Year: 1878

Sad story of the Aubrey Sisters OF


Colorado.


New York Herald, 3Oth.I


Developments OF a siDgularly mysterious
and somewhat romantic character, calling to
mind some of the incidents on which is
based the pathetic drama of 1.-The Two Or
phans," transpired in this city yesterday.
1t is, If true, rather sad story, embracing
the complete orphanage of two young girls,
whe on being left alone and friendiess set
out from their native place In the far west
hoping to find former friend in this city;
their arrival here with slender means, and
the subsequent disappearance of the older
sister.


Last Tuesday forenoon a young woman,
clothed in humble garments and travel
stained, attracted attention in Washington
square py wandering about in an aimless
way. From her general appearance it was
evident that she was a stranger in the city.
After remaining in the square for some
hours, walking from bench to bench in a
half distracted manner, she at length timid-
ly approached police officer, to whom she
told the following story: "My name is Lii
liam b. Aubrey 1 am eighteen years of age.
| came to the city last Saturday with my
sister Minnie from Insing Col We had SIS
on our arrival here. We took lodgings in a
boarding house in Morris street, where
we remained until this morning They
charged us So for the few days we stayed In
the place, and it was too expensive we
left there, intending to look for friend, a
Mrs. Higbee, who lives in Church street, but
we did not have the number of the house.
We walked from Morris street up here, and
my sister soon after left me for the purpose
of finding out where Mrs Higbee lived
PARTED IN THE SQUARE
1t was then o'clock in the afternoon,
and the young woman informed the officer
that her sister left her there at O'Clock in
the morning, and that she had not since
returned. On hearing her statement the
officer pointed out to her the home for
friendless gIrls, and advised her to go there.
She at once did so, and has been kindly
cared for there ever since. No tidings have
been received of her missing sister, although
the police are actively a. work on the case.
Through the courtesy of Miss McCabe, the
matron of the home, Herald reporter lsst
| evening held conversation with Lillian
Aubrey, who is an interesting young person,
having fair hair, dark blue eyes and mild
expression OF features. She apparently
possesses more intelligence than often falls
to the lot of girl brought up amid the rude
| surroundings of newly settled territory.
| Her department is indicative OF ingenious
| ness, while the prompt and lucid manner in
which she modestly replied to such ques-
tions as were asked carried with it the con-
viction that her utterances were most truth
| full


WHY THEY LEFT HOME.
To the question why she and her sister left
their home in Colorado to come to this city,
Lillian replied: 1--WE had no home there;
| our mother has been dead two years and our
father died five weeks ago; my father was q
farmer, and he had been living in IBsing,
Colorado, about twenty years: do not know
what calling my father followed before he
went to farming; he was an EDglishman, and
! on first arriving in this country he lived in
| New York for while; he afterward married
lady on Long Island, and then emIgrated
to Colorado"


| THAT lady was your mother, / presume?'
Yes, sir; and myself and sister were the
only children. am eighteen years old and
she is nineteen"
"1t appears rather strange that you and
your sister should leave Colorado to travel
all the way to this city where you were not
certain of even finding the solitary friend
whom you believed to be living here"
1T was strange, but my sister thought she
| good education, and on that account she
hoped to get situation as governess. She
only attended school for year and half,
but my father, who was very well educated
finished her education. l went to school for
longer time than my sister, but was not
so ready at learning as she was, and my faith
er devoted more time to her than he did to
me, because Minnie wished to become a
teacher; for my part l intended to do fine
| sewing for living


THE FATHERS DIFFICULTIES.
'What became of your fathers farm when
you came on here?'


my father was in debt when he died. the
farm was sold. and after his funeral expenses
and debts had been paid we had only about
$45 left between us. OF this we paid $14 each
for tickets from Insing to New York and
when We arrived here on Saturday a week
ago, at o'clock in the afternoon, we had
but SIS left We took board in Morris street
on our arrival, and they charged us $3.50
from Saturday until Tuesday morning, when
we left to try and find Mrs. Higbee, a friend,
who lived on Church street, we did not have
the number Of her residence"


How did you and your sister reach Wash
ington square?''


1--WE walked up from Morris street and
reached the park about o'clock in the
morning. My sister then left me right away
in order to find Mrs. Higbee, and that is the
last have seen of her. l thought at first
that she would come back to me all right
but now | feel as though / may never see
her again."


won't you describe your sister?'


She is head taller than am, and very
fair; her hair is long and in curls, and she
has white scar across her forehead caused
by her falling on knife many years ago."


Lillian who is about five feet In stature,
seems to bear her bereavement with consid-
cradle fortitude, and allusion to the ap-
parent placidity of her mind ELECTED from
her the remark, 81 never show trouble in
my face, but can feel it all the same"