The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1912-12-20
A Lawyers Proposal.

his possession the original copy of a
UNIQUE document which he prizes high
" It is a lawyers proposal to a
voung woman of whom the writer had
become enamored. The proposal was
successful, despite its lack of senti-
ment and the couple were married
some thirty years ago. The original
document is here reprinted, the names
alone being changed.
To Ann Bright, of Blank, in the
county of Blank. Spinster, daughter
OF Edward Bright, OF the same place.
Gentleman, and Of Mary, his wife
Madame {:
Whereas, I. the undersigned, John
Smith, am bachelor of the age of %
years and upward now last past, i'm
practice as an attorney and practi-
toner at law; and,
Whereas, The net annual income
and emoluments arising from the
practice of my said profession amount
TO the sum OF $500 and upward, and
In addition thereto / am possessed of
or otherwise entitled to real and per-
sonal property producing a further
net income of $1,000 or whereabouts,
making, together with the aforesaid
professional income, q total OF $1,000,
or thereabouts; and,
Whereas, Having regard to the sew
eral facts heretofore recited, I, the said
John Smith, am in a position to main
tain and keep wife, and am de-
sirous to enter the holy state of mat
rimony; and,
Whereas, On divers reasons and In
divers places l have observed the
manner, behavior and demeanor of
you, the said Ann Bright, and I have
further made or caused to be made
sundry inquiries and investigations
concerning the character, disposition,
propensites, habits, tastes, likes and
dislikes Of you, the said Ann Bright,
and have hereby and by other sufi-
cient means duly satisfied myself that
you, the said Ann Bright, are in all
respects a fit and proper person to
become the wife of me, the said John
Smith; and,
Whereas, After due and mature de-
liberation, t have determined to make
unto you the offer hereinafter ex-
pressed;
Now, in the pursuance of such de
termination, and for divers good caus-
es me hereunto moving, /, the said
John Smith, do hereby irrevocably
(but subject, nevertheless, to the stip-
ulation contained in the final clause
hereof offer and tender unto you
the said Ann Bright, all that and those
my heart, hand, body and soul, mind
understanding and affections, to be
held by you to the use Of you, the said
Ann Bright, for and during the term
Of your natural life in case you shall
predecease me, or for and during our
Joint lives in case L shall predecease
you
And | hereby promise and declare
that in the event OF you, the said Ann
Bright, intimating to me in writing
or otherwise within the space OF
seven days next after the date upon
which this letter shall be served upon
you or left for you nv your last known
abode, your acceptance Of the offer
hereby made as aforesaid, will with
LII a reasonable period thereafter i'm
termarry with you, the said Ann
Bright at such church or In such 9TH
er building as you may select for that
purpose, and will at all times there
AFTER during our joint lives, at my
own expense, in all things maintain
ana Keep you, the said Ann Bright, as
my lawful wife.
provided always, and the offer here
Dy made as aforesaid is upon the ex-
press condition that liz you, the said
ann Bright, shall not within the space
VI seven days after the service or de-
nVery OF this letter as aforesaid init.
mate by writing, or otherwise, your
acceptance of the said offer, the same
oHer shall thereupon be absolutely
nun and void, anything herein con-
ained to the contrary Notwithstanding
IN witness whereof 7 hereunto sci
my nand, designating myself as your
humble servant.
JOHN SMITH