Tiiey went to see the lawyer yesterday —Mary Ann and her mother. Mary Ann was a little embarrassed, but the old woman was calmness itself. When they spoke about a breach of promise, the lawyer said, " What evidence have you?" "Mary Ann, produce the letters," commanded the mother; and the girl took off the cover of a willow basket, and remarked that she thought nine hundred and twenty-seven letters would do to begin with ; the other six hundred and fifty-one would be produced as soon as the ease was fairly before the court, " And outside of these letters ?" queried the lawyer. " Mary Ann, produce your diary," said the mother. " Now turn to the heading of ' Promise,' and tell him how many times this marriage business was talked over." " The addition is two hundred and fourteen times," answered the girl. " Now turn to the heading of' Darling,' and give us the number of times he has applied that term to you." "If I have figured right, the total is nine thousand two hundred and lifty-four titnes." " I fancy you counted pretty correctly, for you are good in arithmetic. Now turn to the heading ' Woodbine-cottage,' and tell us how mauy times he has talked of such a home for you after marriage." "The addition is one thousand three hundred and ninetv-fivo times." " Very well. This gentleman wants to bp sure that we've a ease. How many times has Charles Henry said he would die for you?" "Three hundred and fifty," answered tho girl. " How many times has ho called you an angel?" "Over eleven thousand, mamma." " How about squeezing hands?" " Over three hundred and eighty-four thousand squeezes." " And kisses ?" " Nearly four hundred and seventy thousand," "And about reading poetry, singing duets, and taking moonlight walks together ?" " The numbers are on tho paper," said tho girl, handing a slip to the lawyer. " That's our caso," said the mother, as she deposited basket and diary on the lawyer's table. " Look over your documents, and if you want anything further I can bring a dozen neighbours to swear to facts. We sue for ten thousand pounds damages, and we'll call again next week. Goodday, sir."
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT18870129.2.31.4
Bibliographic details
Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 2271, 29 January 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)
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360Untitled Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 2271, 29 January 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)
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