The Sun.
London, England, 1862-12-24 00:00:00

FOWLER V. AUSTIN.

This was an action to recover wages, plaintiff being a
domestic servant, and defendant a tailor of Earl-street,
Blackfriars.

Plaintiff proved that she had been engaged at £8 per
annum, and that when she gave notice defendant wished to
pay her ls. per week. _

Mrs. Austin deposed that it was defendant who refused
:o keep plaintiff, and gave notice, and that plaintiff agreed
o stop for is. per week. She stayed six weeks.

His Honour— And you let her go away without paying
that. You have not even paid the money into court. I shall
find for plaintiff.
Defendant wished to appeal, but of course could not.
Verdict for plaintiff, and costs.

SECONDARIES' COURT.
(Before Mr. Potter and a Jury.)

BRUCE V. GRANT-ACTION POR FALSE IMPRISONMENT
AGAINST AN OFFICER BY A STOCKBROKER.

This was a suit of inquiry to assess the damages, laid at
£lO,OOO, and it was sent down from the Court of Common
Pleas, defendant having suffered judgment to go by de-
fault.
Mr. H. James, for plaintiff, called his client,

Mr. Bruce, who said—l was employed by defendant to
speculate in consols, and I endeavoured to induce him not
to speculate heavily. In March last there was a very heavy
debt standing against him. In March I saw Captain Grant,
and he drew a note for £l,OOO. (Note read.) He said he
had some houses in Rangoon. He instructed me to sell
them. I found I could not get the note discounted, and on
14th March I went back with it to Captain Grant at his
club. After a great deal of discussion, he said, " Well, if
you can't get the money, you may fill in four or six
months." Again I could not get it discounted, and I re-
turned it to Mr. Grant, who had it three days. After he
had the note I saw defendant with a Mr. Mortimer and
another gentleman. I told the gentlemen that I could not
Fay the money I owed on behalf of Mr. Grant, but I
produced Mr. Grant's note. Captain Grant had brought it
with him. I remember Mr. Mortimer using the words
"three months." The result was that the note should be
kept by Mortimer, and I agreed to accept the note in full
satisfaction. There was no application to me to give up the
note while it was running, and it was dishonoured when
due. I was arrested by a policeman soon after it was dis-
honoured, and locked up all night in a police cell. I was
searched and taken before Alderman Carden, and kept in
the dock. I was kept in a cell below. Ido not know who
was in the cell with me. Defendant was examined, and
the bank prosecutor appeared. Directly Mr. Mortimer was
examined I was discharged, and the Alderman expressed
his opinion at the time. I have received no apology from
that time to this, and I have since found my business in
the Stock Exchange fallen off very much.
The learned Secondary said no one appeared for the de-
fendant, and the only question was one of amount,
Plaintiff—Mr. Grant gave me assurances as to his meatp,
and he is an officer of the Indian army.
Mr. Mortimer fully corroborated the plaintiff, and stated
positively that Captain Grant saw the date on the note.
Mr. Bruce's position had been much injured by this affair.
Mr. Rougier also confirmed the previous testimony, as to
the interview with Mr. Mortimer. Sir Walter Carden was
so satisfied of the abominable nature of the case that wit-
ness was not examined. The whole of Captain Grant's
evidence as to the interview at the club was false.
Mr. Brett (detective officer)—l arrested plaintiff without
a warrant. Captain Grant gave him into custody. He
was examined at the Mansion-house about four o'clock the
next day.

Mr. Curson produced the charge-sheet, by which it ap-
peared that plaintiff was a stockbroker, and the charge was
"forging and uttering a note for Ll,OOO, with intent to
cheat and defraud," &c.

The learned Secondary—This is a most unaccountable
case, and I fully agree with all that has been said on behblf
of the plaintiff. The defendant does not appear, and you
will say what damages you award.
The jury retired to consider their verdict, and on their
return assessed the damages at '£l,ooo.