Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-09-03
from the New Orleans picayune. !
CuriOus Scene in Court.


Many persons attending the sessions OF
the Recorders Court in this city have been
edited by the peculiar socmnlty with which
oaths are administered, and the awe with
which they are generally taken. 1t so hap
pened that Wednesday morning an ungainlly
specimen of the recently enfranchised made
his appearance before one OF these tribunals
in the capacity OF witness. The judge,
with an austerity of visage that at once
creates the impression of profound melan
choly, held out the hook TO the witness,
and administered his solemn adluratlon TO
speak the truth. AT the conclusion, ol
course, it is expected that the witness Will
kiss tile hook But this, "ward of the
nation" was unused to criminal proceedings,
and entertained curious ideas OF the manner
and propriely of swearing, and stood erect
"Why don't you kiss G' demanded the
magistrate.
"Sarp'
"Ain't You going 10 kisss" was again in
quired.
"Sarl' repeated the astonished darkey,
evidently mistaking the meaning OF the
Court, and surprised beyond measure at such
an invitation.
"Klss, l tell youl" Numbered the Judge.
eyes, sarl yes. sarln exclaimed the fright
ened and trembling dArkey, nerving himself
for the contemplated embrace, and without
more ado the long arms OF the son OF Ham
were thrown around the judicial neck, and
before he could be prevented stentorian
smack resoundcd though The court room.
"Quit, you beast-helpl hclp" shouted
the magistrate. But the darkey enjoyed the
luxury, and the embrace was renewed with
junction.
Take him off! take him OFF, cried the
Court, while the loud shouts OF the specta-
tors testified their appreciation OF the lun.
| AT last, however the officers OF the Court
interfered, and the half strangled judge was
rescued from the clasp of the literal witness.
"CaIch himl put him IN Jail III have
! him hungr' were some of the iniurlated OBJ
iurgalions OF the Court, us he leaned back
against the wall, his face flushed and bis
clothes torn from the recent encounter.
"God in Heaven that / should be hugged
by niggerl" and the judge again bounced
forth his viluperations. But the offending
darkey was at last locked up, and the Courl
settled down 10 its habilual order aud quiet
MATRMoNY ExTRAoRD ISARY.-There is ;
very remarkable case of matrimonial felicityQ
which is not generally known to the public,
In the West Division lives woman with twt
husbands, to each of whom she has been mar
ried in legal form. At the time the war broke
out this woman was living with her first hus
, band by whom she had three children. Sool
after the breaking out of the rebellion he
+ husband enlisted and went off in the role of
"brave soldier boy" A year or two after hi
+ wife heard that he was killed in battle. Sh
! heard nothing from him personally ; the wa
closed and lie failed to write or to report at hi
former " headquarters in Chicago. His wifi
/. now considered herself widow beyond al
doubt and in course Oftime she married again
But a few months ago, to her amazement
husband No. l., whom she had mourned a
- dead, returned TO his long deserted domicilt
1 but, like Enoch Arden, only to find his wifi
the spouse of another man. But, unlik
Enoch Arden, he failed 10 die of broken heart
A council of war was held by the three head
n of tho family and the difficulty amicably ad
= justed. What to some men and women sim
n larly situated wOuld have resulted in pistol:
n blood, and litigation, was settled readily an
a satisfactorily by this amicable trio. 1t wa
n mutually agreed that both husbands shoul
n continue 10 be "liege lords - of the woman
n on equal terms, and she should be the wife
n both husbands. Soon after the sodier-hui
n bands return home, the wife presented to hii
n and to the world another child, the Olfsprin
N N of husband No. 2. But this circumstance di
~ not seem to disturb the equilibrium of No,
}, nor the peace of the household. And ther
e dwels that "happy family lone wife, tv
s. husbands, and four chldren-in a small co
II tage, as quietly and content, to all appearance
O. as if nothing unusual had ever happened =
n Chicago EDentng Post.