LOVE IN A TEA SHOP.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2515, 31 May 1909, Page 6

LOVE IN A TEA SHOP.

DAMAGES AGAINST A TROOPER IN THE YEOMANRY.

AMUSING EVIDENCE

Alfred Aspland, a baker at Enfield, was awarded £l4o' damages in the King’s Bench Division recently against Isaac John Robinson, a young trooper in the Herts Yeomanry, for the betrayal of his daughter, Florence Amelia Aspland. The defendant denied the allegations. Air. Powell, K.C., and Air. P. B. Mo-rle appeared for the plaintiff; Air. J. Scarlett for the defendant.

Florence Amelia Aspland, a pretty ‘young woman, said she lived at a baker’s shop with her brother and his wife, and assisted in the shop. “Jack” Robinson was an occasional customer, and at Easter, 1907, began to pay her some attention. He asked her whether she would be his sweetheart, and she agreed. Ho said there would be no need for a ring, as they would he seeing each other frequently. He used to meet her at her father’s house, ‘The Laurels’, in the evening, and walk with her to the shop. When he went to camp he sent her postcards. On Alay 27, 1907, he wrote:

_ "Dear Flossie, —Am getting on all right at Luton, but shall be glad to see you again, dear, for I don’t like the girls down here. AVrit© soon and tell me how you are going on. —Your loving sweetheart, J. Robinson.”

He also sent a photograph of himself in the camp. On June 4, 1907, ho came to her father’s house in the evening, but did not enter - he whistled for her outside and she admitted him into the garden, and they sat together in a summer-house. A child wits born ill Apr; 1 , lyOa. A PATHETIC LETTER.

Ho gave her several small presents, and a watch on her birthday. He told her, when the trouble came not to cry, and kissed her, but he went away and did not return as jtromised. On February 5 she wrote-to him;

"Dear Jack, —"Why is it you have not been to see me as promised ? You are the only one in this wide, wide world that I have ever loved, and I gave up everything for your sake, and only you can save, my name and renew my happiness. I wait and listen for you every evening.”

A young soldier in Canada had been writing love-letters to her before she became Robinson’s sweetheart. At the latter’s request she broke off that courtship, Robinson himself posting tho letter to Canada.

Cross-examined by Air Scarlett, slie said her ago was twenty-seven. Counsel thereupon referred to the defendant as “this rosy-cheeked boy.” She said she did not know Robinson was only eighteen years of age in 1907. This shop had little tables for refreshments ? —Yes. Lads used to come there in the evening and lark about with you ?—lndeed, no, sir.

AVa s there someone named Davis?— Yes, sir. How many of them were you engaged to? —Jack was the only one I ever pledged my word to. “THE LOA’E SHOP.”

Enfield is a quiet sort of place?— Yes.

Your shop is known as “the love shop” (Laughter.) —I have nover heard it called that. Counsel;! read letters written by the young man in Canada. Ono letter said :

. Just a line to let my dear little girl know lam still thinking of her. lam nothing without you, dearest. Fond love and kisses.

Counsel pointed out from tho dates that.she must have written to Canada while she was going out with Robinson. She replied that she wanted to break it off with tho soldier in Canada gradually. Counsel quoted from a letter written by Davis :

You must excuse me for what I write, for I feel as though I must write to you. What does not flow from the tongue will flow from tho heart. November is fast approaching us. I have not forgotten it. Are you still of the samo opinion? How often my thoughts wander to- you, but I do all I can to avoid it, for I know that I ought not, for I never hear from you, much less see you. You know, Flo, a thing of beauty is a joy for ever. Aly thoughts seem to be transfixed on you, apd many times I dream about you, but —enough said. I think you have cut me off most unmercifully. Cannot I retrieve what I have lost. ... I hope the teas are

going off like wildfire. \ Isaac John Robinson, tlic defendant, said lie frould be twenty-one years of age in July next. He denied having been alone in the shop Avitli Miss Aspland. Boys used to come into the shop and kiss the girls. Sometimes one could not get into the there were so many boys. Ho worked for his father, who was a corn merchant, and received os a week pocket-money. He denied having given Miss Aspland the presents mentioned. The girl always told the boys when her birthday was coming round, and so they subscribed for the watch. How much did you give?—Sixpence. (Laughter.) REMARKABLE OATH. . Mr Powell produced postcards which Robinson had sent from London to Miss Aspland. One said: “Got job. L. o. Asked whether “L. S.” stood for loving sweetheart,” Robinson said, ‘ I here are a lot of meanings.” Another postcard said: , Dear Flo,— Already I am known as tlie Robin of Mark-lane. (Laiightoi.) A further message, also on a postcard said *, That what I. was talking about a few nights ago was settled. Shall be a little light-headed to-night, Tour loving S He * admitted. writing the following document: An Oath. . I hereby state that I, Jack Robinson, of Chase Side, Enfield, agree to, or in case of , to keep from want 1 . Aspland, of ‘Windmill Hill, Enfield, Middlesex. . ■ The document, he said was a joke. Frederick George Lunnon, a coachman, said he had been into the shop and had seen the girl let a young man named Archer kiss her. . William % Hawkridge, a young man , said he had “done some kissing and cuddling* * in tlic shop* and liad kissed “Florrie.” ~ . .... m The jury awarded the <p.aintift x/LLU damages. Judgment accordingly.