Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-10-18
A CALAMITOUS KISS.

The other day John Meeker was tried
before Justice Knox on charges of dis
turbingthe peace and assault and battery
The case grew out of disturbance which
took place at II social party at Mr.. Adams
house, on South + street. 1t appeared
that the defendant Meeker had been invit>
ed to a little party at Adams house on
Tuesday evening. Heattended the party,
taking his girl. Adams, in the course of
the evenings festivities. began to take
liberties with the girl, and Meeker raised
a row, which ended in an assault on Ad,
ans.
Adams, the complaining witness, testi-
fed that while the frolic was in progress
The de e!endant charged him with improper
conduct toward the young lady he brought
there, and finally assaulted HIM, striking
him once in the eye (eye exhibited to The
jury)
Attorney for the defense-Mr. Adams,
did you no. deport yourself in an unseem-
ingly way toward the young adyf
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-1 was sitting on the sofa
alongside my wife when suddenly a gust
of wind put out the light. Acer the light
was extinguished l heard a noise as if
people were getting kissed [sensationl so
l thought I'd stand in. / grabbed the
lady next TO me, thinking it was my wife,
and when the lamp was relighted found
it was Miss. .Cla'k that had hold Of.
[The laughter in the room was checked
by Constable Metcalf]
Attorney-Dd you kiss herr
Witness (after some hesitation) II don't
think did.
Attorney-Why are you not sure
Witness There was SO much confusion
at the
Attorney Now don't you know you
did 4?
Witness-l won't swear positively
whether did or not.
Attorney-If you had been sure il was
your wife, would you have kissed her
Here the witness looked around un-
easily for few seconds and not seeing
his wife in the Court room, answered
with grin, No"
This caused another general laugh and
the witness left the stand. He was more
than astonished 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 pitia
bic appearance and made himself as small
as possible behind Constable Metcalf.
No man in the Court would have changed
places with him for thousand dollars.
Mrs. Adams had been subpenaed for
the prosecution, but her hu band labored
under the mistaken belief that she had
been excused. The District Attorney
must have known that it was dangerous
to put her on the stand, but he probably
could not resist the temptation. She was
more than anxious to testify.
1--WE were having little social party
Mt our house last Tuesday evening, was
sitting beside my husband on the sofa
when he asked me to go across the room
and introduce couple o! people who
weren't acquainted. l went, and just
then the light went out. Soon after Miss
CLARK, the girl that came with Meeker,
slid over toward my husband-that man
sneaking down behind the Consta ble.-
Then heard 'ern kissing l told Meeker
that it was n put up job, and he knocked
my husband down. thought he did just
right.
Miss Lucy Clark who lives on North
Stewart street, testified that she was set
ting near Mr.. Adams when the light
went out. Every body was rushing to kiss
the girls and she thought she would get up
near Mr.. Adams for protection he being
a married man. [Great merriment. in
WhiSh thO S"eit uhWil"B ~ yolltu j
District Attorney-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 spectators
laughed uproariously, end II required
several minutes TO restore order.
Miss Clark declined to answer, and the
Court decided that she need not criminate
herself.
A young lad named Armstrong, neph-
ew of Adams, swore that his uncle prom
ised him a dollar to blow out the light
when he gave the signal. Adams scratched
the top Of his head as signal. He gave
the signal just after his wife left him.
The jury found verdict of not guilty.
When Adams next has occasion 10
scratch his head, it is probable that he
will find less hair than when he scratched
it the last time. Virginia Chronicle.
Npu w y IN TREAT DIpua urprA