The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-11-06
A KISS IN THE DARK.
An Astonishing Picture of Social Custom
Out in Nevada.
from the Virginia Chronicle.J

Out in Nevada.
from the Virginia ChronicIe.]
Yesterday afternoon John Meekel
was tried before Justice Knox on the
charge Of disturbing the peace and as
sault and battery. The case grew out
of a disturbance which took place at a
social party at Mr.. Adams house, on
South f street. Il appeared that the
defendant, Meeker, had been invited to
little party at Adams house on Tuer-
day evening He attended the party,
taking his girl. Adams, in the course
OF the evenings festivities. began to
take liberties with the girl, and Meeker
raised row, which ended in an assault
on Adams.
Adams, the complaining witness,
testified that while the frolic was in
progress the defendant charged him
with improper conduct toward the
young lady he brought there, and final
~ assaulted him, striking him once in
the eye (eye exhibited to the jury.
Attorney for the defense-Mr. Adams,
did you not deport yourself in an I'M
seemly way toward the young lady?
The witness-Not altogether.
Attorney-Now, didn't you hug her?
Witness-Yes, by mistake. The jury
looked at one another in astonishment. |
Attorney-Please explain.
Witness-I was sitting on the sofa
alongside of my wife, when suddenly a
gust Of wind put out the light. After
the light was extinguished [ heard a
noise as if people were getting kissed
(sensation), so I thought I'd stand in.
| grabbed the lady next to me, think
ing it was my wife, and when the lamp
was relighted I found it was Miss Clark
that had hold of.
The laughterin thereon was checked
by Constable Metcal1]. ...#
Attorney-Did you kiss her?
Witness CATER some hesitation) i
don't think | did.
Attorney-Why are you not sure
Witness-There was so much confu-
sion at the
Attorney Now, don't you know you
did? ..... .4.......I
Witness-I won't swear positively
whether I did or not.
q Attorney-If you had been sure it
was your wife, would you have kissed
her?
Here the witness looked round I'M
easily for few seconds, and not seeing
his wife in the courtroom, answered,
with grin, Mol"
This caused another general laugh,
and the witness left the stand. He was
more than astonished a moment after
when his wife was called. She swept
out from the back room and took the
stand, with her black eyes swapping
like terriers. At the sight OF her,
Adams presented a pitiable appear
ance, and made himself as small
as possible behind Constable MetcaIf.
No man in the courtroom would have
changed places with him for 1000.
Mrs. Adams had been subpmnaed for
the prosecution, but her husband la
bored under the mistaken idea that she
had been excused. The District At
torney must have known that it was
dangerous to put her on the stand, but
he probably could not resist the temp
tation. She was more than anxious to
testify.
We were having little social party
at our house last Tuesday evening. 7
was sitting beside my husband on the
sofa, when he asked me to go across the
room and introduce couple of people
that were not acquainted. I went, and
just then the light went out. Soon af-
ter, Miss Clark, the girl that came with
Meeker, slid over toward my husband
that man sneaking down behind the
constable. Then I heard 'em kissing.
[ told Meeker that it was put-up job,
and he knocked my husband down. T
thought he did just right"
Miss Lucy Clark, who lives on n. Stew
art street, testified that she was sitting
near Mr.. Adams when the light went
out. Everybody was rushing to kiss
the girls, and she thought she would
get near to Mr.. Adams for protection,
he being a married man Great mer-
riment. in which the court unwillingly
joined.
District Attorney-Did he kiss you?
Miss Clark (blushing)-He thoug ht I
was his wife.
The court-Did you kiss him back,
thinking he was your husband?
At this sally of the court, the spec
tators laughed uproariously, and it re-
quired several minutes TO restore order.
Miss Clark declined to answer, and
the court decided that she need not
crlminate herself.
A young lad named Armstrong, a
nephew OF Adams, swore that his uncle
promised him 81 to blow out the light
when he gave the signal. Adams