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Show ENGAGEMENT RING CAN BE CALLED BACK. Our young women are not supposed to be well up in the law, and, therefore, there-fore, it may not be impertinent on our part to quote them a recent decision deci-sion in the federal courts In which a Judge orders an engagement ring wore by a young lady to be turned over to the creditors of the man who gave the diamond. The court declared that Cupid might weep, but Justice must prevail. Sarah Simon was given a diamond ring valued at $35-0 In Janu ary, 1912. About three months later the donor went into voluntary' bank ruptcy. Tho trustee In bankruptcy brought an action to recover the ring ,or its value. The court said: "The occasion was the announcement announce-ment of the bankrupt's engagement to marry the defendant, and thore was nothing unusual about tho fact that the gift was made or (considering (consider-ing the social position of the parties and the supposed financial condition of tho bankrupt) about the cost of the ring. The defendant gave no con slderatlon; the usual reciprocal promise prom-ise to marry had previously been exchanged, ex-changed, and the transaction was therefore voluntary Being insolvent, the law denied tho bankrupt the right within four months of hlB bankruptcy to take the $350 of what was practic ally the money of his creditors and make a present of It to the defendant. defend-ant. No one would contend that he could make such a use of actual cash, however Innocent the state of hlf mind might be; and the principle Is the same, even If the money assume the shape of an engagement ring. The actual result of what he did Is the Important test, and the actual result has been that Sarah Simon Is now en Joying the possession of money that was charged with a trust in favor ot the bankrupt's creditors. In view ot the customs thnt commonly govern the educt of betrothed persons there some sentimental hardships about the conclusion; but the legal principles referred to seem to Tree the question from doubt. After all. p. man must be Just before he Is gen erous; he should be generous with his own monoy, and not with tho money mon-ey of his creditors." The defendant was ordered to de liver the ring or its value. We are filled with sorrow for Sar ah. But now for the sequel. Win Sarah Simon continue to feel qbllga ted to marry? As a judge, we would be alow to tear from the fingers ot a girl a Jewel that, because of Its association, is priceless, if there was no evidence of collusion or a premeditated premedi-tated attempt to defraud the credit ors of the donor. - rtf |