A WORKHOUSE ROMANCE.

Evening Post, Volume XLIII, Issue 61, 12 March 1892, Page 1 (Supplement)

A WORKHOUSE ROMANCE.

A little over five years ago Selina Teadon was a tiny inmate of Wharfedale Union Workhouse, Otley, Yorkshire — now, at the age of 12, she is about to inherit a substantial fortune, bequeathed to her by the late Major Middleton, of Ilkly. • Five or six years ago, while visiting the Otley Workhouse in his capacity as guardian, Major Middleton was particularly taken with little Selina Yoadon, a pretty, bright-eyed, intelligent creature of 7 years. So strong did his attachment for the girl become that her stay in the workhouse soon came to an end. At first Major Middleton entertained the idea of educating her so as to qualify her to become a governess when she grew up. Afterwards, .however, with the consent of her mother, he adopted her as his daughter. From that time to the day of his death the child was the object of his tenderest solicitude and care. After spending §ome months in a convent school — for, like her benefactor, she had been brought up in the Roman Catholic Church — she returned to his home at Ilkley, and has since then received her education at a good school in that town. Major Middleton died on December 12, at the age of 62. By his will he leaves a large sum, amounting to several thousand pounds, to his adopted daughter. The money will be held in trust by the executors, a suitable allowance, of course, being made for the child's maintenance and education until she comes into possession of her fortune. The testator directs that until the girl attains the age of 25 she shall be under the guardianship of Mrs. Curtis, who, with her husband, has kept house for Major Middleton for many years.