Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1891-04-24
Egr.y nollars For srer Love.


sorrowful plaintiff in breach of
promise suit before Judge Ewing
score in which John Wesley
Smith, a coal digger of three
years and ten, was charged with
shattering the future happiness of
Mrs. Ayers to an extent unbeatable
by filthy lucre, but for which the
disconsolate widow was willing to
accept a momentary consideration.
The amount was lett to the discre-
ton of IL good men, to whom Mrs.
Ayers told her tale of woe in tear.
full manner that would bring fortunes
to the young maidens who play the
parts of disappointed sweethearts in
stage comedies. The plaintiff was
ably coached by Attorney Fitzsim-
mons, who met just as strong an
adversary in A. D. Wilkins, the at
torney for the tickle defendant.
For FIVE short years it was stated
that Mr.. Smith had wooed and seem
ingly loved the plaintiff. lie waged
his devotion furiously until Febru-
ary, 1890, when, to the surprise of
neighbors and grief of Mrs. Ayers,
he deserted his fair alliance, and
withou. provocation married anoth-
er. Since then the defeated widow
has spent her time in mourning, but
row she has thrown off the sack
cloth and ashes and started out to
seek revenge.
81 first met the defendant about
five years ago." said the plaintiff
81 was introduced by friend, who
said Mr.. Smith wanted a house,
keeper 20 go in training to become
his wife. I went to Mr.. Smith with
that understanding and was engaged
by him with the promise that |
should soon be promoted from serv'
ant to wife. That promise was Ie-
newed almost daily for the year and
half remained in his house. He
courted me all the time. and we had
several wedding days fixed, but
when the time came he always in
vented some excuse. The last time
was on February Is, and when |
asked him why he wouldn't fulfill
his promise he said he hadn't money
enough. | offered him 5000, but he
wouldn't take it. then moved to
another house about 100 yards away
from his. He visited me ut that
place every Gay, and was there very
near all the time. The last time he
was at my house was OF Wednesday.
We had long talk about marriage,
and he again said he hadn't money
enough. l renewed my 5000 offer,
but he still refused. The next
Saturday he married another"
Mrs. Norton, Mansfield lady,
was called as a witness. She said !:
81 took Mrs. Ayers down to Mr..
Smith when he was after house
keeper. He told me if she was n
nice, clean woman he would marry
her. After Mrs. Ayers moved into
her own house | visited her often
and nearly always found Mr.. Smith
there"
What were you doing at Mrs.
Ayers ?" broke in Attorney Wilkins.
'sThat is none OF your business" :"
was the startling reply.
"Quite right" broke in Judge
Ewing with smile. II was about
to make the same ruling"
Continuing, Mrs. Norton said the
couple at war always acted as if they
were engaged.
'.Is that expert testimony asked
Attorney Wilkins, sarcastically.
81 guess | know" replied the
witness in fiery tone. Il have
been married twice. Once to a
Dutchman and once to an Irishmau,
and I ought to know what love is"
Thomas Ayers, son of the plain
tiff, testified that his mother and
Mr.. Smith "sparked." That was oil
he knew.
Mr.. Smith denied emphatically
having proposed to Mrs. Ayers.
He said that the plaintiff frequently
told him that he should get married,