The San Francisco call., 1899-08-29
ALAMEDA COUNTY NEWS.
PASTOR PLAYS THE
PART OF PEACEMAKER

OAKLAND, Aug. 2S.-Miss Jane Hodge
had bought her new bonnet, her tailor
made dress and all the accompanying
articles that go to make up orloal
trousseau when John Nicholl, the aged
capitalist, told her "it is all off.
The testimony that is gradually coming
out in this case breatheS very strongly
of little plotting here and there TO re-
lieve the ordinary romance of loVe-mak-
ing In her deposition, which has just
been taken, Miss Hodge told Mr.. Nicholfs s
attorney, A ]. Mhoon, of all her prepa-
rat!ons for her marriage. The hat was
ordered in Oakland, the tailor-made dress
was created in San Francisco, and many
other articles were procured in various
places as the lady happened to see them
when completing her wedding outnt.
The rides she took with her aged lover
also occupied a large part of Miss Hodges
time while giving her deposition. 1t was
during one of these rides that Mr.. Nicholl
ventured to put his arm around the lady, $
waist and to murmur sweet words, which
have since laid the basis for this inter
esting damage suit Deeemner Gem EN- u % Oh Mass lass
home a3nse With ie her "a aunt i"' when hen Mr. NIchoi
Msy Hodge to 5hs sa hpqoe o her In aunt sP5h hy OF
You go driving with Mr.. Nichoil?" to
which the aunt replied: go on, you silly
thing. You know he has come for you.
and put on your wraps said Mr.. Nicholl.
Then followed the ride, and from all that
can be learned the very interesting cere-
mony of popping the question was re-
peated.
Attorney Mhoon was very anxious to
obtain from the lady her opinion as TO
Nicholl might mean, his attentions being
apparently to make it appear that the
relationship was more like that OF rather
and child than of lovers. The lady quick
ly disabused the attorneys mind, and left
on record very clear impression as 10
how she interpreted Mr.. Nicholl's attitude
and words.
Mr.. Nichon wrote to Miss Hodge quite
a long letter, and it contains evidence
that there was promise of marriage and
that it had string to It, MI Nlfnol enc a IN
were to be married If my daughters did
not object to having new mamma. Now
they have objected. and, of course as you
say, the marriage is all off, and l hope
our friendly relations will be the same as
they ever were.
Since the suit commenced minister
has entered on the scene. Rev. DR.. Curry
of the Temescal Presbyterian Church, who
used to be the pastor of church for
merly attended by the Nicholl family,
called on Miss Hodge to make pastoral
visit Miss Hodge was rather surprised
and does not quite understand why min
lister who is not her pastor should come
to talk to her about her love affair Dr.
Curry expatiated to Miss Hodge about
the beautiful spirit shown by the Savior
when he forgave his enemies and how
noble il was to forgive our enemies. He
referred to the trouble lin the family
which had been brought about, as he in
timated. by Miss Hodge. When he got
thus far the lady took issue with her
reverend visitor and told him that she
had no enemies; that Mr.. Nicholl and his
daughters had never asked her to forgive
them. and wound up by telling Rev DR..
Curry that the Nicholl family had brought
about all the trouble by denying her en-
gagement with John Nicholl and by rush
ing after the reporters and giving the de-
tails of the incident in the newspapers.
Miss Hodge says that she supposed DR..
Curry called on her in a religious way,
but She is strongly of the opinion that
there was also another motive to his visit.
She declares, however, that she resented
the fnterferences of any third party ex-
cept attorneys between her and Mr..
Nicholl and that the minister went away
without obtaining from her any inside
secrets relating to her dealings with Mr..
Nicholl.
Miss Jane Hodge is very anxious for
the trial to be commenced She says she
would not have brought such action ex-
cept for the purpose of establishing her
character. Several times hints have been
thrown out, she declares. by the Nicholl
family that she is somewhat of an ad-
ventures or else losing her reason. These
insinuations she Indignantly resents and
refers to the fact that she has been known
to the Nicholl family for forty years and
that therefore there can be no foundation
for the suggestion that she is either a
Schemer crazy.
The completed deposition will be read
over by Miss Hodge and signed next
"Wednesday