old recluse, who had un- successfully courted her grandmother in Germany more than 60 years ago. He was Louis T. Lehmeyer, who died last November in squalid flat on one of the upper floors of an East t1tty- fifth street tenement house in New York City.
 Lehmeyer was a prosperous mer- chant in thriving village In Saxony when the school teachers grandmother was a girl there. The story of the grandmother describes her as a rosy checked, blond haired and yivacious vixen. A dozen or more eligibles of the day sought her in marriage, Lehmey- CT was not the least ardent of these.
 In spurning Lehmeyer in favor Of another the grandmother unwittingly established the basis for the tragedy ot his life-a tragedy as fabulous and grotesque in its enduring consistency as classic literature can duplicate.
 Chagrined and despairing, Lehmeyer emigrated to the United States after selling his business in Saxony. He set tied in New York and made cautious investments in real estate. He lived alone, melancholy and misanthroplc figure He never married.
 Three years before his death Len, never learned that the daughter and granddaughter of the girl he loved 6O years ago lived in Jersey City.
 He sought them and visited the house twice. On his last visit he met hn the grandmother when he had courted her.
 He observed a striking resemblance between grandmother and granddaugh- ter and spoke briefly of his youth in the Saxony village. The next time Miss Wurthman heard of him was when she was announced as tthe legatee of $545,000. ,,
 "Ill go on teaching just the same, she said.
 She changed her mind, however, with the receipt of the first installments ot her fortune.
 West New York awoke one morning to discover a brilliant red roadster ot foreign manufacture parked at the curb ing front of the school where Miss Wurthman taught.
 The second token of her compromise was the unanswered doorbell at the modest little house. The neighbors' doorbells were rung to learn the req son. .
 They've moved to the Kensington. was the information. The kensington is Jersey City's most fashionable apart ment house.
 A few days before the June school term ended the board of education re- ceived a letter from Miss Wurthman It was read at the next meeting of the board.
 Unforeseen circumstances compel me to resign" the communication read. My resignation is to take effect at the conclusion of the school term"
 What are you going to do with all your money?' she was asked.
 "Oh, lots of things she said smil- ingly. Buy lots of new dresses and d house and study art
 ''Abroad?'
 "Maybe-in Paris-but l cant say any more."
 The other day Rosale and her moth CT closed their apartment at the Ken sington and were reported to be stay ing at a New England seaShore resort. presumed, the picture of her grand
 It was not learned whether ltosalie has already bought the house she has in mind. When she does, it may be monther will not be relegated to the attic.