Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-12-17
New YOrk's Breach Of Promise
Case.
IrA. HsxRr. AND SISTER RosISA.

Tuesday morning that pSrucuiariy Ariu
| legal wilderness, the United States circuit
courtroom in New York citv, blossomed
like the rose From under pretty bonnets
pre,tier eyes, bright with excitement and
round with curosW ", srarkled the right
Promethean FIRE into the very ACE and eyes
Of his honor on the bench, along the rows OF
good men and true l.. the box, and even over
the bald heads of the learned gentlemen
scribbling away for dear life at the counsel
table. Delicate perfumes mingled and
struggled daintily with the pervading cdor OF
musty law. Ii any nninto-med person had
asked the reason of this gav invasion, he
would have been told that the ladies had
come to court to hear the trial of an action
for breach of promise of marriage brought by
Ida Ullman of New York city against Henry
NJ. Never of Richmond; damages. $4,000
They were repaid for their trouble. The
plaintiff, who is Is wears old, the daughter Of
n wealthy cigar manufacturer, and described
by the reporters as young woman OF great
personal attractiveness, told her little love
story in simple, straightforward fashion
that more than one novel-writer of the day
might protitaby study. She first saw her
recreant Henry in her fathers house. He
was brought there by friend. This was in
December, 1879. Afterward he called
| repeatedly, as often as his business brought
him to New York. In August of last year
he asked her TO take moonlight ride with
him, Another young lady went along, and a
Young man of the name oc Tompkins. They
drove thaough Central Park On the return,
he told her he loved her and asked her to be
his wife. At first she said she didn't know
| whether she loved him or not, bnt before they
reached home she had given him leave to
speak to her papa. few days after, he call
ed at the house with another young man.
She did not kiss him and he scolded her.
She told him that she could not kiss him be-
fore folks until he spoke to papa and the en-
gagement was made public. Thereupon
Master Henrv-he was barely out of his
teens-took his courage in his two hands, as
the French say, and spoke TO Father Ullman.
Papa. after the usual remarks ON their ex-
treme youth, gave a conditional consent; if
Father and Mother Never at Richmond ap-
proved of the match, he would not oppose
it. October - Henry reported that his
parents were delighted, that he was to have
large interest in the business-Julius Meyer
& Son, fancy notions and dry goods-and
that he wished the wedding to come off in
April. November 10 he gave Ida a betrothal
ring in the presence of witnesses and with the
solemnities usual On such occasions in Jewish
families.
Not only was he attentive and aAcctionate
when he was With her, but he wrote her near
ly hundred love-letters. In these he al
dressed her as his darling; tells her of his
desire to eat her letters, ''stamp. envelope
and all :" narrates personal and family Incl
dents: assures her she is "solid with the
Meyers mentions that he wasn't able to
go to the wedding of his old girl because IL
| came at .he busiest time Of the day and his
motto is business before pleasure; announces
that he is going to a leap-vear hop; and shall
hug all the girls he can. but that only the real
yirl wi do far I'M 2 m
on his good luck in this lover-like fashion:
II do believe I've got the incest, sweetest
little goosc in this country" As late as
Jan. of this year his principal object In
going to sleep was to dream of his darling.
Up to that time, then. all was sunshine and
blue sky. But n storm was brewing. In Dec
ember of last year lIenry's sister Rosina paid
a visit to Ida One dav Mt breakfast each Of
the girls got Richmond letter. Ida, after
reading hers, remarked that 1t was hardly
worth the postage stamp there was so little in
it. Rosina flew into a temper said she sup
posed the Meyer family wasn't good enough
for Ida. called Ida deceitful disaRreeable
thing and a man-enticer, announcing her pur-
pose to open Henry's eyes. In vain Ida
begged her to be calm. and not to break two
loving hearts. Rosina wouldn't listen to her
and left the house. January 20, Henry came to
see her. When she went into the parlor. he
turned his back on her. She was frightened
especially she remembered having heard
that he once stabbed a man. lie asked
Mrs. Ullman to leave them alone together.
| and she begged her mother not to go out Of
| hearing. Then he demanded explanation of
certain stories he heard about her from his
sister. She explained one or two easily. She
had received a ring. but it was from an old
friend of the family. A visitor who had had
little too much champagne had tried to kiss