New Britain herald., 1918-01-17
TICKLISH, NERVOUS,
 PLAYFUL, IS BERTHA
"Gal From YirSinny" and "CuDud
 Gentleman in Court

Bertha DaV1S, a DuAoLh Soiluu
 woman who introduced herself to Judge John H. Kirkham in police court this morning as "a Virginny gal what am inclined, your honor judge, to be ticklish, nervous and playful" and Daniel Heddelson. a ''cullud 'gentleman' who also admitted that he was possessed of "a nervous dis position but wouldn't harm a lady fo' de worp, no sah, your honor judge" were arraigned in court this morning on charges of breach of the peace and assault. They were ar rested in the Chestnut street house adjacent to the Corbin garage by Sergeant Theodore Johnson at 2 o'clock last night after the woman had accused Heddelson of choking her and stealing $75 from her and the man had accused her of pulling a knife on him. In conclusion each accused the other of taking undue ad- vantage by committing the alleged assaults when they were alone to- gether in the house. The case was continued in bonds of $1OO until Sat urday while the police may take fur ther investigation as a result of the Davis woman's allegations that He'd delson was running a disorderly hause and "a speak easy" gin mill.
 When the Davis woman took the stand she haughtily declared that she was "a Virginny gaP' and that her husband, who is porter on a rail- road train, was away last night, other wise Heddelson would not have taken 96V2nt9 orc nf her Sha fold a ing been rooming at Heddelson's house since Christmas. 'eY' all know judge yo' honor, ahm a great gal for always playing and fooling. Y'all know, tickling and pushing, like that but ahm ver' nervous too and las night ah was all alone in that house with that man when he jus natcherly attacked me. He done toP me he what he almos' choked to death once and he up an choked me till de blood come out ma nose," the woman tes- tifed. She also declared that after assaulting her Heddelson stole s75 which she had concealed in her waist. In connection with her testimony she declared that Heddelson runs "a speak easy'' house and sell liquor il- legally.
 Heddelson, who is a lame man, ex- perienced considerable difficulty when he essayed to walk to the witness box but when no sympathy was, forthcom- ing he quickened his step and arrived safely He denied the assault but said: "Ahm a yer nevous man judge; ah have a ver' nervous disposition and she was under the influence of booze and hhp6 0 knife nd me. Course ah don't know if she
 meant anything, but in taking the knife away ah got cut" Heddelson further tetified that he would never have laid hand on the woman had she not attacked him and he likewise de- nied stealing her s75 and explained that when she paid her board that
 morning she protested that she only had four or five dollars left and want ed to get some before her husband came home.
 When Heddelson was arrested he l claimed that the few dollars in his | pocket was all that separated him 1 from the almShOuSe, but when the l police searched his room they found l S450 in hundred dollars bills, fifty 1 dollar bills and bills of smaller de nomination hidden behind a trunk 1 Today he admitted that this money ! was his and he told the cop a story 1 because "ah wuz scairt, judge y( honor"
 Before the case was finally contin
 ued the Davis woman begged the 1 court to let her go down to Schenec ] tady to ma sisters and ah'n be satis 1 fled if ah can jest hav' ma carfar, 1 there.'
 l What ah do now?' she queriet | when told that the case had been con | tinued.
 ''The police will take care of you, ! replied Prosecutor G. w. Klett.