THE FIRST LODGER LOVE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10425, 24 April 1897, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE FIRST LODGER LOVE.

A YOUNG LADY'S NINE CONDITIONS. At tlio London Sheriff's Court, a fewdays ago, before .Mr. Under-sheriff Bureholland a jury, Miss Ellen Williams, a schoolmistress, of 4, Colobrooko Row, Islington, sued Robert Alexander Connor, a clerk in the Claims Department, Somerset House, claiming £250 damages for broach of promise to marry. Tho case had been remitted from the High Court for tho assessment of damage*.

Mr. Frank Mellor, counsel for plaintiff, in opening the ease, said she was a church schoolmistress at a salary of £51) per annum ; but, in consequence of the publicity given to tho breach of promise by defendant, ehe had had notice to leave. Defendant said that he had a position worth £80 to £100 per year, and mado £20 per annum overtimo. In consequence of the death of her father, Miss Williams and her mother set up a boarding-house in Barnsbury, and defendant was the first lodger. He soon became aware that plaintiff and her mother were good, honest, and religious people, and he appoared to have traded on the fact. He told plaintiff that he was a noil-smoker, a Sunday-school teacher, and a church worker. On account of his statements, defendant, being such a model young man, was received more as a friend than a boarder, and shared the front sitting-room with plaintiff and her mother. Both parties were studying for civil service examinations, and used to do so togethor, and this gave defendant opportunities to sham faintings in order that plaintiff should administer smellingsalts and bathe his forehead. (Laughter.) In April, 1891, the engagement took placo. Although defendant was at that time only 18 'years of age, his personal appearance was that of a man some years older, and it was only alter the engagement that plaintiff became aware of his real age. But defendant frequently promised to marry plaintiff after lie beoatne of age in 1895. Having passed his examination, defendant insisted on the engagement being kept secrot. In the summer of 1895 he went to visit his father, who was a schoolmaster in the North of Ireland. Plaintiff knew tliab defendant; had written a young lady there some poetry. On hit return his manner changed, and plaintiff became ill and was unable to attend to her duties for some months. After various quarrels, it was finally arranged that the marriage should take place at Chingford. About a mouth before the date fixed for the wedding the defendant tried to get out of his contraob. While on a journey to Scotland defendant wrote to plaintiff as follows

My dear Nellie,—After a lonely, miserable journey of seven hours, we have at length arrived at Carlisle. I am feeling very tired just now, bur, I have been able to manage a cup of hot coffee. Although I was not in a smoking carriage, there were four or five gentlemen smoking all the way, and one fellow, a man about my own age, actually offered me a drink out of a beer bottle. (Loud laughter.) Needless to say, I did not accept it. (Renewed laughter.) ... By far the happiest part of my life lias been spent with you, and I hope and trust that that happy experience will be doubly repeated. Oh I if 1 could only make my mind easy that you would not change. (Laughter.) I. cannot change, dear, I love you too muoh for that. I must draw to a close now, darling, as we are going to start again,—Yours affectionately, Robert A. Connor. P.S.—I am writing this on the railway platform.

On November 26 t' writ was issued, but shortly after that intiff mob the defendant at Exeter <1. Site asked him whother ho would fulfil his promise, and he said he v. go home and pray about it. (L# " i Ultimately plaintiff had no op' ■ . to bring the action. Subsequently . amenta took place, and defendant ' " My dear Nellie, —I am afraid I ay love for you would better bo do .bed as friendship than love," and fur er said that ho alone was to blame for b juicing off the engagement. Then later he wrote promising to marry plaintiff in March, provided they did not meet in the meantime. But on October 23, 1898, he wrote "Dear Miss Williams, —It is no use prolonging the agony further." (Loud laughter.) The , plaintiff, in ' cross-examination, admitted that she wrote defendant the following letter, asking hjm to sign it, and return the same. The letter ran;—"l. I do not like any young lady in tho least. 2. I promise never to call at the. house of any lady friends, pr to walk with them, or by word, deed, or look to show that 1 desire their company. 3. I promise the first time that I am inclined to feel affection for any girl to break with you at oiioe. 4. I may be engaged to you at 21 and married at 23, or as soon after as possible, 5. I pr imi?e not to make my brothers and others think that I am inclined towards any girl by talking about her when there is nothing in it, 6. I will make no more jokes with yon, especially about girls and their looks, or laugh at or tease you, or threaten ' to strike or in any way try to intimidate you.';', 7.',' I will endeavour to be honourable and 5 manly, and, above *11, make it my study to apeak and act the truth. 8.1 vilify to cultivate

gentleness. 9. I will go with you every Wednesday to St. Silas', provided you attend every Sunday St. Saviour's. Further cross examined, witness said that defendant "took her on his knee and implored her to pray for him." (Laughter.) The jury awarded plaintiff damages £20.