Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-01-03
ALL FOR LOVE.
TWO REAL ROMANCES.
A Striking Illustration of the Dam
gers of EpistOIary COurtship, and of
the Difficulties Caused by Similar
Names
WINNING THE WRONG WOMAN.

| WINNING THE WRONG WOMAN.
The Pittsburgh Commercial of Dec. 9
tells the following story:
A novel breach of promise of marriae
was brought to light in this city shol
time since, and is now pending before al
bitrators. Eighteen years ago, near th
city of Belfast, an impressible young Irish
man fell deeply in love with a biushine
rosy-cheeked lass of his own neighbol
hood, at 'frolic" given at the house of
friend. The young man had neve
been in love, and he was so smitten b.
the charms of the fair one that he could no
rest till he had maue a proposal O
marriage. With the characteristic boldnes
of rollicking young Irishman, he popped
the question, but was somewhat cooled il
his ardor on finding that the object of hi
alteration did not receive the proposition
with that favor which he had anticipated
However, like many another suitor, he wa
compelled to accept the DEGREES of fate
Time wore on, and the young man, havinE
determined TO seek his fortune in America
bade adieu to friends at home, and no fare
well was so sorowful as that uttered in the
hearing of ''the girl he left behind him.
he located here in Pittsburg, and obtained
employment in a rolling-mill on the South
Side. Seventeen years had passed, and
the impressible young man, who had been
so smitten with the rosy-cheeked
lass, had changed materially
in appearance, in feeling, and in sentiment,
but still nursed an affection for his first love.
Indeed, he had never loved another, so she
remained not only his first, but only love.
He had lost all trace of her, however, for
many years, and did not know whether she
was married or single, living or dead. A
"friend from Ireland" happenedt to call upon
him, and the recollections of "auid lang
syne" were revived. How natural it was
for Mr.. - to inquire about his loVe-lass.
With deepening interest he learned that she
was still alive, that she was doing well, ard
better than all, that she was unmarried. The
old flame was soon rekindled. Thinking
that time, and perhaps want of bet
ter opportunity, might have changed
the feelings of the rosy-cheeked lass, he de-
termined to renew the offer of seventeen
years before. He had learned in that time
to look upon matrimony with somewhat of
a business eye, and he found an additional
incentive in the fact that the maiden had
become an accomplished seamstress, and
carried on profitable establishment on her
own account. Then Mr.. - had ability
to earn handsome competence, and real
izing how pleasant it would be to join their
fortunes here in the Smoky City, he pos
sessed himself of the proper address, and III
the glowing language Of an ardent nature,
he told the story of hi. years of patient
waiting, his unceasing affection, and all that
sort of thing. Then he came right down
to business, proposing to send her money
to pay her passage TO PittSburg, and to
make her his wife Immediately on her ar
rival here. The letter was received, and
the response was favorable. Several ten
der epistles passed between the parties; but
a remarkable fact was developed-a fact
that seemed ominous Of evil to Mr.. -,
namely: That Miss - could not recall
the ''frolic" of seventeen years before. 1t
was unaccountable to him that she could
have altogether forgotten that night, and
the conquest she achieved in winning his
heart. Notwithstanding this troublesome
the details were
arranged, and the contract finally entered
into. The passage money was
the vessel selected, and it was
understood that on her arrival at the Union
depot in this city she would display white
handkerchief from car window on the left
hand side, so that Nr. - could find her
without difficulty. The happy day came,
Mr.. - was in waiting, and the train was
expected. On his arrival be
scanned the windows on the left side Of
.he train, but saw no signal. The passen-
gers had nearly left the platform, and he
was about giving up in despair, when he
was approached by an elderly and not over
lady, who said: 81 take you
for a countryman OF mine, and as
am stranger here. l wish
10 ask you if you know
Mr.. -, who works il IS miIl?"
~ am the very man." answered Mr.. -,
'and came here to meet Miss -" 81
AN Miss -, sir" replied the lady. Mr..
. gaZed at the woman in utter aston
and failed to recognize in her the
rosy checked lass" who had so captiVatsd
him seventeen years before. A fearful mis-
lake had been made, aud Mr.. - was
to inform Miss - that she vas
not the lady who had won his love, and
for whom he had so long cherished an az
lection. 1t is not necessary to de-
all the explanations which followed.
It is enough to say that MIR. -
refused to marry her because she was
not the person he loved, and the person he
he had courted by letter. An ex-
animation developed the startling fact that
she was a second cousin of the ''rosy-cheek-
ID lass" that she bore the same name pre-
;isely, lived in the same locality, and was
he daughter of a man whose name was
IDENTICAL with that of the father Of the
maiden with the rosy cheeks. The "frieQd
rom Ireland" had caused all the mischief
n mistaking one lady for another. Mr..
-, acting on this false information, had
,ourted the wrong person; and worse than
III, he had made a solemn prom
Sc of marriage in writing, which
contract the lady held In
Ter possession. She was some eight wears
older than the 'rosy-cheeked lass" which
placed her on the wrong side of fifty, and
his was an additional barrier to the con-
summation of the contract on the part of
Mr.. -. But the lady, who had come
10 far to wed, stood upon her con-
ract, and when tears and persuasions
allied, she sought legal advice. Mr.
leld that be was not liable under the prom
Sc, but on advice of his counsel agresd to
efer the whole matter to arbitrators, whose
Iecision is to be final The arbitrators
hosen are three members of the bar,
Who are now engaged in perusing the CORE
pondence, and hearing evidence, to enable
hem to arrive at just conclusion. 1t is
understood that Mr.. - agrees TO pay |
diss IS passage back to Ireland; but the
ady insists that she is entitled to damages
or breach of promise The lawyers think
here is a nice question of law involved, and
he case would have gone before the court |
lad it not been that both parties wish to
void the publicity which a public trial
would involve.
The parties to this suit are J. S. Corbett,
Vho is described as rather "a fine looking
entleman, past the middle age, and who
as been in business for number of years
u South Pittsburgh" The name of the
ldy is Margaret Gilmore, who weighs close
n two hundred pounds. The arbitrators
ave rendered a decision allowing Miss
fillmore the sum of $400 (she sued for
100000 for the laceration of her heart.
Jeither party is satisfied with the result.
Iiss Gilmore considers the sum trifing
Or the disappointment and misery en-
allied upon her by the doings of false
over, while Corbett thinks he is
aging too high for his folly. 1t was very
heap, and although neither party is salts