Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-08-14
WONDERFUL WOOING.
John Mauley's Striking Innovation
In Courtship.
His Enchantress Never Even Looked ut
Him, Yet He Talked to Her Every
Morning-The Justice to
the Rescue.

The late Peter Foote, who for years pre-
sided as justice at the Armory police court,
offcated at one Of the quee rest wedding
ceremonies in the annals Of civll-law mar
riages.
One OF the posts which support the ceiling
Of the courtroom rises at the front edge OF
the desk behind which the justice was
seated. On one side of the post the police
officers are accustomed to place the accused
person, and on the other side the plaintiff
and witnesses stand. The post makes a
dividing line between the two parties to the
suit, and If either OF them wishes be may
prevent the other from seeing his face by
standing close to the post and leaning over
the "bar."
DRINKS and disorderlies had occupied the
attention OF the court for an hour or more
when the case Of John Mauley was called,
on the charge Of disturbing the peace"
policeman brought the man from the
lookup and stationed him before the bar
where he swore TO tell the truth, the whole
truth and nothing but the truth. He was
hne-lookng man, with courageous blue
eyes, and had the appearance Of being we'll
TODD.
The clerk called the name of the COM
plainant, Mary Wellspring. A woman who
had been seated in the courtroom with her
called and was reluctantly led before the
court. In approaching the bar she turned
her head away as IL she was reluctant TO see
the prisoner. 1t was not until she had
gained the shelter of the post that she re-
moved the vail from her face and looked at
the justice.
She was fair, almost beautiful, with a
good figure and an air of gentle breeding.
Upon being sworn she stated in low voice
that the defendant had habitually annoyed
her upon the tram from the suburb in
which she lived. She was obliged to ride on
the same train daily, as 1t was the only one
which would get her to the city in time to
be promptly at her place of employment
The defendant got on at a station nearer the
city than her own and always sat down be-
hind her and engaged her in conversation.
This had resulted In her being ridiculed by
her friends. They were always reminding
her Of her unknown admirer and on most
Inopportune occasions. She had become
weary Of this; she had never given him the
right TO be so familiar, and she could not
tell him to his face that he was annoying
her. He ought to have known that from
her actions, and she believed that he would
not desist even IL she spoke to him, for she
had discovered that he was very persist
emit. Finally he had proposed marriage to
her. This had decided her to have him ar
rested.
The Justice-I think this court has no
Jurisdiction In the case The offense was
committed outside the city limits.
The Plaintif-Partly, your honor. All
along the line between his station and the
city depot.
The Justice-I will take that point under
Amusement.
The Defendant-It is not q crime to pro-
pose marriage to woman.
The Justice-On the contrary. What do
you say to thatl
The Plaintiff-The charge is disturbing
the peace, which in this case means annoy
Ing a defepseless woman.
The Justice-Are you guilty or not sirl
Have care how you answer. The charge
is grave and you are under oath.
The Defendant-Not guilty, your honor.
The Justice-You have almost admitted
having proposed to this woman. Do YOU
deny all the facts antecedent to the proposal
OF which she complaints
The Defendant plead not guilty on the
charge Of annoying her.
The Justice-Whyl
The Defendant-Every womanly woman
likes to be made love to.
The Plaintiff with sob)-I am not un-
womanIy, your honor.
The Defendant (triumphantly)- told you
sol
The Justice lin loud voice)-Silence in
the COURT
The Plaintih-He is a brute
The Justice-You charge the defendant,
John Mauley, with annoying youl
The Plaintih-Yes, your honor.
The Justice And the prisoner is John
Mauleyl You identify him as the man whC
annoyed youl
The Plainnff-If he is John Mauley he is
the man who annoyed me.
The Justice (impatiently)-B is the pris
ouer John Mauleyi
The Plaintiff have never seen Mr
Mauley.
The Jvstice-Never seen the man whom
you accuse of annoying youl
The Plaintiff can describe him. He II
very large.
The Justice-How do you knowl
The Plaintiff-Because he always sits
down in the center OF the car seat and il
always pufiug when he does. He carries
q cane.
The Justise-what makes you think sol
The Flaintf-Because hear him put II
IN tho corner OF the seat. He is near hil
second childhood.
The Justice-Whyl
The Plaintiff Because he is always eat
ing peanuts. He is Republican Want 70
know why's
The Justice-Yes
The Plaintiff Because he buys the Trib-
une and the Times and gives me the
Times to read while be reads the Tribune.
The Justice-You read his newspaper
every morning and yet you say. you never
gave him any encouragement. RemeoAbeI
your oath.
The Plaintiff he leans over the back Of
my seat and says 'NGood morning" lool
out OF the window without replying Their
no lays the paper on my lap and says
There's something very interesting in thu