Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-07-18
THE COURTS DECISION.

1hE GUUkI'S DEClSIUN.
G Story of the First Breach of Promise
Case in the United states.
Pieter Kock lived in New York, or
wv Amsterdam, as it was then called,
the year 1854. He was stalwart,
irving burgher had ruddy round
Pe, small twihkling gray eye, sturdy
Ives, and capacious corporation, of
ich he took ample care. Well had
been for him had he bestowed the
Q attention upon his heart. But of
BIT he took no care-allowing it the
dependent privilege of protecting and
Pking after itself. Anna Van Worst
ed on Breedeweg, and boosted the
session of a little competency, which
abled herself and mother to live
thout labor. Anna was most per-
pt specimen of Dutch beauty, having
ken ringlets, dumping cheeks, very
Bht and large blue eyes, pouting lips,
implied elbows, and one of those firm
$ures which are only to be found
hong the lasses of Fatherland. "
ma and Pieter had met, and the mat
f-of-fact business-like damsel be-
ought herself of husband, mentally
Claiming" That is the man for me.
ID I will have him !" Pieter never
eamed of love or marriage. He had
bout forty gallons of choice canary in
s cellar, and he loved that. He had
larder "always well stocked" as the
Evertisements of the porter houses
y, and he was welded to that in soul.
e had too long lived under the super
tending direction of his wrinkled
Pusekeeper, to think of taking a wife
darn his hose and tuck him up in
s Pd. Still he visited Anna Van Worst,
bmplimented her mother, and stroked
le cat, while the maiden, in silence,
aged several batteries of glances
Bainst the fortifcations of his affec.
ons. His nights, which had been
Pent at the great tavern, were now
Fgularly enjoyed in the quiet of O
eaceful home, where, overwhelmed
ith attention and kindness, he slipped
lis canary without knowing exactly why
q felt SO comfortable. For two years
ieter had habitually said, every night,
bin or starlight, to Anna" Good
ven, my dear l''-had exclaimed God
less your most fervently, when the
Id lady sneezed at the usual hour
ckled grimalkin's sleek hide while the
Fater was boiling for domestic use
nd yet he had never gone beyond the
rigid boundary of respect, nor indi.
ated the slightest indication of being
nder the influence of the tenderest oi
III human passions. Poor Anna was il
Despair.
In the days when the judicial enact
nents of New York city covered tn,
lffense of sleeping in church, and sub
ected scolding wives to public repri
nand, and other penalties, modesty, o.
Propriety. was very necessary virtue
md for Anna to have popped the ques
ion herself, would have been for he
TO perpetrate the suicide of her charac
FER. But though woman's modesty pre-
vented this rash act, woman's wit &C
Pomplished the cherished design b,
another method. Pieter Kock had, a
who has not, an Achilles heel--a vul
herable spot which even pigmy's stray
pf design could penetrate-viz., hi
love of canary, and his good natur
when under it's too great influence. s.
Anna-oh, wicked, tricky womanl-
piled him with canary one evening, un
til he was-shall we write it?-drunk
Yes, the important citizen and highly
moral burgher was as drunk as Cassie
He saw two Annas, two cats, tw
duenna mothers, and he felt like tw
men. It is singular, by the way, ths
while intoxication doubles everythin
else, it never performs that interestin
Operation for ones money. AS Piete
saw a reflection of everything, he bt
held the good qualities of Anna Va
Worst in their doubled aspect. and 9
he felt like two men, he loved her twic
as much as he ever had before, and
solemnly popped the question over hi
sixth pint. He was accepted, and
duly serious contract was at once rat
fed, after which Pieter Kock VIZ
trundled to his residence near ii
Burgher's Bettery, scolded by b
housekeeper, and then installed betwee
: his virtuous sheets.
Peters promise was of some servit
to him it made him Minb--a luxui
he had seldom taken the trouble to Ell
Joy. As he cogitated over his pro
poets he was pleased and happy on
after he had visited the bride elect
such shout a month, he discovered th