Quest for a Wife.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7889, 3 August 1905, Page 4

Quest for a Wife.

STRANGE STORY OF A BRIDE AS A LEGACY. | When farmer John Wren lay dying at Cooicar, County Longford, he bequeathed his comfortabte farm in an unusual maimer. Hp was childless, and he Killed thai on his widow'?, death the farm should go to Patrick MacCarthy -under (he wrote) that within one year after my death he contract marriage, awl come to live in ny house at Cooicar, with Rose Anne Reilly, daughter of Philip Reilly, of Toncygardeu." Wren and his wife died within a short wlhle of each other last year, and Pa-trick Mat-Car thy proceeded to carry out the trust reposed in him. There were difficulties in the way, for Hiss JlfiUy had gone to America. Three times Patrick MacCarthy voyaged acrcss the Atlantic to ask her to marry him and so fulfil the terms of their benefactor's will But each time Miss Reilly declined, and Patrick had finally to return to the home at Cooicar without a wife. The question of the ownership of the farm now arose, as old Wren lajd it down that it should go to Miss Reilly's .brothel if the marriage did not take place. The Irish Master of tie Rolls, however, has laid it down that, as Patrick MacCarthy did all in bis power to fulfil the conditions of the will by going to America after the bride named for him, bf was noi 10 blame because the marriage did not tako place. The interesting legal decision then is that the farm remains the property of MacCarthy, and be can now mstal a bride of his own choice in Coolear.