The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1868-10-14
A Touching Scene in a Justice Court.

Mr. D. G.. Gibbon, student Of medicine,
was called up before one Of our Randolph
street justices yesterday, ON disorderly con
duct warrant, sworn out by Miss Susan Neil.
The complainant was very pretty girl
She blushed, hid her face, aud stated that
she was forced to take the present step only
by the obstieacy of the prisoner. These
two had been engaged, and many gifts and
notes had passed between them. One day,
for the merest nothing, he had picked quar-
rel. broken the match and her heart, and yet
refused to return the seven love-letters, the
old glove, the curl and the ribbon she had
given him. She supposed he kept them, and
showed them to his wicked associates, and
boosted Of them as trophies of his conquest
of a fond and girlish heart
His Honor looked goomily at Mr.. Gibbon
there was Bridewell in his eye.
Mr.. Gibbon replied that he greatly prefer
red attempting an amputation at the hip JOINT
to falling in love with woman. If fellow
had any feeling Of security about it, it might
be different but there never was any telling
where ope was to fetch up. He had tried
romantic young ladies, and literary young la
dies, and had come to grief in every instance.
Finally he had settled on Miss Susan, who
was described to him to be matter of fact,
buiscuit- baking young woman. He had paid
her his addresses, making little gifts of sale
ratus and blueing, and receiving in return
some ginger-cakes. She was not to be led
too deeply into sentiment. If he spoke OF
poetry, she spoke of pastry. Ii he talked o.
radiant hopes, she spoke of washing soap
A. few days ago he went to see her, and found
her preserving. Something in the looks Of
the paper which she had put over the cans
struck him, and he looked and found she had
used his love letters for chat purpose. That
seemed little too cool, and he spoke of it
to her. She replied that it was wise idea
of hers. All those beginning 'Dear Susan
went over the peaches, ard all those begin
ming ssMy own love" over the apples She
wished he would write one more of the
latter, in order to make up the number she
wanted. He felt such woman would never
do for him, and had broken off the match
As for returning her letters, it was out Of
the question. The words of love they con
tanned were part Of himself When he
saw them it brought the old days back-the
melodies of the youth of their love, heard
before the roses had witnered, before'he ceas
ed giving her salaratus.
During these remarks the court wiped its
eyes, took from its pocket spare handker
chief small dictionary, some blank forms
an almanac, and, at last a small tin box
which looked as if it might, at some time
have held Seidlitz powders. This box the
court opened, and took out a little parcel tiet
up in red tape, on which it dropped teal
and then said:
| "Twenty- -four years ago, this court lovee
a girl living near Downers Grove. Thl
court corrcsponded with that girl by thu
weekly stage In moment Of frenzy tina
Girl Tilted this court, and demanded her let
tiers and a string of beads. This court repll
ed that it could not return the beads. whicl
it had traded at a grocery store, and that !
would not return the letters, when entreate'
by brother to give them up. This court, t
the great laceration Of its feelings, knocke
down that brother and stamped upon him
It still retains those letters though she VIII
wrote them has emigrated to Missouri. Nov
this court does not intend to stultlfy itself D
taking any action against the defendant, VIII
5 will be discharged. AS for the complainant
she will be fined $40, which sum this coul
) would assess on the person that Tilted it, if
], could get hold of her. Chicago 4ribun