River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-11-13
4 DANCING DILEMMA.
Who Takes the Heads and Who the 'Sides''
in q Set.

in a Set.
Virginia, New, Chronicle.
Charles Clarkson was tried Yesterday
for assaulting William Mitchell on Fri
day evening last. The parties reside in
this city, but the trouble took place at
ball given on American Flat. Mitchell
testified that he went down TO American
Flat last Friday evening, to attend bali
given for the benefit of poor widow.
AS a rule. he did not care much for so
cial dances, but he went to this one 10 as
sist he widow. While a quadrille was
forming on the floor he noticed that
Clarkson, who had taken a position on
the side, went across and whispered TO
couple opposite him. He overheard
enough to know that conspiracy was
forming between the two side couples to
dance the first fgure-a figure always
danced in wellregulated bathrooms by the
head couples. He determined to assert
his rights, and as soon as the music
struck up and the order given TO ''for'ard
and back" he broke for the centre of the
floor. All of the dancers of his set did
same, and the result was that there was a
violent quadrilateral collision. Clarkson
suddenly hauled off, and hit the witness
in the eye. The fight then became gener-
al, and for the next ten minutes that
famous society event known as Ian
nigan's ballw wasn't a circumstance to
the scene of confusion there enacted
During the row, Mitchell received a black
eye and swelled nose from Clarkson's
energetic fist.
Clarkson next took the stand and swore
that he and his girl were at the end of the
set, and were not a side couple at all. He
had been at BAH 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. lie had started to dance as
designated by the cracks, and knew he
was right. lie admitted that he had
BACKED the compliments eye, but he
made principle at dance to hold mis-
own against all Corners He would allow
no man on earth to indulge in any funny
business" at his expense.
Thomas Jenkins, man who had furn.
ished the music tor the dance, was put
on the stand. lie said it was usual to
dance lengthwise of the cranks, unless
the hall was longer the other way.
The court don't exactly understand
you.
Witness--If the cracks run lengthwise
of the hall the head couple dance along
the cracks, and if the hall is larger across
the cracks, why they dance across 'em.
The court-Suppose you have square
room carpetad, and no cracks in sight
what do you do in that case?
The witness-You dance toward the
music.
The court-Whcrc was the music on
this occasion?
The wimcss-In the corner.
The court-If the cracks ran across the
hall, and the hall was larger the other
way, and the music was in the corner,
how could you expect the people to dance
straight?
The witness was completely dumb
founded by this joint consolidated ques-
ton. lie made no reply, but stared help
lessly about the room. He was finally
dismissed. Several other witnesses ties.
titled 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, did you notice
any cracks 2" and answered promptly.
II got a crack on the head with a
stove poker, and it ran north and south,
as near as / can recollect'
This reply caused some merriment, but
the constable was fully equal to the occa'
sion.
John r. Briggs, who was at the ball
told his experience in this way
when the row opened up | sashayed
over to the centre of the room and got q
lit under the ear, and let my left at a
man who hit me-"
Justice Moses Gocosely)-A sort of al
leyman lett movement, eh?''
The witness-Yes your honor. Then
got kicked in the stomach, and the wo'
men screamed, and the lights went out
got some fellows head in chancerv and
hammered away at it as long as L cou Id
hold it.
The district Attorney-Didn't you
know who it was?
The witness-Haven't any idea. | was
just trying to hold my chances level with
the crowd.
The case then went to the jury, who re-
turned n verdict of not p1iltv