AMUSING BREACH OF PROMISE CASE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1807, 25 October 1888, Page 3

AMUSING BREACH OF PROMISE CASE.

The record was closed on August Ist in Glasgow Sheriff Court in an amusing breach of promise case, in which a young lady of 24 years, named Maggie Dochead Watson, Buceleuch street, sues William Kirkland, warehouseman, West Graham-street, also aged 24, for £SOO. The parties became engaged three yearsjago, and the pursuer avers that by her society and influence she was the means of elevating defender socially and advancing him in his worldly prospects. This he admitted in his correspondence. In a letter to her mother he wrotelt is to her (Maggie), as God’s agent, that I owe my present position, if not more. 1 feel that at present it is me who is getting all the good, and Maggie who is giving it; but I am taking it on loan, and will pay it back with interest.” Writing to herself, be said, “ I know what it is, darling, to have the love of one of the best of women. But for you, dearest, my life would have been a failure —‘ One vast and dreary wilderness the world to me.’ ” In another letter he used the following “ Darling, don’t you think lam not the lad for you, always making great resolutions and as often falling through them? My darling, you will help me. I must have communication with you once a day.” Pursuer maintains that it was a condition of her accepting defender that he should abandon smoking and continue, as he was then, a teetotaller. She noticed in the spring of this year, however, that he appeared to be indulging in cigars, and at the same time' his visits were less frequent. Alarmed at suoh a declension, she made an ‘ earnest appeal to him in a long letter, and lectured him on the formation of bad habits. In the course of that letter she said: “You seem to put my happiness on a level with a cigar; now youmustchosebetween meacigar.” In reply, he wrote; “I do not intend giving up smoking; perhaps if we meet when we are both older the breach may be stepped over, but meantime I can only submit to separation. There is just a little too much coercion in your letter, and I wont be coerced.” In his defence, Kirkland denies that there was any condition about smoking and drinking. He promised not to smoke in her company, but that was out of consideration for her family and regard for the purity and sweetness of the kisses he and Maggie would exchange. As she gave him an opportunity to exercise his choice, he claims to be absolved from the conclusion of the action.