The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-18

Abingdon, and in the year 1876 hel
brother and her aunt proceeded to Lon
don for the purpose of bringing her home
She was then sixteen years of age. In
London they met the defendant, who was
for the first time introduced to Miss Nc.
Evers. During their stay there the de.
| fendant showed marked attention to the
young girl, and this was the beginning Of
the acquaintance. In 1878 Mr.. ONeill
came to Cork for the purpose OF deliver.
ing lecture on ''lrishmen in England, y
aud the acquaintance with Miss McEvers
was renewed. He frequently dined at her
! friends houses, and expressed admiration
for the plaintiff. He visited Cork again
during the same year, and in an inter
view he had with the plaintiffs uncle,
Mr.. Bourke, he intimated his intention to
marry the lady, and spoke as to her pros
poets. He stated that there were some
business obstacles to his marriage. Up
to this time he had not written any let
ters to the LADY, but had made her sever,
al presents, including ring, a gold
watch, and some souvenirs. Shortly after
leaving Cork in October he wrote from
Dublin:
"MoNDAY, 8 q. m,-MY DEAR JULIA:
As arranged, have great pleasure in
writing direct to you instead Of to Wal
ter. The past few days were spent very
pleasantly with you. Thrice happy days!
| should like TO have them over again.
All me! How quickly they passed away.
| write with deep emotion. | have not
vet got over the pain of parting. Believe
me, dear Julia, yours, sincerely.
civilian LANE ONEILL."
A regular correspondence was then
kept up between the parties, the defend
ants letters breathing sentiments of the
deepest affection. From London he
wrote:
81 now write to you accordingly. /
said to you on Monday, in reply to Wal
ter's question, that it was uncertain
when | should return to Cork but you
will know my solemn resolve-lhat,
whether in Cork or elsewhere, shall see
you as soon as possible, and the sooner
the better. | Travelled the whole way to
London nearly alone. I did not care to
enter into conversation with any one; |
was glad to be left to my own thoughts,
sad and loving, concerning some one.
You must guess who. The perfume of
your last kiss still fingers on my lips.
With those large blue eyes gazing on me,
and your fair arms twining round my
neck-but | must not continue; my
heart is full. Yours, sincerely,
"W. LANE O'NEILL."
In another letter he wrote
Il saw my dear Julias face in the fire
last night before which l was sitting in
an armchair wrapt in thought for hours
thoughts of whom you must guess; ten
der and loving ones all. | have had a
slight cold, and do wish your blue eyes
were here to act as a charmer. You say
YOU have received letter from an old
admirer of yours, and have not yet an
swered it till you have received an an
swer from me. This, | repeat, is very
odd thing. To be frank with my sweet
blue eyes, I had absolutely placed entire
faith in you. Believe me forever and
ever yours very sincerely,
CIVILIAN LANE ONEILL."
So matters went on until January
1879, when the plaintiff, who was then
in Dublin, received letter which began:
"DEAR MADAME: Your letter re-
ceived this morning wrote you several
letters before you left Cork. You over
looked most of them altogether, and
when you wrote / found you totally
changed to me. You dwelt upon old ad-
mirers. Oh, ! have tried to be for some
time silent, merely remarking that it was
very odd. | did not then and / do not
now, reproach you. As there was no en-
gagement, / had, of course no right to
blame you, injured though was, hurt
and deeply panied though was, at the
return for my ardent affection and love.
Yet suffering is the badge Of my life, and
! forgive you"
He continued:
"Your silence and your GOODNESS contin-
tinued and increased in Dublin. The oc-
casional line / received was very cold,
and at last my letters were returned to
me through the post-ofice unopened,
which completed the story of a young
man in search of Il wife,"
Counsel concluded by calling on the
jury to mark by their verdict their sense
of the defendants conduct. The plain
tiff, her sister, her brother, and uncle
were examined, and proved that the de-
fendant was received by them as the ac-
cepted suitor of Miss McEvers. He had
inquired after her fortune, which was
stated to be 81, 800 in cash, with prospects
of much more. The defense was opened
on Friday and the defendant was exam
ined. He denied the contract. On one
occasion he presented Miss McEvers with
a ring. She asked if it was to be consid-
cred an engagement ring, and he said
"No." The acquaintance was SO very
short; he was not at all prepared for 50
serious suggestion. Witness admitted
he liked the plaintiff, but denied that any
arrangements were made for their mar
riage. The friends of the plaintiff en-
deavored to tease him into an engage
ment, but he always said it was out of
question, and his acquaintance with Miss
McEvers was too short. The jury found
for the plaintiff damages, FL 900.
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