Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-02-04

courts, was tried IN this town on FRIDAY last, De-
fore the Court Of Commons Pleas. 1t was an
action for breach of promise of the marriage
contract, brought by gentleman ogainsta Ia
dy. The parties belonged to Athol, and the
facts in the case were briefly these: The "ladie
fair" by the name of Morton, was engaged to
young gentleman by the name Smith, who
was not so watchful of his prize, but that she
was in danger of being "carried Off by the
plaintiff, whose name is Peckham Becoming
somewhat intimate. with Miss Morton, the
plaintiff sometimes from her eyes did receive
fair speeches. messages" Their acquaintance
grew into mutually ofinterest, which eventual
ly ripened into an engagement OF marriage
Arrived at this point, the Lady found herself in
an embarrassing situation, under two contracts
Of marriage. She couched her feelings towards
the plaintiff in the language of Nerissa:-" He,
of all the men that ever my foolish eyes looked
upon, was the best deserving iair lady"
"But love is blind and lovers cannot see
The pretty foes that themselves commit"
Smith and Peckham met in the bar-room.
They entered into a discussion of the merits
of their Dulcinea, and of their respective claims
to her personal as well as her real charms.
$50 high at last the contest rose
From words they almost came to blows"
and when they separated it was with promise
pledged in mutual anger, that whoever he might
be who should WOO, win, and wed the defendant,
should answer for it 10 the violated laws of the
country.
The damsers father insisted that she should
adhere to her first love.n He was intlexible.
Dulcinea's pleas were unavailing. The crier
did his duty. The parson did the same. And
Lynde Smith and Fanny Morton were pro-
nounced husband and wife.
Lewis Peckham came to the Temple of JUS
tice, with suit to recover his lost affections, or
their equivalent in money. He asked that as
- Al al
charms of the defendantthe Court, like solomon
Of old, should make division between them,
and give him possession Of her real charms
He suostantated his claim by proof of the exs-
tence of marriage contract between himself
and the female delendant,-her husband Smith,
being the nominal defendant, This engagement,
he proved, was brought about according 10
the forms ofthe common law of Cupid
Two or three Smerks, and two or three leers;
Two or three kisses, and two or three dears;
Two or three nght-sessions, side by side;
Two or three walks or even ride;
And the world stamps them bridegroom and
bride.
The plaintiff rested his case; and Lynde Smith
was called on to defend the honor and integrity
Of his wife. His defence was, that the palntltt,
actuated by sordid and mercrnary motives, bad
fixed his affections on the real charms of Miss
Morton; that having philosophy enough to teach
to vanish with the progress OF time, while her
real ones improve and increase if well husband
ed, he had prudently given his love to the de-
PENDANTS acres oflertile fields and rich pastures,
in preference to one destitute of such sn6stan
tiai attractions. That by assiGuous attention
and persevering effort he had succeeded in eX-
tortng from her something, which he had tortu
red into promise of marriage. But that 1t was
not valid contract because il was fraudulent
ly obtained.
The case was ingeniously argued by the coun
sci on both sides; and the learned Judge, in
charging the jury, discoursed on the law and the
testimony with as much GOODNESS as though the
suit were in reality for the recovery Of lost
farm.
/. The jury sat up together" till the wilching
aour of aight, without being able to decide the
delicate question whether Fanny had or had
not played the coquette. So Justice having re
fused favorable answer to his prayer, Lewis
must urge his suit again. Justice. like Beauty
may at times be little coquettish-but Truth
says the moralist will finally prevail forces
Ter Paper.