Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-15
Who Takes the ssHeads'' and Who
the ssSides'' i'm a Setl-A Point That
should be Settled at Once.

SnOulO ne settled at once
Charles Garrison was tried yesterday after
noon for assaulting William Mitchell on Friday
evening last. The parties reside in this city,
but the trouble took place at ball given on
American f1at. Mitchell testified that he went
down to American Fiat last Friday evening to
attend ball given for the benefit OF poor
widow. As rule, he did not care much for so
cial dances, but he went to this one to assist
the widow. While quadrille set was forming
on the floor he noticed that ClarkSon, who had
taken position on the side, went across and
whispered to couple opposite him. He over
heard enough to know that a conspiracy was
forming between the two side couples to dance
the first ngure-a figure always danced in we'll
regulated bathrooms by the head couples. He
the music struck up and the order was given to
"fOr'ard and back" he broke for the center of
the floor. All of the dancers In the set did the
same and the result was that there was viO-
lent Quadriiateral collision. Clarkson suddenly
hauled of and hit the witness in the eye. The
light then became general and for the next ten
"Lannigan's Ball" wasn't circumstance to the
scene OF confusion there enacted. During the
row Mitchell received a black eye and sWelled
nose from ClarkSonS energetic fist.
ClarkSon next took the stand and Swore that
he and his girl were at the end OF the set, and
were not side couple at all. He had been at a
ball or so in his time, and knew something of
the rules of dancing. According to the rules
the two head couples always danced as the
cracks OF the floor ran. He had started to
dance as designated by the cracks, and knew
the compliments eye, but he made 1t a prlnci-
pie at dance to hold his own against all COM
erS. He would allow no man on earth to in
dulge in any funny business" at his expense
Thomas jenkins, a man who had furnished
the music for the dance. was put on the stand.
He said it was usual to dance lengthwise OF the
cracks, unless the hall was larger the other
way.
Witness-1f the cracks run lengthwise of the
hall the head couple dance along the cracks,
and, If the hall is large across 'en.
hnT-n rNDfS
carpeted, and no cracks in sight, what do you
do in that caSe?"
The witness-You dance toward the music
The Court-Where was the music on this oc-
caSion?
The witness-In the corner
The COurt-If the cracks run across the hail.
and the hall was larger the other way, and the
music was in the corner, how could you expect
people to dance straight?
The witness was completely dumb-fOunded
by this joint consolidated question He made
no reply but stared helpleSSly about the room.
He was finally dismissed. Several other wit
nesSeS testified as to how the cracks in the
floor ran. Some were Of the opinion that there
were no cracks in the floor at all; at least they
didn't notice any.
One witness was asked, ssDid you notice any
cracks?" and answered promptly:
81 got a crack on the head with StOve-pOker,
and IL ran north and south, as near as l can
recollect,"
This reply caused some merriment but the
Constable was fully equal to the OCCASION
John X. Briggs, who was at the ball, told his
experience in this way:
"When the row opened up. l sashayed over
to the center of the room, and got a lift under
the ear. and let out my left at the man who
hit me-"
Justice Moses Gocosely), ga sort of alley man
left movement, eh?"
The Witness-Yes, your Honor. Then 1 got
kicked in the stomach, and the women
screamed, and the lights went out. 1 got some
fellows head in chancery and hammered away
at it as long as could hold it.
The District Attorney-Didn't you know who
1t was?
The Witness-Haven't any idea. l was just
trying to hold my chances level with the crowd.
The case then went to the.jury, who returned
verdict Of not guilty. Virginia city (Nen)
Chronicle.