Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1889-07-31
Jawing in Jersey.

New Jersey Is probably the only state
In the Union in which, since pilgrim
father days, a woman has been tried and
punished as common scold." Mrs.
Mary Brady. of Jersey City, recently
had taste of "Jersey justice" in this
fashion.
1t seems that under the laws q man
cannot be scold. A scold is defined to
be troublesome and angry woman who
disturbs the public peace and is nui-
sance. The original punishment was by
means of the pleasing old English GUS
tom of the ducking stool. When she
found that out Mrs. Brady was a terri
fed woman. But it was at length de-
cided that this would be rather tough,
even for New Jersey, and the modern
and thoroughly unpoetical device of a
fine was resorted to.
The trial was one of intense interest to
Mrs. Brady's neighbors. 1t was an inn
mortal occasion and the prosecuting at
torney made use of it. He scared into
the blue empyrean:
common scold, quoth he, IS a woman who
goes jawing around the neighborhood disturbing
The peace of her neighbors, Women don't talk so
much now as they used to. In the olden times
they talked so much that the courts could not
stand 1t. They were indicted, and, when con-
victed, ducked in pond to cool them and drive
away the heat from their tongues. But am
sorry to say that the law today does not recog-
tho -frN ~
From which it will be seen that the
learned Mr.. Prosecutor Winfield himself
was no slouch at "jawing."
The truth of history compels the re-
cording of the fact that Mrs Brady had
red hair. Her chief offense seemed to
be that she called her neighbor-a highly
respectable lady of the name of Mrs.
Winifred Doody-"a gray haired old
hag." Once Brady amused the neigh
borhood by repeating this and other epi-
thets in loud voice during whole af-
ternoon. Another time Mrs. Doody's
husband timed Brady during one of her
prize scolds, beginning at 8 in the even
ing and ceasing the watch at 80 in the
morning, leaving Mrs. Brady still at it.
Few had good word for the accused,
but one of these was her own husband,
an inoffensive little man, weighing near
ly hundred pounds less than his wife,
who was fat. The husband said he had
lived with his wife twenty-nine years,
and by that time he thought he ought to
know her, and she was not scold at ALL
Being questioned, he admitted that she
might "jaw" him little for staying out
late at night. but he thought she had a
right to do that. Mr.. Brady was a re-
markably we'll regulated husband. His
evidence ought to have spoken volumes
in her favor, but it did not.
The jury decided in four minutes that
she was common scold. In sentencing
her the judge, as the prosecutor had
done, adorned the occasion with a dis
play of eloquence.
"Stand up" said he. Then he con-
tinued:
Mary Brady, from indications that were OBJ
served during your trial it was apparent that you
had talked too much, and it would have been
good thing if several of your neighbors had been
included in the Indictment. Scolds are plentieel
but that does not excuse you. People, especially
men, have horror of scolding women, and in
future you had better keep civil tongue in your
head and be sure you mind your own business
The auburn haired woman was fined
$25 and costs. After all, however, $35 is
not very dear price to pay for the priv
ilege of speaking ones mind. It is worth
it, every cent.