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i! jBreach of Promise Proceedings…

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Breach of Promise Proceedings Against an Ex-Aberdare Doctor. 2,067 LOVE LETTERS-£500 DAMAGES. PATHETIC APPEAL. Aberdare medical men are becoming notor- ious for their fickleness in love, Only i1 few weeks ago Dr. Dornhurst was mulcted in heavy damages for a breach of promise, and now another doctor, who only left here last year, has been called upon to pay 1.;500 under s.rnHar circumstances. The following report and some of the ktters written by hUH from Aberda,r will doubtless interest many of those who knew him. At the Anglesey Sheriff's Court, on Friday. the jury were asked to assess damages in a breach of promise action against Dr, John Thomas Price. Llansawel, Landilo, Carmar- thenshire, the plaintiff being .li.s Owen, of Trefadog, Llantaerhlu, judgment having gone by default in the High Court. Mr. Eliis Jones Griffith, M.A. (instructed by Mr. Cyril O. Jones, B.A., Holyhead) appeared for plain- tiff, and Mr. 0. G, Morris, instructed by Mr. O. n. Edwa.rds, Holyhead, for defend- ant, who was absent. In stating the case to the jury, Mr. Ellis Jones Griffith said the piaintiff was a member of a well-known and I highiy.respected family in Anglesey. Defen- dant, whose home was at Penrorsedd. Llau- fa.cthlu. had taken the B.A. degree, and was D.M. of Trinity College. Dublin. and was now 33 years of age. The parties had known each othe-r since childhood, and on June 14, 1002, they became engaged. From that date I to the 3rd DecemiBr there was 6^ years' courtship on the most friend'y and loving terin-5. A great number of letters had passed (these covered a good part of the tabie)--to be precise there were 1,017 letters from Dr. Prioe, and 1,050 from Miss Owen. a grand total of 2,067. He was not going to read them (laughter). He calculated it would take about a 1CO hours at express speed— but would be content with giving a few eiamp'es. A fortnight after the engagement he wrote from Holyhead: I must tell you the same old thing all over agam tlîat I love you and my great object ia to make you love me more, if that ;s pos- siblo, so that finally nothing but death will separata us. I have made it a rule in life never to promise anything with full con- sideration of it first of ail, and then having promised never to break my word, cvon though I suffe- for it, so you can rest with your mind at ca?p that what I promised you shall never be broken, and knowing you, as I think I do, I think you are pretty ° much of the same disposition Write me a long letter and give me full .insurance that you wiil always love me and be true as I shall .a:waY3 be true to you. I now end with love unbounding.—Yours lie-art and soul, Jack." "TRUE SIGN OF LOVE." On December 26th. 1S02, he wrote from Penrorsedd; "My own dear Katheiine. I hope you enjoyed your "cvfarfod' last night. I was thinking about you all the time, and you know it i j partly aO true ign of love for you. I have learnt to love you a good many years ago. No matter what difficulties come our way we love one another sufficiently to overcome them all I should like a kiss from you now; and again I tell you that noth ng but death will every destroy my strong lov.3 for you,-Fo, ever your rudor- ing Jack." From Nottingham, in July, 1903; "My dar- ling girl, I shall always be happy to work all day as long as I know that I am loved by you. my darling girl. Gyda chariad diddiwedd J.ack. In 1904, defendant, v/as at Burry Port, South Wales, and wrote: "My ever darling girl, —What a dear old sweetheart you are to write to me again; you do encourage me tremendously. Every atom of my whole heart is true to you always. The only way to repay is to keep true to you. p.nd you know that I do that. What a darling you I are to wait for me. I rema;n, your fond and loving Jack." Again, from Fronheulog. Burrv Port, he wrote: "Mv dear KatherIne. I mean to act straightforwardly toward, you all my life because I am convinced that I could not love any girl in this world but you, so I think we can be happy some day. With very best wishes for Christmas to you, dar- ling, a.nd my sincere love and such a lot of kisses.