The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-07


Lots and Trips 10 Europe Not For
hidden Topics Declared Devotion
10 "A Girls Happiness Not n Prom
Use.
From the New York Sun.
Up to the presnt time Irritation has been
a vague sort of performance. Every one
had his or her own definition of it. Some
times it was an art sometimes a science;
sometimes an accident. Whatever it
might be it was without definite limit or
determination. and its line of demarca-
ton on one side from friendship and on
the other from a more intimate relation
was established by no unvarying boun-
Diary. Now, all that is in a fair way to be
changed.
The court Of appeals In this state has
taken the initial step in determining the
limit of a mans attention TO a woman,
to which he may so without laying him
self liable to damages of breach OF
promise suit. Judge Haight hands down
the opinion in the case of Nellie e. Yale
respondent. against william r. Curtiss,
appellant. the general term having affirm
ed Judgment awarding damages to Miss
Yale and the case having been appealed.
Meantime Mr.. Curtiss has married an
other woman; one who appears in the
case.
In Judge Haights opinion a full review
Of the Irritation between Mr.. Curtiss and
Miss Yale is given The little drama, OF
which the scene is laid in Norwich, ~. -
is more idyllic than passionate. II con-
sists mainly in such innocent joys as pdhu
concerts. walks home from church ana
calls by the supposedly ardent swain VINO
STAYED until 10 or IL o'clock, never re-
.naining after that hour" His converse
ton on such subjects as corner lots ana
the attractions in the New York theaters,
considered as a style of wooing, bring 10
mind the eloquent plea of Sergt. Buz1uz
An the cause celebre of Barden VS.. PICK
wick: "Chops! Gracious heavens gem
tlemen. and tomato sauce"
II appears that the plaintiff, who ot the
time of the trial was Is years old, taught
school In Norwich Nothing in the writ
ten opinion gives a hint OF her personal
appearance. whether short or tall, dark
or fair The same is true OF the delend-
ant who returned to Norwich from TINS
citv in 1884. having inherited some prop
ertv. and took up his residence there with
his sister Mrs. Chapman. He was elgh-
teen wears Miss Yale's senior. All de-
tails regarding the personal characters
tics of the hero and heroine of the drama
must be supplied by the imagination. The
action begins at wedding in NORWICH
where the pair met. What Mr.. Curtiss
said to Miss Yale and what Miss Yale re-
piled to Mr.. Curtiss are not touched upon.
Perhaps they talked about the weather.
Anyway, they became acquainted, which
is the main point, and week or two
afterward. when took her home from an
evening prayer meeting, and followed this
up by escorting her to band concert.
Then he went to New York and stayed
there several weeks. The opinion doesn't
say why.
Miss Yale was a member of the Con-
ercgational church and sang in the choir.
Mr.. Curtiss, upon his return from New
York, Joined the church, and, having
melodious voice. was pressed into the
choral service. Occasionally he escorted
Miss Yale home after the service. In Nor
witch and similar villages this constitutes
what is called keeping company" One
OF the very first times they came home
from prayer meeting together he said to
her:
Il am going to New York soon, and I
wish you were there this winter instead
of last, because l would like TO accom-
pany you to entertainments which ! am
expecting to enjoy while / am there"
This declaration Miss Yale treasured up.
Subsequently she sprung it upon the de-
PENDANT at the trial. 1t appears that
for two years he kept taking her home
after meeting and "entered the house upon
her invitation and visited with her until
10 or IL o'clock, but never remaining after
that hour" This is known in Norwich as
sitting up" 1t is a concomitant of
keeping company" Mr.. Curtiss never
called at the house, however except when
he came to take Miss Yale out or es-
cort her home. On some occasions he es-
corted other young ladies, but no men,
ton is made of any other breach of prom
Use suit. Probably he didn't escort them
so often. A man can't keep company"
with more than one girl at a time with
out making trouble: not In Norwich. Mr..
Curtiss actions made trouble; but that
comes later. On the third summer of
their acquaintance Mr. Curtss mentioned
to Miss Yale, as they. were walking home
from church that he had been invited to
go to Europe but remarked that he would
prefer to walt another year. Miss Yale
said that she hadn't any particular desire
TO go to Europe on account of her fear
OF crossing the water. When they reached
home he said:
Honestly and truly. would you allow
your fear of the water to prevent you
from going, if you could go just as well
as not?'
No direct answer was made to this, out
little latter Miss Yale remarked that IL
Mr.. Curtiss went she should think he
would nke 10 go IN party.
Husband and wife is party enough for
me-" he said, but he didn't specify any
particular husband and wife, nor did he
say whether he expected to be one of the
couple or merely wanted the pair along
TO chaperone him.
sometimes he took her driving, and once
he pointed out two vacant lots on South
Broad street. She contemplated the lots.
on former occasion he had told her
that he intended to build the incest house
In Norwich. Her memory was in good
working order, and recNlled that obser-
walton when he pointed out the lots.
Which did she like the better, he asked.
IL Is not recorded that she specified either
one. After they got home she asked him
20 come In, but he declined, saying that
some day he would make her long VISIT.
SO FAR the course of true love-if such il
were-had apparently run smooth enough,
bus now enters upon the stage 70 slow
music and subdued lights. the disturbing
element. This was Miss Hall, now Mrs
Curtiss. Rumors went abroad in Nor.
witch that Mr.. Curtiss was keeping com.
pany' with Miss Han. and that he had
only been going with Miss Yale "to SEE