A CHRISTMAS CONTRACT.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1922, Page 3 (Supplement)

A CHRISTMAS CONTRACT.

LAWYERS AND LAWYERESS. The young lawyerees was regaling her intellect with “the rule in Shelley’s case” on Christmas morning when the young lawyer who secretly yearned to practise law and matrimony with her till dead did them part was ushered into her presence. “Merry Christmas, Miss Angell Oncarriers,- ’ he said, cheerily, but it was evident that he jpas agitated. “The said Merry Christmas to you also, Mr. Addison On torts,”, the young lawyeress responded, a blush suffusing her cheeks. “I have a contract here that I would like to have you sign,” the young lawyer went on, hurriedly, handing her the legal instrument as he spoke. “You see I have already affixed my signature thereto.” “‘This agreement,’” she began reading aloud. “ ‘made this 25th day of December, 186-,* by find, between Miss Angell Oncarriers, of New York, party of the first part, and \lr. Addison On torts, of the same place, party of the second part, witnesseth, that for and in consideration of the benefits to be secured and I the happiness to be enjoyed, each of the parties hereto hath contracted and agreed, and by these presents doth contract and agree, to give himself or herself to the other party as a Christmas gift, and to form a legal and matrimonial partnership within one month of the date of this instrument. “ ‘ln witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals the day and year above written. . [seal] “‘Witnessed by . Addison Ontorts.’ [seal] “But suppose the party of the first part declines to sign?” the young lawyeress cried, blushing furiously. “Then and in that event,” said the trembling young lawyer, producing a legal document with a flourish, “the party of the second part hereby and herewith serves upon the party of the first part a mandamus compelling the said first party to sign or be in contempt of cowting.” “But suppose the party of the first part contemplates making another legal and matrimonial partnership?” the Aoung lawyeress persisted, with a very immaterial and irrelevant yet bewitching smile. I “I have here an injunction restraining ; the party of the first part from any I »uch procedure,” said the young lawyer, serving another document as he spoke. At this juncture, while the young j lawyeress was wondering what she j should do next, the young lawyer, utI terly ignoring the Code of Civil Procedure and the Rules of Practice, gave her a dozen Christmas kisses.

“Know all men by. these presents,” she murmured. “Heaven forbid!” said he. For a moment the young lawyeress looked for all the world as though she would not be able to “get out of court alive,” as her professional brethren are wont to say, but finally she objected, and the young lawyer took exceptions of course. “If the court please,” she finally murmured, “the party of the first part is well aware that she could bring ejectment proceedings to oust the party of the second part from her heart, but—but—she moves, instead, that the matter be referred.” And it was referred—to a minister. —EARLE HOOKER EATON.