A Dressmaker’s Claim: Mr. John Pynsent Matthews of 76, Ashworth mansions, W., disputed liability for a dressmaker’s account in respect of which he was sued at Marylebone, on Wednesday, on the grounds that the lady who had contracted the debt was not in reality his wife. Mr. Walhouse appeared for the plaintiff, and M. Nonweiler for the defendant, who was unable to be present. The plaintiff was Mrs. Louisa Jones, who said she traded as Maude Ainsworth, at Queen’s-road, Bayswater. Some time ago a lady representing herself to be the defendant’s wife was introduced to plaintiff, from whom she purchased goods to the value of £ 15. She said that her husband was a director of the Neurolite Company, who supplied the tiles for the “Bakerloo” Tube and allowed her L. 10 a month for dress. She was expecting a cheque from Japan. Subsequently, plaintiff searched the records, and found that defendant had 2,850 shares in the Neurolite Company, and was managing secretary to that concern. Mr. Wa!house: What rent does he pay? Plaintiff: £ 100 a year, and in the summer he lives at Cookham. He swore in court, in January, your honour, in a case brought by a man named Boules, that he was married. Mr. Nonweiler: Not to her, though, did he? Miss Catherine Brain, who introduced Mrs. Matthews to the plaintiff, said that she had visited Mr. and Mrs. Matthews for some time, and never doubted for a moment that they were man and wife. Sir William Selfe: You wouldn’t have known her if you had thought otherwise, I expect? — No, indeed. — (Laughter:) Mr. Walhouse: Did she tell you who his father was — She said he was a squire at Ottery St. Mary, and that the defendant was afraid to let him know of his marriage, because he would have been cut off. Do you know what the lady was before she was married? — A music-hall artist. We did not know it at the time, and we were sorry we knew her when we found out. She said she was married at High-street, Kensington. Mr. Nonwelier: You know that they are not living together now? — I don’t know so much about that. I know that when I called to try and get back the L. 5 I lent her she has always been out, according to the servants, but peeped at me through the windows when I left. — (Laughter). Mr. Nonweiler said he was instructed that his client was not married to the lady, and that therefore she had no right to pledge his credit. Sir William Self: But he allowed her to assume that honourable position, and she could therefore clothe herself with his authority. Mr. Nonweiler: He has had other judgments against him for debts which this lady has contracted, and it in rather hard for him to have to pay over again when he has made her what I submit is a sufficient allowance. Sir William Selfe: People often have to pay for these little luxuries twice over. — (Laughter.) An order for £ 1 monthly payments was made, with liberty to apply for a new trial.
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