A Treacherous Rascal.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 624, 23 June 1891, Page 2

A Treacherous Rascal.

DESERTS HIS BETROHED AFTER GETTING THE CERTIFICATE. £1250 DAMAGES. [special to the standabd.l Invebcabgill, last night. The breach of promise case of Alex. Cross (father of Kate Veronica Cross, who is a minor) versus James Leslie Theodore Howell, claim £2,000 damages, wss heard before Mr Justice Williams and a jury this morning. Defendant did not appear, and was unrepresented. Evidence was given to enable the jury to estimate the damages. It appeared that Miss Cross and Howell, who is 23, had kept company for five years, and two years ago they were engaged. Howell seduced her, and when he found she was in the family way all arrangements were made for a marriage, but on the day the defendant procured a license from the Registrar he went to Melbourne, unknown to the bride or her family, who were led to understand that he had gone to Riverton on a visit to his mother. On the day of the marriage the breakfast was laid and guests invited, and ministers were present, but the bridegroom never appeared. It was then learned that Howell had cleared, The father and daughter subsequently followed him to Melbourne to finally learn his intentions, and he replied by letter stating that he would not marry the girl, and that they were at liberty to take what proceedings they pleased against him. He admitted he had made a blackguard of himself. It was proved that defendant was entitled to between two thousand and two thousand five hundred pounds in three or four years, being his share of his father’s estate to be distributed when the youngest of the family comes of age. His Honor, addressing the jury, said the whole circumstances were very bad, The breach was ot a flagrant and gross nature. After seven minutes’ retirement the jury returned a verdict for £1250.