SUING A SERVANT GIRL FOR BREACH OF PROMISE.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 21, 19 August 1893, Page 10

SUING A SERVANT GIRL FOR BREACH OF PROMISE.

The Glasgow Herald of 24th June reports that the Second Division of the Court of Session heard an appeal from the Haddington Sheriff Court in an action by William Lennie, mason, Edinburgh, against Isabella Burnside, domestic servant, for £IOO damages for breach of promise of marriage. The pursuer is 35 years of age, and the defender 34. He stated that for two years he courted the defender with a view to marriage.

The marriage was fixed to take plac® in February, 1892, and in view thereof he took a house in Edinburgh and furnished it. On the Bth February he received from defender the following letter ; “ Dear William, —I have been thinking very seriously, and have come to the conclusion that all must be at an end between us. Ido not think you will be surprised, for you must have seen by my manner that I did not cai’e for you. It is a pity I did not arrive at this conclusion sooner, but it cannot be helped now. — Tours, I. B.”

The pursuer says hex’ conduct was cruel and heartless, and he had been much hurt and wounded in his feelings. In order to avoid litigation, he offered to take £lO 16s id, the amount of his loss on the house and furniture and his legal expenses. The defender explained that she broke off the marriage because she discovered the pursuer was addicted to drink. She offcast the £lO 16s Id demanded, but refused to pay expenses. Sheriff Substitute Sherriff found that the defendant was justified in refusing to carry out her engagement and assoilzied her with expenses.