Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-11-02

Todds aggressive arrogance that stirred
the whole thing up and wouldn't let II
sleep" Mr.. Meredith INDUCED I'm what
he termed a little portrait painting. and
referred to Mrs. Hatcher as an intelli-
gent lady and 10 Mrs. Van Buren, as n
in the hands O. Mrs. Todd. who swayed
her any way she wanted.
MRS. TODD'S BEHAVIOR.
Continuing on the question OF Mrs.
Todd's actions. Mr.. Meredith asked II she
had any right 10 invade stores and in
suit and abuse the girls employed there
in why her own relatives complain OF
her" he said. III she can't behave her
self in her own household. why should
any one expect proper treatment from her
abroad? Was Mrs. Todd justified in as
Stunning the responsibility of tracing the
rumpr? Mrs Hatcher came on the stand
and said she had been accused Of being
a kleptomaniac. and said it In n man.
ner which would indicate that she cared
but little about IL. She wasn't Worried
but Mrs. Todd was All. Mrs. Todd will
lingly assumed the responsibility OF stiff
ing the rumor TO It's source. Why? Be-
cause she revealed In such things
Mr.. Meredith went into a dissection OF
Mrs. Goddins testimony, and then said
that the question had been asked why
they didn't summon Mr.. Miller. why"
said he. "he had been up In the study
with Mrs. Todd and We didn't want him.
| will tell you little anec lote as an
illustration of my meaning. On one oc-
casion Lamb was reading TO Thackeray,
and both had their heads over the book.
Lamb had a long nose and bad cold,
and was continually smiling and finally
Thackeray told him 10 blow his nose.
To this Lamb replied. blow II yourself,
IL IS as close to you as TO me-" In this
case Mr. Miller ie like the nose. He is
as close to the defendants as he is TO
US. and we don't want him.
THE QUESTION OF DAMAGES.
Mr.. Meredith went into an analysis Of
the evidence, and, with the instructions
as a guide. pointed out the most salient
points from his side Of the case. lie
then discussed the damages sustained By
his client, and said that II Mrs. Todd
made use OF the words which have been
proved TO have emanated from her she
was responsible for Miss Gibson's dis
charge. and she should be made to
nav damages. MIR. Carter has claimed"
said Mr. Meredith, that Miller &
Rhoads were afraid. Afraid Of what;
Mrs. Todd? Yes: Mrs. Todd had prac-
tically given them to understand that
they would lose trade unless they dis
charged Miss Gibson, and they dis
charged her. That's all there is TO H.
Miss Gibson Is entitled TO damages. Why,
the law compensates a man for lost lCg
or a lost arm; won't 1t give an innocent
woman compensation for injury to her
character, and consequent loss Of her POI
sition, by which she made her liveli-
hood?
There can be no question OF her be-
Il 70 nnp,napaafnrK- do
I'VE first found Mrs. Todd saying
Mrs. Goddin did it, then Mr.. Todd said
Mrs. Todd did Il, and IL you don't look
out you will find them all hiding behind
their pastor They have done wrong
and should be punished for the benefit
OF society, and my client should be given
punitive damages. | don't ask you for
damages for an able-bodled man, but for
a weak woman. whose opportunities in
life for making living are few.
1--WE have been told that we have lost
nothing by being out OF employment. and
that we can obtain employment In any
store on Broad street. Turning to Mr.
Carter sir do you take us for a two
headed calf that we should go on ex-
hibltion? Don't you know that We would
shrink from any such publicity from be-
ing stared at? My God. remember that
this young lady is OF the same sex as
your mother and my wife, and that she
is a LADY.
This sentiment brought forth an out
burst of applause from the dense crowd
in the courtroom, which the Sheriff was
some time in Quieting.
VERDICT PROMPTLY RETURNED.
Mr. Meredith submitted his case. and
the jury retired at 715 O'clock.
Forty minutes later the jury returned
to the courtroom, and. being asked II
they had agreed. replied. through their
foreman, Mr.. Snead, hat they had. The
verdict was then read, as follows:
1--WE. the jury. upon the issues joined,
find for the plaintiff, and assess her
damages at 500.
(Signed) ar. b. sNEAD,
u,