A TRANSPARENT NATURE.

Evening Star, Issue 3501, 13 May 1874, Page 3

A TRANSPARENT NATURE.

A Court has been held at the Great Western Hotel, Birmingham, by Mr K. C. Heath, under sheriff of Warwickshire, to assess damages in au a.tiou for breach o! promise of marriage, in which judgment went by'default in the Court of Exchequer in December last. The plaintiff, Annie Hickman, is aged twenty-two, and is the daughter of John Hickman, watch - case manufacturer, Coventry ; and the defendant, John Linnett jun., twenty-three, is the son of a draper in the same city, Mr Kosher, barrister, appeared for the plaintiff, and the defendant appeared personally. Mr Kosher said the parties met in December, 1871, at a ball at the house of a friend. The defendant obtained permission to see the plaintiff homo, and an attachment subsequently sprang up between them Defendant called to see the plaintiff nearly every Sunday and stayed ’ o dinner. The courtship continued, until defendant promised to marry the plaintiff on Christmas Day, 1872. In February of that year he sent her a valentine, in which was written :

Maiden, wherefore thus complaining ? lis unjust. I love not paining Thee, nor any other beauty ; To each and all-1 do my duty. To praise or blame I’m always ready, Fearless, faithful, honest, steady. To tell the truth to every creature Is part of my transparent nature. (Loud laughter.) As the time approached for the wedding the defendant furnished a house completely, and he even stocked the cellar with coal. The banns were published, and everything got ready for the ceremony. At last the defendant asked the plaintiff what the “ old gentleman” was going to do about money matters. She replied that she did not know, and that he had better ask tne “old gentleman.”—(Laughter.) 'lhe defendant’s father afterwards told the plaintiff that his son was too young to marry and the wedding was put off until March in the following year. Defendant did not then fulfil his promise, but was seen ‘ walking out with other ladies.” In December, 1872, the defendant wrote • —“ My dear Ann,—This letter is bathed with tears of the deepest bitterness in this time, which should have been my hapP^ hey (his parents) are very pleased that you have met, or rather complied with, my wishes, but they are not willing to give you aN. H. (note of hand). I can’t possibly see yon to-night. Should have written before, but have been busy. Please excuse more from the most unhappy man in existence.— Yours truly, John Linnett. P.S. 1 have a very severe cold, and an aching heart.” The plaintiff was much affected in giving evidence, and she several times fainted. The defence was that the defendant was employed by bis father, at a salary of LSO per annum with board. The jury awarded the plaintiff L 250 damages.