Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1881-09-08
Vol. XVII. Whole No. 1889. No. So.
Submitted to Arbitration.
A MERIToRIoUs WESTERN FASHION OF SET
THING BREACH OF PROMISE SUITS.

One day last week Detroit produce buy
er had occasion 10 remain over night with a
farmer IN western Michigan. While eating
supper he was asked if he knew much about
law whether he had ever served on a Jury;
if he called himself competent man TO ar
bitrste in an affair between neighbors, and
if he was posted on the law regarding breach
of promise cases. He answered these ques-
tons as best he could, and apparently TO the
satisfaction Of the farmer. for as soon as the
meal was finished the sun-browned agricul-
turist confidently began;
ii think you are pretty square man. and
may want YOU 10 help me out Of little
difficulty. III be back IN about an hour"
lie put ON his hat and went down the road,
and at the time agreed upon he returned in
company with Young farmer about twenty
two Years old. whom he called JOsephus.
The only peculiar things about Jo.ephus
we're his haxen hair. long legs, white eye
brows and breadth Of feet. bat he was no
mud-sIll. A. soon a. he vas introduced be
opened the case as follows.
There haln't no use in beating around
the bush. The fact is, when first come here
fell in love with Uncle Sile's Mary. She
reciprocated. and We agreed 10 have each
other. That's correct isn't IT, Unele Sile ?"
Il guess that's about the way Of it," he
replied.
w all. to make long story short last
Jinuary | gin MARY the cold shake fur
gal over in the Bebee settlement. Mary is
good gal but she haIn't even second I'D
die on style or good looks. and Uncle Slle
knows that a. well as do. Now, then,
they've been talking about breach of
promise suit on me, and won't deny they've
got sase. I've been willing all along to
settle damages on a fair basis, but We could
Mt Just agree on what was fair Uncle Sile
comes over and says you are here, and he
offers to leave it out to YOU II will, and so,
if you will act on the case, we'll come to
some agreement"
Where is Mary ?" asked the Detroiter.
"Down in Martin county, Ind" answered
the father.
And she writes home" added Josephus,
that she had nine offers Of marriage in two
weeks. Them Hoosiers is just swarming
for her. Them nine offers wants to be con-
sdered IN assessing damages"
How old IS she p
'She is only tVenty-one, and that's an
other thing to be considered. "raint like as
if she va, forty, and might have to 90 off
to China as Il missionary
And how much property are you
worth ,"
We'll. I've forty acres Of scrub land, an
old COW and mule, and reckon the traps
around the place might bring 80 at auc-
ton. That's honest Injun, and Uncle SHE
knows it."
"lcs, that's about the way he's fixed"
.Ail the farmer
And another thing you want 20 consider
Is the fact that ! amt purity. II was pur-
", the gal might claim high damage, but
I'm about as Internal homeIy a. Digger In
Jun. Add to this the fact that I'm an lnhdel
and that can't sing. nor fiddle. nor dance.
aud am too lAzy To ENJOY a billed dinner,
and What ha, the gal lost by not marrying
me -
And you are both willing To leave IL 10
me ."
81 reckon" they answered together
We'll al. things considered. said the
Dctrui'rr after due reflection. am, verdict
is that J1~.pH4. arI,. tae ca over here Iu
f4l far all damage. What 5a ,1l sly.
Young man
The co~ 3. vorfn 80. ba' J.. BE- o
rather than aa,r aay bard 's,.ags
Hos .s i ~.'t 5000. IHD.r ~.r'"
Wal guess tha'.s 1a.H' sfr have
'.,1 .floss1x a4' flJ - .n .,.s. Y4, time.
ars uarf, s.4s and wnnt ra give Ja- far
.h.u trYH s.r ta, rr.f4-. Jl--ph4s. auI
-. have PIP. u1H--- m4.is a.lf. treat fHs
stranger d. sarI .l.-r. lrl e ta trfi fre.
u fHl' uf trr q. s,I fr.sH.ls b. before
i.l ga Mar 's, .Has,