A LETTER FROM SPAIN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 25, 27 May 1912, Page 4

A LETTER FROM SPAIN.

RECEIVED BY A TARANAKI RESIDENT. Mr If. Jakes, oi Whangamomcna, has received one of the '"letters front Spain." which are fairly common in New Zealand. It is addressed: "English Colony, New Zealand. Mr Henry Jakes, Whangamomcna, Taranaki. HfiJK 'Jlie text of the letter is as follows: .Madrid, 2 of March, of 1912. Mr Henry Jakes. My dear Sir: Being placed in a very gie.it situation and J cannot myself resolve a great struggle that surround me J take the lioerty to write you the first and perhaps the last time due to my grave health although .1 am know to you when I say you that my death mother was Mrs* Alary Jakes your near kinnsman you will know our relationship. Continuing w:tn your discretion I will explain you ni.\ sorry situation ailthougn I am all raid this letter will not reach. you, but as my situation cannot accept delay I risk the letter of which, can depend the salvation of a great fortune, the future of my only and daughter of LI years old 'and sue is placed in a boarding school.

J. was a faithful servant of the young king of Portugal being empowered of him of very difficult tilings. So 1 had some Mock which 1 put in business for ai make a good position to my daughter. I see to augment my fortune and I thought 1 would be happy but as you must know (for all news papers of the World( the criminal hands of the lieutenant Mr Aparicio Santos who killed at the doctor Mr Miguel JJombarda, which assassination was the base for the republican people come to an agreement with the army to dethrone the Portuguess Monarch. Seeing this events 1 had to lend him a very sacre service the largest of all 1 have done and he delivered me a shut parcel for a young Jady in board in a religious Convent out from Portugal, which parcel J had to deliver her in Hollands and he reward me for this service and as dower for my daughter with one English Bank note of £iooo. It was a duel for me. Before start J took my fortune from the chest of the mint, where I had it in depository the .sum of £89,700. This master Mint was Mr Casimiro Jose Lima (who has killed himself). After 1 took my stock 1 went out from Portugal, going to Paris, and - when I arrive to France it was public the .destbronc of the King of Portugal. These news hurt me very much. Without knowing what to do I remain in Paris incognito awaiting some news. When I know the truth of the proclamation of the republic I went to London, where I placed all my fortune in a sure Bank, but only as 'a deposit as it show the shelter the Bank gave me as warranty of it payable to the bearer which shelter together with the said Bank note, 1 guard then in a secret drawer 1 make 1 myself in one of my trunks impossible to be discovered for anybody who may look in to the trunk. Being then in surety of my stock I went for Spain with' all'my luggage to recover my daughter, and' start, for your 1 free' Country .at; Wur side,'. ;but •When. I arrive, here to Spain I', was arrested by order of the' Portuguess authorities. They exite so much my indignation that doing a very great resistance I wound to a policeman being wounded myself by them with a very grave wound in the breast, thinking all at first I was death. In danger of death, prisoner, and knowing it is impossible communicate with anybody out of prison and for if they do the upset to send me so grave wounded to Portugal. I have formed a plan for save my fortune! saving my daughter of a"great abandonment, my plan is. the following. ' ■■'■■. I am very sorrowful here. I have obtained the simpathy and confidence of the priest of this prison'. '■ He come to visit me every day. having pity of our situation. Thinking we ere poor lie is very interested for us and he protect mejor I can write you for familiar business. Thej'ectitude of this Saint Priest make indispensable that lie ignore allways the existence of my stock. In contrary he will believe I am culpable of the defalcation for which I am accused for the Portuguess authorityes which ordered my prison. He will do all wanted for redeem my luggage. The authorities seized ihe together with the trunk which containt the secret drawer with the shelter that the Bank gave me as warranty of my deposit and the Bank note' of £IOOO. All to-

gather with my daughter the good priest will conduct to your' house without any trouble for you. The assistance that from you T want that in nothing will endanger you if you promise me to be a great protector of my dear daughter and aid the priest in all he want for redeem my luggage and bring it to your bouse with my daughter, 1 will reward you for your good service with one fourth part of all my stock and the interest it may produce where you will placed during my daughter's minority or until] she will get married. You will understand my anxiety for to hear from yon very soon. I beg yon if you accept my proposition to answer me by return of post and your letter must reach hero with two covers, the inside to my name and the outside at the name and address I give you at the end of this letter which has given me my good protector. He will receive and hand me your letter with all security, and for which it is not, necessary that you registered it. .1 place my daughter's future in yours hands and .1 remain yours very friend and kinsman. Eduardo Blanco Jakes. Address (Spain) I'rovineia de Madrid Sr. Don Fernando Kauden en San Martin de Valdeiglesias.