The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-08-13
A Breach of Promise Case.

er deVoteS Two columns 10 tne paftcu-
lars of a breach of promise case which |
was recently tried at Bodmin, England. |
The action was brought by Miss Eliza
Bodily, fair spinster of about 80, a.
gainst one Joseph Thomas, a grocer
one Of those unfortunates
"Whom Phubus in lis ire,
Hath blasted with poetic fire."
In plain English, one of those inde-
fatigable and inveterate scribblcrs OF
doggrel who could not weigh sugar nor
measure molasses without doing it ac>
cording TO poetic rule.
1t seems that Mr.. Thomas first became
acquainted with Miss Bodily at pic
mic, where he handed her over ien>
ces, assisted her to jump bitches, carried
her parasol, tied her shoe-strings, spread
handkerchiefs for her on the grass, and
made himself generally useful and par
ticularly agreeable A mutual attach>
ment at once sprung up--ths was in
lS40-and for the space of seven years,
although Miss Bodily's father was at
first hostile to the suit, the parties con-
tinued TO meet and correspond. In The
year 1916, after Mr.. Thomas had writ
ten his intended no less than three hund'
red letters in prose and verse, his aflec
ton began to cool, and in lS47 he broke
off the match altogether and married
Miss Gill, who had money. For this
outrage Miss Bodily brought her suit,
and during the trial, out Of several reams
of letters she introduced to prove Mr..
Thomas's promises, some thirty epistles
we're read to court convused with
laughter.
We give few specimens, which beat
anything Mr. Willis. or any other gath
erer of love missives, has brought to
light.
Here is specimen OF Mr.. Thomas's
style, showing the state of his feelings
in 1912. 1t would seem that Miss Bod
lily had been reprimanding him for
sticking too closely TO his business, fear
ful that his health would suffer. The
letter is dated
July 25, 1912.
Don't be afraid, my dear, shan't
take any situation where find the work
will be too hard for me. I've more re-
gard for you, my love, than TO do that.
Again, my darling. beseech you, don't
make yourself uneasy. but put aside
melancholy thoughts. take as much
exercise as possible Believe lne to be,
my darling Eliza, yours most faithfully
and ailectlonalely,
Miss T. Bodily. J. THOMAS"
A few days after this, Mr.. Thomas
received a letter from Eliza, which
seems to have exercised him smarily.
He had been seeking a situation, not
having at this time entered into the gro
Gerry business on his account, and in the
closing sentence makes known his mind
and fortune. But to the letter:
July 81. ls42.-My darling of my
heart-when your dear letter was put
into my hands this morning, l fairly
Jumped with joy. 1t was like giving q
lady who had tainted a strong bottle ol
smelling salts and when | saw that
dear seal, 1--WE part TO meet again."
kissed it over and over again. All
thinks /, she has al last given over the
idea that we are not 10 meet again, es
pecially so when ] tell you, my darling
love, that have at length, after verv
great exertion, obtained a situation, g. C
] am, my darling love, yours mos
, faithfully and aiTeclionately.
Miss E. Bodily. J. THOMAS"
E Miss Eliza, it appears, had habit o
stopping up late a, night" of whicl
: Mr.. Thomas is anxious she should breal
!, herself. Here is the letter upon tn
subject, which is dated
u " "September A, lS12-My own dar
ling Eiza-how often do wish coul
+ but see her, and impress upon her lip
the sweet boon of beauty "a kss).
am sorry to fnd, my love, that you sii
il continue your old habit of stopping II
: late Pm positive that it greatly injure
g your health but believe that YOU vii
. never do otherwise until you, my love
IS and | are one, which God grant may b
e = as soon as possible, and then I've II
d doubt but what she will go 10 bed EARL
n er. Ever your most aiIeclionate.
II J. THOMAS"
l. 1t was not until the month followin
that Mr.. Thomas began to essay un
s burhening himself in metre. His alIec
e ton now seems TO have taken a poeti
= turn, and he gives vent as follows
October O. lsi:
n My dearest dove, Eliza moon,
- Could fly like an owl, by the light of II
ID would reach my dear Eliza to-nigh
y Her dropping head on my bosom shoul