Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-11
DANIELSON AND PUTNAM NEWS
PUTNAM

Mary Longo Sues Leo Peters, Form
 erIy of Norwich, For Breach of Prom.
 ise-cooIness Started When Mary
 Made Fun of Leo,s New Mustaehe-1
 Decision in Franklin Benner Case
 -.Winders at Silk Mills Soon End
 Strike.
 The case of Miss Mary Longo, 2c, of Danielson, vs. Leo Peters. 29, of Moos- up, an action for breach of promise, oc- cupied the entire day in the superior court before a jury here wednesday, Judge M. A. Shumway presiding. The plaintiff a represented by Attorneys Harry E. Back and Charles E. Searls, the defendant, who is a section boss for Perkins, Norwich. Miss Longo seeks to recover dama ges of S1.000.
 Called to the stand the first witt ness, Miss Longo testified that Peters marry her and that she haS prepared for the wedding, going so far as to give up her employment, had bought her trousseau at a cost of about $50 and with her fiance had gone to Moos- up and inspected apartments with a view to hiring one for their home.
 During her acquaintance with Pe- ters, which dated from 1909, when she was girl of IS. Miss Longo told ofzthe different occasions upon which Peters had talked with her of marriage. how the matter had been taken up with her parents and how the mother had sug- until Miss Longo should be old enou el1 to marry To this Peters agreed, the witness said, and he continued to call upon her nightly for period Of two years. At the time he was employed as a day laborer. He could read and write the Italian language but could not read and write English. Miss Bongo testified, and being anxious for i,.,- t,f- ,l1s4 a better position she had diligently taught him English night after night until he became quite proficient. Lit tie copy books that were uted during these study periods were introduced in evidence.
 Sent 1000 Kisses.
 That Peters was an apt pupil was demonstrated a little later in the trial when some of his letters to Miss Longo were read. These missives in- cluded endearing terms and prcfes- sions of love and one. written from Italy while Peters was on a visit to his parents, in 1911, contained the line: T swore to be yours and, if I don't 900 kisses. "Your sincere lover" pre- ceded his signature in another letter.
 Employed in Norwich.
 When she first knew Peters. tho wit ness testified he was living with his brother, Michael, in Danielson. Later he>had left Danielson and was em- pl0Eed in Norwich and Jewett City and at Moosup and Washington, R. l. He came to call only on Sundays. or every other Sunday while at Norwich.
 Talked of Marriage.<
 At different times they talked of marriage. Miss Longo said she had accepted Peters proposals of marriage and further stated that there were no quarrels or misunderstanding between fbny,7 Thnxy oI0ov rra1 rrif oo1. Christmas time and on birthday anni- versaries and she displayed two sets of furs. a watch. bracelet and rings in cluding one diamond. that Peters had given her.
 A Good Witness.
 Miss Longo proved an alert and very capable witness, uncommonly so, tell ing her story in straightforward man. ner and with great clearness.
 She stated that she had been willing to marry Peters and that she had cared a great deal for him. It was later brought out that she remained at home three months after her friendship came to an end with Peters. being diffident about appearing out, realizing that her friends knew of the broken engage ment.
 Lover Remained Away.
 Upon cross-e examination by Attorney Allyn l.. Brown, Miss Longo declared that she never had quarreIed with Pe-
 
 a surprise and a shock. He had re- mained away from her home for sev- eral weeks and when her mother had gone to Moosup and talked witt. him, he told Mrs. Longo that he wanted no more to do with her daughter. A let ter was introduced, which she had written to Peters. asking if what he had told her mother was a joke. but he had taken the letter and written on the back of it that it was no joke, l mailing the missive back to her. This was early in April last year. their marriage day having been set for just after Easter, 1916. Institution of the suit followed.
 The Mustache Episode.
 MT. Brown inquired if Miss Longo upon the occasion of a visit of Pe- ters to her home about a year ago, had not made fun of mustache he was growing, much to his discontinue. for other young ladies were present. Miss Longo said that there was some ban ter about it. but she did not consider the matter serious and later decided that if Leo wished such adornmeHt she would not object. The mustache came in for further mention during the days proceedings and was the cause of some amusement, the defendant contributing a wide smile. Miss Longo denied that she had treated Peters coo1ly after the mustache episode or that there was any, even the slightest arrangement, on her part at any time.
 The defence in the case is that the argument to marry was mutually abro- 1 gated, on or about March 1, 1916.
 Apartment Had Been Hired.
 After the noon recess MT. and Mrs. w. w. Rood, Moosup, testified about negotiations that they had. in Janu- ary, 1916. relative to letting a tene- ment in that place, with Miss LoEgo, l her mother and MT. Peters, at different times. An agreement had been made, | the tenement given attention as to re- pairs and brightening up and was ready | for the young couple when Peters came | one night, Mrs. Rood testified, and | said that the place would not be want ed. as Miss Longo wished to remain | with her mother in Danie1son for the | winter.
 Plaintiffs Mother Testifies.
 Mrs. Annie Longo, mother of the | plaintiff was the next witness. She | corroborated points in her daughters | testimony as. so talks about marriage. l hn11Sa hirincr ich iuor ofo o SIa ga 1