BREACH OF PROMISE

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 May 1925, Page 8

BREACH OF PROMISE

WOMAN’S TWO ENGAGEMENTS.

Cupid was in a fickle mood in the love affairs of a middle-aged woman who sued for breach of promise in a London Court recently. According to her story, this is what happened to her in four months :—Received proposal of marriage; two days later, at 2 o’clock in the morning, a note was pushed under her dooi 1 cancelling the proposal; given £lOO the same day in proof of regret; two months later received second proposal from the same man; wedding arrangements cancelled day before marriage. The action was brought by Miss Annie Gertrude Braine, aged 43, of Whetstone, Middlesex, agaipst Mr. Jesse Dixon, aged 54, an excise official, of Barnes. Miss Braine claimed £BO damages. Mr. D. White, for Miss Braine, said that Mr Dixon went as a boarder to Miss Braine in November,’ 1923. On December 6 he gave her a letter which read :—“For years I have been looking for a lovable little lady like yourself, so pray forgive me for saying that I would like to marry you in the spring. Believe me, yours very sincerely, Jesse Dixon.” Miss, Braine showed the letter to a friend ,and there was great jubilation. Two days later Mr. Dixon passed a letter under the door of Miss Braine’si friend. It was addressed to Miss Braine, and ran:—“2.ls a.m. Dear. Miss Braine, —I am exceedingly sad at being compelled to write this letter. Before I proposed marriage to you I was happy, but ever since I have felt very unhappy and depressed. I have made a mistake. . . so forgive me for making you unhappy. I seem to be so constituted that I cannot get beyond the stage of friendship, so let me remain your own true friend-” Mr. White said that the same day Mr. Dixon promised and later gave Miss Braine £lOO as proof of his regret. He left the house, but returned later, and Miss Braine consented to him living there again. . . 1 In 'the following January Mr Dixon again proposed, this time verbally, and was, accepted. He spent 15 guineas on an engagement ring, and the marriage was fixed for March 19. Mr. Dixon had Miss Braine’s house done up, in spite of her remonstrances, and paid altogether about £lOO. He wrote to Mr. Henderson, a friend, continued Mr. White, asking him to arrange the wedding and the reception. An organist was engaged, the wedding breakfast was ordered, the ring was bought, and Mr. Henderson was asked to propose “the only toast at the reception, the health and happiness of the bride and bridegroom.” The night before the wedding Mr. Dixon said he was going out to see some friends. Miss Braine asked him not to do so, but, declared Mr. White, Mr. Dixon banged his hand on the table, declared that she should not bo Mrs. Dixon, walked out of the room, and never returned. In the meantime Mr Henderson had received a telegram from Mr. Dixon cancelling the wedding arrangements. Miss Braine said it was untrue that she broke off the engagement. In reply to Mr. Morle, for Mr. Dixon, witness said she did not tell Mr. Dixon a firm was selling off engagement rings, and suggest that he should buy one. Mr. Morle: Did you tell him that there was another man in love with you ? Witness: I told him a young sailor had been in love with me, but that was 15 years ago. Dlr. Dixon said that when he broke off the first engagement Miss Braine threatened proceedings. As he knew -he was in debt he gave her £lOO. Mi-. White asked: When you broke off the first engagement why did you not tell the lady instead of writing to her ?

Witness: She was deaf, and I did not want to shout it all over the house, (Laughter.} On the second occasion did you propose to the lady? Witness: No, she proposed to me. It was Leap Year. (Laughter.) Damages to the amount of £35, with costs, were awarded to plaintiff.