Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-10-15
ACALAMITOUs KISS.
The AtrociOus Conduct Of "a Mar
ried Man.

From the Virginia Chronicle.
Yesterday afternoon John Meeker
was tried before Justice Knox on charges
of disturbing the peace and assault and
battery. The case grew out OF distur-
bance which took place at a social party
at Mr.. Adams house on South street.
II 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.
Adams. in the course OF the evenings
festivities, began 10 take liberties with
the girl, and Meeker raised row, which
ended in an assault on Adams.
Adams, the complaining witness testl-
fed that while the frolic was in progress
the defendant charged him with i'm
proper conduct toward the young lady
lIe brought there, and finally assaulted
him, striking him once IN the eye leye
exhibited to the jury
Attorney for the defence: Mr.. Adams,
did YOU not deport yourself in an UNI
seemly way toward the young ladyl
The witness: Not altogether.
Attorney: Now, didn't YOU hug her?
Witness: Yes, by mistake. The
jury look at one another in astonish-
ment)
Attorney: Please explain.
Witness: was sitting on the sofa
alongside my wife when suddenly a gust
Of wind put out the light. After the
light was extinguished heard noise as
if people were getting kissed [sensation, ]
so / thought I'd stand in. grabbed the
lady next 20 me, thinking ii 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 Metcalfl
Attorney: Did YOU kiss her?
Witness latter some hcsitatiOn): |
don't think | did.
Attorney Why are YOU not surei
Witness There was so much confusion
at the
Attorney Now don't you know You
did?
Witness: wont swear positively
whether did or not.
Attorney: If you had been sure it
was your wife, would you have kissed
her.
Here the witness looked round un-
easily for lew seconds, and not seeing
his wife in the Court-roOm, answered,
with grim, "No.'
Hrhis caused another general laugh and
the witness lett the stand. llcwas more
than a,tOnishcd a moment alter when
his wiie was called. She swept out rom
the back room and took the stand, with
her black ewes swapping like Il terriers.
Attic sight Of her, Adams presented Il
pitiable appearance and made himself as
small as possible behind Constable Met
elf. No man IN the courtroom would
nave changed places with him Tor
thousand dollars.
Mrs. Adams has been subpTn"d for
the prosecution, but her husband labor
eel under the mistaken belief that she
had been excused. The district attor-
ncv must have known that il was danger
ouS To- put her on the stand, but he prob
ably could not resist the temptation.
She was more than anxious to testify.
I'VE were having little social party
AZ our house last Tuesday evening. was
sitting hv my husband on the sofa when
he asked me Ia 90 across the room and
Introduce couple OF people that wcrcn' I
acquainted. went, and just then the
Iight went out. Soon after Miss Clark,
the girl that came with Mcckcr, slid over
toward NV husband that man sncaking
down behind the constable. Then ]
heard 'cm kissing. told Mcckcr that
il was a put up job, and lac knocked my
husband down. thought he did just
right.
Miss Lurv Clark, who lives on North
Stewart 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
yet up near Mr.. Adams ior protection,
Inc bcing married man. IGreat mcrri-
mcnt in which the court unwilllngly
joined.
District Attorney Did he kiss you?
Miss Clark lblushingl He thought !
was his vile.
The Court: Did YOU kiss him back,
thinking he was yOur husband?
Atihs sally OI the court the spectators
laughed uproariou,lv, and II required
several minutes To restore order.
Miss Clark declined to answer, and
the court decided that she need not
cIiminatc herself
\ Young lad' named Armstrong, Il
nephew oi Adams, swore that his uncle
promised him dollar TO blow out the
Iight when he gave the signal. Adams
scratched the top OF his head a. a signal.
He gave the signal just rs his wife leit
him.
The jury returned q verdict OF not
gully.
When Adams next has occasion TO
scratch his head, it is probable that he
will find less hair there than when he
scratched it the last time.