West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-10-10
A BREACH o. PROMISE.

am indebted to Mr. Mumps for the
opportunity to tell this story. NAV
not more exactly specify the where
abouts of that honest tradesman's busi
ness than that he keeps beer-shop
within one hundred miles of the back of
ShOreditch Church, and which includes
a convenient tap-roOm for the use of
ms customers. IL was here that n
meeting OF curious character recent
~ took place, Mr.. Mumps and myself
being present. Ii came about like this
Il am quoting the landlords own
words); "Old Croggins, who lets bar
rows, sometimes supplies stock as we'll
TO the costermongcrs about here. and is
man worth good bit of money. He
comes TO me, Mumps,' he saws. Il
want the use OF your tap-room for an
hour or two tomorrow afternoon on
the quiet, and on very particular fami
~ business. You know that VOuno
Virgins has been counting my eldest
gal, Sarah. this eighteen months and
more! Course You do he says, every
body knows it, and have been looking
Tor a Il to their being spiced rs sound
affair. But here's something Won don't
KNOW MumpS. and, if YOU are the man
L take you for. you would never ex-
pect. Young Virgins has cried off!
ana says, as plain as il can be put i'm
black and white, that after what has
come to his ears he don't see it. and il
can { happen. And the old chap pro-
cures letter. continued Mr.. Mumps.
which here 1t is, he having left it with
me for safety, IN case at anv time il
should be wanted Miss Croppins-
This comes to let you know that what
used TO feel tow'ds you | don't no
longer. and it haint my fault but yourn
The wormth of my afecshin is now cold
rs hice, and fancy you have only pot
TO harsk your art the reason why. II
You want further particulars, as I'm
still honerbul, though no longer luving.
you can harsk my old mother as I've
told everything to. What I've give
YOU, meaning the chancy-tee-thinrs
and the clock. and the other things.
you may keep 'em, and may
you be happy with them and
Ahother' Is the wust wish of yours
no longer, Edward Virgins Old
Croggins asked me- continued Mr.
Mumps, ''what thought of il, and |
said that it meant cold shoulder and
nothing but it, and inquired if his
daughter had any more of Master
Ieddy's letters. She's rot about n
half peck measure full OF 'em. sir
says he, and all Of en- as hot as This
one is hicy, and I'm going to pull him
on the strength Of EN- You don't
mean, L says, that you are going TO
law on a breach of promiseP Not
likely, says he Il amt such fool. but
I'm goin to put my gal right, none the
less tor that I'm agoing to have his
people and my people here tomorrow
afternoon, and fair and square hear
what he's got to say, and what she's
got TO answer. I've got my Sails word
Tor it. says old Croggins,' that she's
been honest and true, and amt
ashamed or afraid to look him in the
face, and give him wherefore for his
why, however he likes TO put il. He's
been asked what his grounds are. and
ms answer is fust, that he never did
downright make promise, and. sec
ond' that II he did, after what has hap
pened' he can't reasonably be asked to
SUCK 10 IT. And suppose he can't
prove his case?' Then. saws MIR Crog-
gins, all ties and friendship atween his
people and my people will be broke off
and Sarah brother Joe. who works
over in BcrmOndsey in LANYARD. will
be called on 10 give Teddy Wigpin.
damages. ! want you TO be present
Mumps, he says, YOU being a family
man. with grown-up daughters Of your
own, and ] should likewise wish ono
other party. who you know / can an.
swer for. 10 be there, YOU and him act
ing as referees in case there should be
any aWkWardness. 50. said Mr..
pumps 10 me ~ you like 90 make one
~ Ihe party there your chance Be
l1re c''-lhG with the o5lging beer
snDP S,eePef proposal. asked him
W. wa % understand by the awk-
"'.'ln5'' ne hlnted' but as be promptly
"sIurel me ihat u was agreed ON both
, - 'l"I Whatever might he proved or
n..sP'O'e,l' mere was To- be no fight ON
IVY ,Ic'nI'e''I accepted the Office he had
Iunciuallv az the time appointed the
Parues arrived the following afternoon.