Evening journal., 1911-01-19
ADivorceCase
BY EVAN BURLlNG
Copyright, 1910. by American Press
Association.

trash pettyfogger. De lawyer TO de
wife is Tom Barber, a nigger. II
Mist Hicks thinks kaze he was gradi-
waited at de University Of Virginny he
kin teach de cot how TO try de case
he mighty much mistaken"
The judge paused and glared at Mr..
Hicks, as much as 20 say that IL he
presumed to find fault with the courts
rulings he would be jailed for con-
tempt.
DE fust evidence is 70 Geo'ge
Washington to say why he want TO
git rid Of Ginnie," the judge contin-
ued, and Mr.. Hicks, knowing that his
time had come. called william ellison,
very black negro, TO the stand. Aft
er getting I'm the preliminaries the law
yer asked:
where were you on the 18th Of
October lastT'
"walkin' by Geo'ge washington's
house"
"Tell the jury what you saw on that
occasion"
II saw Aaron Arnold go into de
yard, and / saw Mrs. Washington
washin clothes in a tub just outside
de kitchen. Aaron he stole up behind
Mrs. Washington, put he arms around
her and hug her"
Gentlemen Of the jury" said the
lawyer. Il would explain that Aaron
Arnold is the correspondent In this
case"
The jury looked at one another
Then the foreman glanced appeallngly
at the judge.
"De correspondent" his honor inform
ed them, ''is de rascill or de gal what
comes into de family to break 1t up"
Exactly, your honor" said Mr..
Hicks. "Now. William ellison, tell the
jury how Mrs. Washington received
Aaron Arnold's caress."
The witness looked wildly about
about him, as II afraid Of something.
II was evident that the word caress
had frightened him
"Caressin'," the judge informed him,
as what Miste' Arnold done at de
washtub. Now, tell de cot what Gin
ME Washington done to de corre-
sponder."
'Missus Washington" said the wit
ness, summoning courage, "she up an
hit Miste' Arnold ober de haid wild de
washboard."
This bit OF evidence was unexpected
by the attorney for the plaintiff. He
didn't seem to know what to say next.
Presently he decided:
Call George Washington.
George Washington" he said when
the husband took the stand and had
answered few preliminary questions,
you say you saw the defendant enter
your yard, steal up behind your wife
and hug her. Now. did your wife re-
ceive his endearments as the last wit
ness testlfed?"
''No. sab"
'How did she receive them?"
"She didn't need TO take de wash
board She got knuckles lax iron.
She fist hauled off and TUX Miste' Ar
mold under de jaw and sent him sprawl
in on de grass. Ef you don't beliebe,
jedge, how hard ma wife kin hit all
yo' got to do Is to bring her into cot
and let her try 1t on yo'self. Look a
hea'"
He pointed TO a scar on his cheek.
The plaintiffs attorney was again
nonplused. The Judge took up his
cause.
"Geo'ge Washington, wha' To- yo'
TAX up de time OBJ dis cot tryin' to git
dlvo'ce from yo' wife on account OF
such evidence as dis2 Do yo' reckon
to prove yo' wife bad woman kaze
when Miste' Arnold put he arm about
her she hit him7"
Eyes. Judge. / want to prove dat
ma wife might hard 'ooman to lib
Wild"
The Judge looked puzzled, but was
equal to the occasion.
"Ginnie Washington he said, what
To- yo' hit yo' husban', who befo' dc
Lawd yo' promise TO iub honah an
obey 2"
"Jedge. / neve' hit ma husban' dat
way but once. Dat was when Pinkey
Smith was washin' clothes and seer
Geo'ge come up behind her and put he
arms aroun' her and give her a smack
There was another pause.
"Why didn't YOU apply for di
vo'cer' asked the Judge.
'Kaze didn't want no divoce no
how. I kin TAX keer OF my OF man
and don't want no cot and no lawyer
10 help me. Wheneber ketch him
foolin' list put my fist on him. and
he don't do II no mo-. for a spell any
way. De wimmen bring 2 heap oi
trouble ,on demselves, iedge-anyway
de weak ones does, and eben dey
might do bette'-by not trainin deli
husban's. Lots Of fool wimmen sller'
! tryin' to lead odder wimmen's foo
husban's or. but dere hain't no neces
satory 70 It. Ennyway. my husban
dom try dat on ag'in after I hit hin
once. And what's de cot good fo'-t,
glib de husban' divo'ce and let him e
, or wild anudder wooman and leabe HI
, wife TO TAX keer oh de chillenr'
, This harangue had a marked eftec
on the Judge.
"Geo'ge Washington" he said. "yo
good fer nothin' Niger. yo' git out o
DIS co'troom, go home and behave 20
self, Dis cot hain't no place for mig
gers to git divo'ces kaze dey want q
marry somebody else dat haint a
good as deIr own wife. What is d
next case?"
Mr.. Satterheld In Town.