—Your darling Jack." Defendant was next at Ffestiniog and in November, 1905, wrote:—"My dearest Kath- erine,—I was so glad to have your letter this morning. You know the feeling as well as 1 do. I am getting more and more in need of your company as time gees on. I feel I am so devoted to you. Do write soon, very soon, darling; your Jack longs very much for a letter, a cofiwch I shall be pleased. —Your loving Jack." In March, 1906, MiSr" Owen. or, rather, "My dearest Katherine." gets "some news" from Ffestiniog, Dr. Price informing her that he was leaving. "The new place is at Ton Pentre, Glam. Outdoor assistant, £200; rooms and attendance, with a Dr. Hughes. South Wa'es once more." And once more he wrote: "169, Gelli-road, Ton Pentre. April 23, 1907. My darling Kitty,-—You will say. why this letter. Well, the only answer I can give you is that I am very love-sick. I have been ionging something awful for you all day, and this evening I had to get your Iovo let- ters out to console me—the dear love letters. they were so sweet, really I nearly cried when I read about cur old meetings. Well, hero we are still engaged for all these years, and I fcnow that you are so anxiously waiting for me; still, darling, I can do no better, but I fee] such a miserable wretch very often that I cannot get a practice and marry you like a decent chap. In your love and kindness you will say wait. It is hard to grin and bear it all; I want my little girl so badly. I love you so very, very much, and hundreds of times hero alone in this room I lotv and Ion" and very nearly cry for you. Pardon this letter, but. my darling, I must pour out my love to you in some- way. I can always say that I only loved once, and in the face of the world I say I love Katherine. Do write soon, Kitty. Accept my true and honest love, also kisses by the millions.—I am, for ever, your loving Jack," IAD IN LOVE." In October, 1907, defendant writes from Birmingham to his "Darling girl,—I want to see you badly. I am mad in love with you. I do wish I could (Yet on more and marry you, because I want you very. very much." Edward-street, Trecynon, Aberdare, was the address from which defendant eent the following letter to plaintiff, February 6th, 1908: "My dearest Katherine.. Of course, what I want to do is to do my best for you, and yet what a bitter thought it is to me to think, perhaps, you are worrying and people passing remarks perhap3. What do you sug- gest? Name any suggestion you like. cau-M you have nothing to fear by so doing. I do wish I could be near you because I am so much in love with you. I suppose the day will come, though, some time, but just imagine waiting all this time all because we are not rich enough. Shall be glad to hear from you soon, my dear, dear Kitty.—Ever your own Jack." Then again in July, 1908, from the same address:—"My dearest Kitty. I have answered an advertisement in th9 'British Medical Journal,' and they want a married roan. Of course, I must fall back upon you to provide me with that qualification, pro- vided everything is alright—house, etc. Now do please say if you are willing to marry me to go What money I have now is JB500, and we could get enough furniture with that if you think we can live on the £200 until I get the partnership. This is a very private letter, isn't it? I do wish I could be with you always. I am very tired of being a.lone all the time. Let me hear what you have to say, old girl." Counsel went on to state that defendant in the beginning of September bought a prac- tice at Llansawel, near Llandilo, for JS400, in- cluding freewill, drugs, and instruments. He wrote informing "My dearest .Kitty,—Castle Green, Llansawel,—I am to live ip this house as a paying guest to Mrs. Evans until wo can get married, then the house comes to me. I am the only dqctor in Llansawel and for eight round. I know you wish me luck.—Jack." In a. few days another letter follows refer- ring to the house and district: "I am most positive I have a good living in front of me, and I love the country place here, fine rivers and trees; in fact, I would not change now for any practice in Anglesey. Don't I feel glad that I missed Mountain Ash. At last, old girl. I have done for you what I wanted to do, and give me my health you think as you have always said, "Better to wait," but for a fellow full of it, as I have been, it was a very hard gamp. Call at Pen I'eisedd, and they wiU give you what news I have left you inadvertently." "EVER YOUR OWN. Defendant at the time was busily engaged in canvassing tho members of the Llandilo and Llandovery Guardians for two union ap- pointments. which he secured, and also the post of medical inspector of schools. He wired to plaintiff announcing his appoint- ments. and in his letter, dated 3rd October, 1908, he wrote: "My dearest Kitty,— I am glad to say that I have had plenty of work to do since I am here, and I have been called in to five of time big houses out of the six already. I am so glad to be on my own. It's a fine house, and the family will go when I get enough