Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-12-30

"'Fimoihy Brown, stand up" said his
honor the Mayor, while try ing ihe watch.
house cases this morning, to a slim, ner-
vous looking creature IN the prisoners s
dock.
Timothy stood up but instead of cast
ing his eyes towards the Mayor, he kept
them fixed upon a short and somewha,
corpnlent lady, with n highly figured
shawl thrown over her rather bread
shoulders, and bonnet covered with
flowers upon her head, who sa. on the
opposite side of the court room. AT the
time Mr.. Browns name was called, she
was engaged in packing sundry little ar
,icles in highly ornamen,ed reticule.-
As he raised his body, however, she rails
ed her head, and their eyes met. A kick
from horse could not have shocked
Timothy more severely, for he certainly
would have fell had not his hands ner.
vouslv grasped the railings of the dock.
"Mr. Brown" said the Mayor, "you
are charged with abusing your wife"
"Yes--tha.'s The charge replied the
lady we have mentioned. rising and max
ing rurtesy. "lor, may it please your
honor. am his better half" 81. .r
alas he been abusing you, madam?"
asked the Mayor. .... VI. ~.
"I--I-I-never-did," stammered
Brown, "as she -. ... .....
"Mr. Brown" cried Mrs. b., stamp
ing her foot upon the floor, which appa-
ren,ly chilled the heart of her husband.
"Mr. Brown, will you hold your peace
while | am speaking. Remember. sir.
that We are not now alone in our domi-
Gil, where peace once reigned supreme.
but which, alas! is now the abode of mis-.
cry. stand now under the protection
of the law, and Justice, with her blinded
eyes and uncrring sword shall decide the
differences between u.s."
"Mary, for Heavens sake, don't"
"Mr. Brown, hold thy peace; you are
a prisoner; prisoners are not allowed TO
speak"
"You," said the Mayor, 'charge your
husband with abusing you-did he strike
you!"
"No, sir-tha. he dare not do. Strike
me! Let him ever attempt that, if he
wishes the broom handle broken over his
head ,s..
"ln what manner, then, did he abuse
you! | must know this before | can
further proceed with the case"
"Please your Honor" tremulously
said Brown, 81 can tell you all"
Mister Brown ,DiU you be silen,!'
interrupted Mrs. b., with another stamp
Of the foot, which effectually stopped
the tongue of her husband. Then turn.
ing TO the Mayor. she said: "That man.
sir. was once the idol of my heart; be,
lieved that he loved me at that time, bul
Heaven knows, sir, | have found my
mistake. He is a tailor by trade, sir
journey man tailor--as good tailor as
ever stitched pair of pants--but then
il profits me nothing now. What is a
husband. your honor, without affection
which is the admiration OF our sex-the
acme of our hearts enjoyment"
"Mary! Mary! | DO love-" cried
Mr.. Brown.
"You once did, Timo,hy-you once
did, but you do not now. My heart is
shrouded in darkness, Timothy--black
dismal darkness"
"Will you plense tell me, madam, i,
what manner your husband assaulted
you!" enqnired the Mayor. growing i'm
patient.
"Oh, pardon me. sir" replied Mrs
Brown, shut my troubles SO distract my
mind ,ha. know not what say. Tim
othy, you will one day repent all this
Here Mrs. b. rested her forehead upol
her hand for minute, as if in in deel
study, and then addressed the Mayor a
follows:
II will tell you all, though sham
! parch my lips. have told you we wer'