ROMANCE OF A LEGACY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 25, 23 February 1909, Page 4

ROMANCE OF A LEGACY.

,'ni'E REWARD FOR HIDING KING CHARLES 11. A poor woinau'e net of kindness has lirought her an unexpected reward under a romantic legacy which a King of England granted to a subject over two hundred and Jiflv years ago. The story of'the legacy's origin is famous. Flying from the battle oi Worcester, in 1051, King Charles 11. was hidden from the. pursuing soldier.s amid the foliage of on oak tree by a farmer named Richard Pendcrel.

Tim King's gratitude took the form lot six perpetual legacies, granted, to Richard iVeiulerel audi other members of his family. Two were of .CIOO a year, the others of slightly over £SO. These legacies have come down through many generations. Some time cage, Mrs. Cassin, the wife of a Loudon cabdriver, appeared at the , otliec o'f .Messrs. Pcteh and Co., solicitors, having read of a Pewlcrel legacy last July. Nine years ago, she said, her brother, John Richard Pen'dercl, a fruit porter, died, leaving a little daughter oi four years old ipiite unprovided for. Alltough sire had children of her own. and it was a. struggle to make both ends meet, Mrs. Oassiii adopted the little girl to. save her •from the workhouse.

'Applications to tho Courts and to trustees .followed, and recently the dead manVi daughter was held to be legtil successor to her father's pension, which amkmnts to nearly £1 a, week. ifrs. Cassia's kindness to her little .niece was rewarded by a sum of over £2OO, which had accrued in the hands of trustees. 11l addition, she was created tho guardian of the chili.