Los Angeles herald., 1905-04-10
COULD NOT STOP CRYING
Amusing Breach of Promise Suit In
an Irish Court Room


The love letters of an Irish constable
kept the Longford county court in
roars of laughter the other day, when
their author was sued for breach of
promise. The judge, scenting amuse-
ment at the outset, cheerily remarked
that the case would probably be a
pleasant change after long day of dull
litigation. His forecast was correct.
Though he cried when he left her
and did not know when he was going to
stop, Constable Patrick Grealish, for
merly of the County Longford force,
and now stationed in County Mayo
did not marry Miss Agnes Tanning, n
dressmaker, but chose some one else.
Consequently Miss Tanning sought
$500 damages. She was awarded 265
The couple became engaged in Octo-
ber, 1902, Grealish being then at Long
ford and Miss Tanning living with her
brother, who kept a public house oppo-
site the barracks. When he had moth
ing else to do Grealish, according to
Miss Fanning's counsel, says the Irish
Independent, spent his time in the pub
lie house making love to Miss Tanning.
Then he was transferred to Drumlish,
and love letters poured upon Miss
Tanning by the shoal.
But his affections changed. The first
intimation Miss Tanning had of the
change was dramatic. She heard that
her lover had married some one else.
Counsel was armed with a large
bundle of the love letters. The follow
ing are extracts:
ut is needless to mention to you, my
Agnes, L am heart broken in this place
Orumlish). I arrived here quite safe
about 5 p. m. l must mention, Agnes,
that cried the whole way out. Gaugh-
ter.) You know, Agnes, 1 could live in
a wilderness and be happy as long as
could have you with me. But, dearest,
it's something desperate on me to be
separated from you. However, it's not
long, darling, we shall be apart, al
though, darling, while 1 am writing this
letter 1 am crying as much as when
parting from you yesterday. I don't
know when I am going to stop. Not,
suppose, until you are with me.
"Well, darling, they are all glad to
see me in Drumlish. Mrs. Burbage
went so far as to kiss me on my arrival
last night Oaughter.) But that was
not to be wondered at, as we are from
the same townland and went to school
together.
ALSO Father Keville. When he met
me he stretched me out his two hands,
and the next thing he says to me: You
must give me half sovereign toward
the building of the new chapel cloud
laughter).
81 am sure l must have been noticed
when leaving you yesterday. 1 mean
my crying, dearest. 1 was more or
less ashamed, darling, but could not
help it,"
The next letter was a model of brief
ness. Just a few lines" 1t ran; II
am in very bad form for writing, as
my hand is shaky." He added, how
ever, Love to death" and three
crosses.
Subsequently he was in better form,
though still lonesome"
1T makes me very lonely to see all
the market people going to Longford
today, and your own Grealish in hut
In Drumlish. Well. my dearest Agnes,
there is one matter now which / must
mention to you, though, darling, at
the same time 1t makes me blush to
have to admit 1t. That is our mar
riage, which is to come off before Ad-
vent.
II by myself am not in a position to
carry out the wish of my heart-that
Is, to be married this month. But,
darling, it would be the wish of my
heart that we could be married before
Advent comes in. So now, Agnes, darl-
ing, l suppose at the very lowest 1t
will take about e1O TO attain that OBJ
ject; SO. dearest, let me know by re-
turn If you win be able to give me