to get mar-ied. I am sure you would, be happy here—better than in old town*. In this place everyone has been so kind; these nobility are so near to you and so nice. I hope you will like the place. It is quiet, but beautiful woodland nery, equirreU running about the place. The next point is getting married. The practice is good, but of course I cannot expect them to pay all of them, the first year; they may be a. little long-winded; but I should like to bo married next 8umm.Jr, and I believe the people here expect me to. After all Kitty fach, maa clau yn well mg un. With dearest love and ki:«ses,—Ever your own Jack. P.S.How do you think you will like saying good-bye to Sir Fon? It is » sad i thought, I" have done iA iiQW.'i -J This, proceeded counsel, was in October, then as a bolt from the blue, on December 3rd, comes rhe following letter: — "Castle Green, Llansawel. Dear Miss Owen.—Con- cerning the length of time I have taken in writing to you, I think the above name suite the letter better; by the tame token you have also taken your time to answer my letter? on numerous occasions, which would not have happened at all if you loved me; but I am afrad that, to be candid with you, I den't love you either. I think, if you can forget) me, it would suit both parties concerned, rather than live a life of misery together. Lot me hear what you have to say concern- ing the matter. I know it is hard for you: it is hard for me also, but rather than live a wretched life with you, I prefer telling you. —I remain, yours truly, John T. Price." A PATHETIC REPLx. In repJy, Illis. Owen wrote:—"Trefadog, December 4th. 1908. Dear Jack,—1 hardly know how to write to you, Your letter has simply stunned me. Whatever have I done? After all these of true anù pure love towards you, I don't think I d°serve vonr letter this morning, and I will never bciieve that it can h9 conscientiously the dictation of your heart. Beiieve me it. is the hardest trial of my hi,) to live to-day—I am "0 utterly de- pressed. The only thing that cheers me up a little is the fact that I love vou still with a pure and untarnished liea.rt, for I have given myself to you, my whole heart. I can I say before Gnd that I love you and I will die loving you. I appeal to you not to break my heart. My longing for you aU this summer has been beyond description as my sisters know very often, How I do wish I could sce you now, then I would be happy. you give me any comfort in this hard world. J am sure, whatever I have done to offend you, that, lf you ask your own heart, I am positive it is not beyond remedy. I have kept my promise and will never break it; and if any- thing corn 's amis-j now, it will be the ruin- t1on of a girl who naliy lovos you. You know that all my feelings are nothing but love towards you. and i can finish off again with sending v you my love never to be de- stro-ed.—Yours, Katherine." It was on the 10th of December that Dr. Price sent a reply, which was as follows:— "Dear Katherine, I received your letter in answer to mine, and I wa- sorry to see that you took it so: but I must be honest with you and tell you that I wish you to release me from my engagement with you. I am awfully sorry for having to ask you. but reaUv I Ca.D110t imagine hc.v your life would be with me if I didn't, love you—it. would In tar harder than breaking of)' the engagement; and again I ay. I beg of you to release moo from my engagement. With kind wishes I remain, yours sincerely, John T. Pric: ANOTHER AFFECTING LETTER. "Dear Jack," so again commenced the lady's answer. "I do not know how to write almost; this is killing me. You arc asking me an impossible thing. I am too devotedly attached to you and given myself to you, heart, and soui, and bound to you by a pro- mise of the most serious tie. that I can never release you. Do you think a faithful and true love which has grown all the-e years— and you have constantly fed that Jove-ean he wiped off as off a elate? No, never, And after considering veu part, of my own life almost, again I say, No, never. Love ha? to suffer, it is true. Someone else has suffer- ed for us all because H." Joved us. I have borne many a cross in my life, but thi- is the heaviest of all, and I collapse under jt. member your promise at Newry House, which was to love me, chier me, and comfort me along the hard road of life, and be true to me through thick and thin. I have been true to you through everything, and had looked forward to live with you, loving cach othr as no other two ever loved before. Love like mine wiU not release. What has become over YOIl so sudden. There must be a reason for it more than you want to reveal to me. I know I have not offended them at Penyrorsedd, because I have seen Mr. Price and Annie. Will you kindly tell me if I have done or anything to offend you? That is only fair, and I am quite willing to listen to what you have to say. and will try and agree with you. I am willing to share everything with you and help you on a.