The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1911-03-17
.ADivorceCase
By EVAN BURIlNC
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

OC case oSAo uc jury - y OlvVC0
case" said the Judge. "Geo'ge Wash
ington is tryin' to git rid Of his wife,
GIMME Washington. De corresponder
is Aaron Arnold. De lawyer TO- Dc
husban', Josiah Hicks, Is a poo white
trash pettyfogger. De lawyer TO- de
wife Is Tom Barber, a niger. 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 elared at Mr..
Hicks, as much as to say that II he
presumed to find fault with the courts
rulings he would be jailed for con-
tempt.
de fust evidence II To- Geo'go
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 in the preliminaries the law
yer asked:
Where were you on the 10Th Of
October lastY'
"Walkin' by Geo'ge washington's
house."
"Tell the jury what you saw on that
occasion"
Il 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 appealingiy
mt the Judge.
"De correspondent" bis honor inform
ed them, lis de- rascill or de gal what
comes into de family to break II up"
Exactly. your honor" said Mr..
Hicks. Nov, 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.
1t was evident that the word caress
had frightened him.
"Caressin'," the Judge informed him.
"ls what Miste' Arnold done at de
washtub. Now, tell de cot what Gin
nile 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 az the last wit
ness testiAedY"
NO sah."
How did she receive themY"
"She didn't need to take de wash
board. She got knuckles lax iron.
She jist hauled of and TUX Miste' Ar
mold under de jaw and sent him sprawl
In on de grass. Ell 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
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 Oh dis cot tryin' to git
divo'ce from yo' wife on account Of
such evidence as dist Do yo' reckon
to prove yo' wife bad woman kaze
when Miste' Arnold put he arm about
her she hit him?
"Yes, Judge. want to prove dat
ma wife might hard CONAN to lib
wild"
The Judge looked puzzled, but was
equal to the occasion.
"Gtnnie Washington" he said, what
TO yo' hit yo' husban', who befo' de
Lawd yo' promise to Tub. honah an
obey?"
ledge. l neve' hit ma husban' dat
way but once. Dat was when Pinkey
Smith was washin' clothes and I seen
Geo'ge come up behind her and put no
arms aroun' her and give her smack"
There was another pause.
"Why didn't you apply for a di.
voice.? asked the Judge.
"Kaze I didn't want no divo'ce no.
how. kin tax keer Of my Oh man,
and don't want no cot and no lawyer
to help me. Wheneber I ketch him
foolln' jist put my flst on him, and
he don't do It no mo-, for q spell any
way. De wimmen bring . heap Of
trouble on themselves. jedge-any way
de weak ones does, and chen dey
might do bette'-by not trainin' deir
husban's. Lots of fool wimmen alters
tryin' to lead odder wimmen's fool
husban's OF. but dere hain't no neces-
Satory TO- 1t. Ennyway. my husban'
don try dat on ag'in after I hit him
once. And what's de cot good fo'-to
Glib de husban' a divo'ce and let him go
off wild anudder woman and leabe he
wife to tax keer oh de chillenY'
This harangue had marked effect
on the judge.
"GeO'pe WaahiuOtnn hn .otA too,