Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-10-28
A CalamitOuS Kiss.

THE ATROCIOUS CONDUCT OF A MARRIED
MAN OF NEVADA.
Yesterday afternoon John Meeker was
tried before Justice Knox on the charges
of disturbing the peace and assault and
battery. The case grew out of distur-
hSnpe which took place at a social party
at Mr.. Adams house Oh South F. street.
1t appeared that the defendant, Meeker,
had been invited to a little party at
Adams house on Tuesday evening. He
attended the party, taking his girl. Ad.
ans in the course of the evenings fes-
tivities, began to take liberties with the
girl, and Meeker raised row, which
ended in an assault on Adams,
Adams the complaining witness, testi-
fed that while the frolic was in pro
gress the defendant charged him with
improper conduct toward the young
lady ne brought there, and finally as
saulted 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 un-
seemly way toward the young lady?
The witness-NOt altogether.
Attornev-Now, didn't you hug her
Witness-Yes by mistake. The Jury
look at one another in astonishment.
Attorney-Piease explain.
Witness-l was sitting on the sofa
alongside my wife when suddenly a
guest of wind put out the light. After
the light was extinguished L heard a
noise as if people were getting kissed
[sensation, so thought I'd stand in.
l grabbed the lady next to me, thinking
it was my wife, and when the lamp was
relighted found it was Miss Clark that
! had hold of.
The laughter in the room was check
ed by Constable Metcalf.
Attorney-Did you kiss her?
Witness (after some hesitation)-1
don't think did.
Attorney-Why are you not sure?
Witness-I won't swear positively
whether did or not.
Attorney-Ify you had been sure it was
your wife, would you have kissed her ?
Here the witness looked round uneas.
lily for few seconds, and not seeing his
wife in the court room answered with a
grin, mo"
This caused another general laugh
and the witness left the stand. He was
more than astonished a moment aftel
when his wife was called. She swept
out from the back room and took tht
stand, with her black eyes snapping like
terriers. At the sight of her, Adams
presented pitiahle appearance anG
made himself as small as possible behin(
Constable Metcalf.
No man in the court room would hav,
changed places with him for a Thousand
dollars.
Mrs. Adams had been subpmnaee
| for the prosecution, but her husband
labored under the mistaken belief that
she had been excused. The Distric
Attorney must have known that it was
dangerous to put her on the stand, bu
he probably could not resist the tempta
ton. She was more than anxious tt
testify.
1--WE were having little social party
at our house last Tuesday evening.
was sitting beside my husband on th'
sofa when he asked me to go across the
room and introduce couple of peopl,
| lust 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 tn.
constable. Then l heard 'em kissing
7 told Meeker that it was put up job
1 thought he did just right"
| AuOy Oiot 1hO 4AsSo OA A>oA -
Stewart streets, testified that she wa
sitting near Mr.. Adams when the ligh1
went out. Everybody was rushing tt
kiss the girls, and she thought she woult
get up near Mr.. Adams for protection
he being a married man. Great merri
ment in which the court unwillingly
joined:l
District tAttorney-Did he kiss you?
Miss Clark (blushing)-He thought
was his wife.
The Court-Did you kiss him back
thinking he was your husband?
AT this sally of the court the specta
tors laughed uproariously, and it re
ouired several minutes to restore order
Miss Clark declined to answer, an,
the court decided that she need no
criminate herself.
A young lad named Armstrong,
nephew of Adams, swore that his uncl
promised him dollar to blow out tn
light when he gave the signal. Adam
scratched the top Of his head as a signal
He gave the signal just as his wife lei
him.
The jury found a verdict Of not guilty
When Adams next has occasion
scratch his head, it is probable that b
will find less hair there than when h
scratched it the last time Trgini
Chronicle,