San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-07-27
"Nlnrrled Onct," but Only q
Little.

Little.
Mr.. johnson Topp moved from Ten
nessee across the Mississippi. into AR
kansas. He was a man OF means and
a bachelor. He was not wholly averst
to matrimony. but hs had fear o.
widows. Grass. widows especially were
a terror to, him. He had moved from
East Tennessee to. Middle Tenpessee
from that section to West Tcnpessee
and finally over into Arkansas to es
cape real or fancied matrimonial dan.
ger arising from enterprising, perhaps
charming, Tennessee widows.
That being Mr.. johnson Tops his.
tory, it surprised his friends that he
should appear as defendant in the case
Of Dublin versus Topp; suit for breach
of promise. But the Circuit Court
docket for Crittendsn coucty disclosed
the fact of the suit, and tho affidavit
of Mrs. Malinda Dublin set forth the
particulars.
The plaintiff was put upon the stand
to tell how wickedly she had been led
into false hopes by this middle aged
bachelor.
II live at home with my old dad"
she said, "and this fcller kept comm
round thar maxim believe he wanted
to trade mules. After he traded a
time or two till that was played out,
he come wantin cotton seed. know
ed he only wanted an excuse to git to
see me, and told Pop when he come
again to bring him in aud see whether
he'd talk turkey or not if he had a
fair chance. And that was just what
he wanted. You never see man set
up to woman pearter than he did as
soon as ever Pop introduced US, tellin
him, This is my darter, Malindy.'
He was powerful shy at the offset; but
let him GIT fairly started on mules and
shoates, and he was dead sure to end
with sparkin'. And it appeared like
he couldn't wait more'n mint for
woman to say yes. l didn't fool with
the man as lots do, but l said yes anil
about the next thing that happened he
was tryin' to crawfsh. That's about
the whole story"
But her lawyer did not think.t was
the whole story, and he was right
there was more to be told.
"Will you state to the jury how it
happened that the defendant, Topp.
went back on his word after he had
asked you to marry hima"
"Well, as l said before, he was the
most uneasy man till he got his. ans,
wer, which was yes. The fourth of
July, l allowed, would be soon enough
or the wedding day, but be knowed
,e couldn't wait till then-it was i'm.
possible. l told him to call Pop in
md talk it over. I went over to the
iitchen te git up a squar' meal. and
hew the man could do the tallest
ookin' in Arkansaw, when l let my.
elf out for it in dead earnest"
"And what happened when your
ather and the defendant, Topp, talk
d it over?"
Before l left 'em I told Pop the
lan was on the marry, and l reckined
was all right. Pop allowed they'd
est have something to take. set on
he whisky and sugar, and told them
har was cookin' to do; if they pre-.
erred mint in theirs they knowed iist
here to git lt.-When | came back
lw things was wrong. The first thing
he man said, and he lookin' sober'n a
lneral, was: 'Curnel Dublin. | allow
d your gal, Malindy. was a single gal
II this mint. : Is she single, or is
be ever been married afore?' And
'op he told the truth, lookin hin
lumb in the eye: She's been married
net, but-only liitle-only little.
nd said: That's so; he's talkin'
he Gospel iacts-only little The
AN lit out then mighty suddent; and
Ie aud Pop thinks if thar's any law
Arkansaw he orter pay"
The defendant urged that be didn't
ant a wife who had been married
Ter so little. He thought he had
-. l.ox.-I IT. :. l.n I