The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-07-16
WILL SAVE HIS CASH.
M'TIGHE BELIEVES MARRIAGE
CHEAPER THAN LAYING.
So He Decides to Settle the Breach of
Promise Suit BY Walking Up to
the Altar With Lady Who Started
Action to Recover Ten Thousand
Dollars; What the Defendant Says;
Cupid Has His Own Way.
From Saturdays Daily.


Patrick McTighe was served yester-
day with papers in an action brought
against him by Miss Martha Harper
of this city to recover $4,000 damages
for alleged breach of promise to marry.
Miss Harper's attorneys are A. r.
Pfau, Jr., and c. j. Laurisch, She is
a resident of Mankato, and is well
connected and holds a good position in
large store, owned by her brother
in-law.
Mr.. McTighe appeared in happy
frame of mind today when asked
about the suit. He did not deny max
ing a promise to Miss Harper, but
said that it was done jokingly.
Thought 1t Joke.
Il was in t. j. Lappin's store one
day about year ago." he said, "and
lady of about my age came up to
me and shook me by the hand and
seemed very friendly. l had never
seen her before, but the young lady
clerks gathered around and we passed
some remarks, and the clerks suggest
ed that we would make nice match.
told Miss Harper that l was ready
to marry her any time. Of course,
this was done in carrying on the joke.
Quite while ago / met the lady
on the street and she asked me what
/ was going to do. l asked her what
she meant, and she recalled the talk
about marrying her. told her that
had intended it for q joke, but she
did not see it that way. 1 then ex-
planned to her that / was in no shape
to be married, being too old and un-
der doctors care.
Served With the Papers.
THE first thing l knew | was serv-
ed with papers yesterday in suit for
$4,000 for breach of promise. l do
not deny having made the promise,
but it was done as a joke. 1 am and
have been ever since then under
the care of one and two doctors, and
am not in good health and ought not
to get married. Miss Harper is an
elderly spinster, of good reputation,
and have no objection to her.
Ready to Marry Miss Harper.
u have today instructed s. b. Will
son to write Miss Harper that | am
ready to marry her. 1t is up to her
to come up now and make good. /
am ready. If she wants to marry me
L will be there. 1t seems to be a
question of marrying her or parting
with $4,000, and between that choice
l will choose the marrying. Still, 1
doubt whether she could collect any
thing in lawsuit, as it was all
Joke. | never waited on her, or took
her to the theatre, or bought her ice
cream sodas, or did any courting."
Mr.. McTighe is retired farmer. well
along in years, and is widower. He
makes his home with his daughter.
Mrs. Mary OToole, 3l9 East Main
street. He is the man from whom
the late H. j. Ledbeter purchased the
farm north of the city where he was
SO cruelty murdered last May or S.
VIII Marry in Month.
When the reporter went to Mr.. lap
hams store to see Miss Harper, he
found Mr. McTighe there. The two
had made reconciliation, and Miss
Harper announced that their wedding
would occur some time next week.
Mr.. McTighe did not want it to take
place for a month or more, as he said
he wished time to prepare a home
for his bride. Miss Harper stated
that the suit would not be withdrawn
at once, and intimated that it might
not be withdrawn until the nuptials
had actually taken place. Evidently
she did not place any too much con.
fidence in McTighe's promise.
No Joke Now, Says Pat.
Mr.. McTighe was asked whether he
still considered the matter as a Joke
and said quickly: ooh, this is no
Joke. wasn't quite ready to marry
the lady, and she got little inn.
patient, and the whole thing was
misunderstanding. 1 always intended
TO marry her, and 1 only wish T had
her education. But she knows what
am, and ought not to have any kick
coming If l am not up to her anti.
cipations.
Yes, | expect to make a home for
her on the farm. She can feed the
chickens and we will do well and live
happily together"
Attached to Farm Life.
Miss Harper expressed herself as
neing very much attached to farm
lie. She is at present cashier of the
store, and has been for several vears
The many friends of both will he
very glad to learn that the whole
'hng was due to a misunderstanding,
and that this has been cleared up and
tne parties are to be happily mated.