- much as I can. I have your word that you are looking forward to have a home of your own wIth m, and I have been faithfully and anxiously waiting for you. and at times felt it very hard, too, when left alone here, and I cried for your love and company. And now, after you have got a practice, and on the verge of marrying (as you said), you want to be released—im- possible. It was very hard to part with loved ones in death, but to part with love in life if more than I can do. Pardon this letter, and take it in the right spirit. It is my confession and humble pleading. My prospects for Christmas will be very dark without your love, and do accept mine 8.gain, Katherine." "Release me from this engagement and send me the ring back, said defendant in a subsequent letter. "You know very well I bear you no ill-will, but my heart will not allow 1110 to marry you. I wish I could com- pensate you, but you know I have no money. and I know you don't want money, but you will never have any ill-will from ine, I con- sider this to be final now. so let us part friends and write to say so." A few days afterwards he sent plaintiff the correspondenco. photos, and gifts he had re- coived .fronl her, "because I cannot possibly marry you," Yet the lady wrote on January of thi? year and told defendant she did not believe what he stated—that he did not love her. "What were you doing all these yemrs then 7" she asked. "I am not satisfied with the reasons you are giving me. My feelings towards you are still the same, and a-s this i ■ such a very important matter, we better meet face to face.—I remain, yours lovingly, Katherine." THE PARTIES MEET. On the 10th of February, plaintiff went to Llansawel to seek an interview with Dr. Price, accompanied by her aunt. His only explanation of the cnange in his affection was: "We are all apt to change, and I have changed." On March 3rd, defendant married Miss Janey Evans, the second daughter of the late Dr. Evans. practice he had acquired, the bride being described as 19 years of age. Mies Owen, a prepossessing lady, bore out ) her counsel's statement. Mr. Morris addressed the jury in mitiga- tion and maintained that Dr. Price had shown that ho appreciated the position in which plaintiff had been put by not defending the action. He had not attempted to get out of the duty of paying damages. Not, as an excuse but &,1 an explanation it might be said that he found in the lady in whose mother's house he lived what was absent in Miss Owen. His learned friend had intimated that it was the usual thing in these cases to make out that, the defendant was poor. The jury should bear in mind the terrible struggle was nowadays for professional men to make their way in the world, and this had baen the experience of defendant. Then they had the fact that the lady who wrote so affecting letters, so feeling letters, resorting to a court of law. He asked the jurv to be reasonable— of course, they were bound to award some- J thing—but let it not swamp the defendant. Mr. Griffith made a. stirring appeal to the jurv. and dwelt on the loving way in which the voting lady had waited for plaintiff to settle down to a praotice; yet. after aU, as soon as he got a practice, he threw her over. What would the jury say if their daughters or sisters were treated in this way? This gentle- man in a few months, after throwing ove.r the lady who had loved him all her life, married another young woman. He asked not for vindictive damages, but for substan- tial damages. In summing up the case for the jury, the Sheriff (Mr. Vincent) asked them to consider what was the position of the ladv to-day, and what it would have been If the promise had been carried out. They had to consider also that the engagement had lasted a long per- iod, and how devoted the lady was to plaintiff was shown by the very pathetic letters read. The period of the engagement was also during the lady's marriageable years, and from a commercial point of view she w8. not worth so much to-day in the matrimonial market. However, it not the duty of the jury to punish defendant.. After half-an-hour's deliberation, the jury assessed the damages at £ 500, and judgment J was entered for the amount with costs.

!ABERDARE POLICE COURT.

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