Amusing Breach of Promise Case.

Bruce Herald, Volume IX, Issue 807, 30 May 1876, Page 7

Amusing Breach of Promise Case.

Evidence was beard lately before Lord Curriehill and a jury, in an action at the instance of Eliza Jemima Pateman, daughter of the late K. W. Pateman, at present residing at Cambridge, against John Watson, son of a dry-salter, Springback, Cralashiels. The conclusions of the

action are for £1000 in name of damages, because of an alleged breach of promise to marry oil the part of the defender. The pursuer was first hand milliner and saleswoman in the shop of Messrs Combat and Co., Galaehiels, in 1874, and it was then that the defender began to pay his addresses to her. In February last he made her a formal offer of marriage, which she accepted. The promise was made both verbally and in writing. bhe left Galashiels in March last, and subsequently proceeded to Teovil, in Somersetshire, where she was engaged as a milliner. At the outset he frequently corresponded with her there ; but in June the letter?, though not the less ardent in their terms, were less numerous. About the middle of July last Hhe got a letter from him beginning "Miss Pateman," and asking for return of his letters in exchange for hers, which he transmitted by the same post, and stating that he had been warned by his father to return the correspondence. Again, in September, he intimated to her, in a letter commencing " Madam," that their " little courtship " was "at an end." He concluded this letter as follows :— " I shall thank you for a reply by Wednesday next, otherwise I must go to a lawyer and ask him to deal with jou." Shortly afterwards a lawyer did write to her to obtain possession of the correspondence, but without effect. Through this breach on the part of the defender, the pursuer says she has suffered so much in her health, feelings, and reputation that she has been compelled to give up her situation in Yeovil and return to her. mother's house in Cambridge. The only defence was that he intimated his willingness to marry her after the promise had been broken. To this it ' was answered that the second offer was not honest and sincere, and she was perfectly entitled to refuse it. At the close of the evidence, Mr Darling read the following letters to the jury : — "March 5 th, IS75.— My Dearest Minun, — You will have to excuse this note as am very busy this morning know you will do so there's a Dear my Pretty Minna you know that I love you with all my heart and that in three or four or five yoara or when you like I will marry you my Pretty Minna. — Youvs till Death John Watsox." On Bth March he wrote : — " Dearest Love, — Have just had dinner, but no letter waiting for me from my darling Minna, hope I shall get one at six to-night (am sure I will) My Pretty Minna still think I am at Eyemouth will never forget the walks by the sea bhore, the Fort, cannon, our scat by the Flag staff and clasped -in each other's arms in pure and deepest love, deeper than can express, do not think now my Darling pretty Minna that my love for you shall ever grow loss no one on this earth could love you more or better, you have only to tell me "what I can do to please you if within my power I shall willingly do it. I could lay down my life for you don't thirk you could have anybody love you more as I told you at, the Cannon when I gave you the ling you got my heart and hand in marriage along -with it and when jtm accepted it I understood I got your heart and hand also and (hat wo were bound together as sacred as if we had been married tell me love if it is so, do quick. Now good-bye my Lovelly Pretty Darling Minna. Good-bye good-bye. Kiss me kiss me darling. — Yours for ever. " John. 15 On 2nd April thereafter the defender wrote to the pursuer: — " My Darling Pet, — Hope you will excuse me for not writing you last night was after seven or f got to Gala had tea at St Bosls. and supper when I got home and a smoke and thinking of my Darling Pet all the time. Oh you sweet Little Pet you are the Darling of my heart and will have (if God should spare us both) you all to myself some day wont we be a loving coiy>le. "What do you say Darling Minna or Minna wish I had you in my arms now but it cannot be. Tell mo all about Yeovil as soon as you can. If I could get a place of some kind or another there 1 would like always to be beside you send mo a a paper from there Darling think 1 have left my slippers. Now Darling Pet excuse this short note at present as I cannot think of anybody but Minna Paliiman send me your address Darling and remember I have promised to love unto Doath you cannot wish more can you Darling after you read this sing my hymn Onward Christian Soldiers and with the Fondest and Truest Love that ever was in, man I remain Your Loving Jonx. "Toll me if I am. Kind love to all wonder if the Crabbs should be roasted ask Miss Eliza." The next letter which was read was dated May 81, 1575, and was as follows: — "My Dnrling Minna. — Received your letter (his morning and am quite surprised I an. sure that 1 am not neglecting you dear it is an awful bother to me to write and darling you must not think I am forgetting you iv any way because you clout get a note from me every other day I will have to stop and got on with my work, You mu<t. get your Carte taken and send it to me soon Minna I never get to the 15. Church now, I have never written my sister yet. tell Miss Fleming to write you and give you the news. Now darling believe me T love you as much as ever, and will remain your loving Pet " John." Then on S'th Jane he wrote a letter, which contained his first intimation of his desire to break of the engagement. It is as follows : — " My Darling Minnn, — You will wonder why I hnvc Ivcn writing you so "little lately, the reason is I intend going abroad soon with two other young follows and in justice to j'ou 1 think it would be rash to keep on our engagement any longer, so if you return my letters I will return yours. Hoping to have an answer from you by first post I remain your, uft'ect. " Jon>\" The jury, after r,n absence of a few minutes, brought in a verdict for the pureuer, and assessed damages at £200.