A CALAMITOUS KISS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1853, 30 January 1880, Page 2

A CALAMITOUS KISS.

[American Paper.] John Meeker was tried before Justice Knox on charges of disturbing the peace and assault and battery. The case grew out of a disturbance which took place at a social party at Mr Adams' house, on South F. street. It appears that the defendant, Meeker, had been invited to a little party at Adams' house. He attended the party, taking his sweetheart. Adams, the complaining witness, testified that while the frolic was in progress the defendant charged him with improper conduct towards the young lady he brought there, and finally assaulted him, striking him once in the eye. (Eye exhibited to the Jury). Attorney for the defenee—Mr Adams, did you not deport yourself in an unseemly way toward the young lady t The witness —Not altogether. Attorney—Now, didn't you hug her ? Witness—Yes, by mistake. (The jury looked at one another in astonishment).

Attorney—Please explain. Witness—l was sitting on the sofa, along side my ■wife, when suddenly a gust of wind put oat the light. After the light was extinguished I heard a noise as if people were getting kissed (sensation), so I thought I'd stand in. I grabbed the lady next to me, thinking it was my wife, and when the lamp was relighted I found it was Miss Clark I had hold of. (The laughter in the room was checked by constable Metca'f.) Attorney—Did you kiss her ? Witne'ss (after some hesitation) —I don't think I did ? Attorney—Why are you not sure ? Witness—There was so much confusion at the time. Attorney—Now don't you know you did ? Witness —I won't swear positively whether I did or not. Attorney—lf you had been sure it was your wife would you have kissed her ? Here the witness looked around uneasily for a few seconds, and not seeing his wife in the Court room, answered, with a grin, "Mo." This caused another general laugh and the witness left the stand. He was more than astonished a moment after when his wife was called. She swept cut from the back room and took the stand with her black eyes snapping like a terrier's. At the sight of her Adams presented a pitiable appearance, and made himaelf as small as possible behind constable Metcalf. No man in the Courtroom would have changed places with him for a thousand dollars. Mrs Adams had been subpcenaed for the prosecution, but her husband labored under the mistaken belief that she had been exceed. The District Attorney must have known that it was dangerous to put her on the stand, but he probably could not resist the temptation. She was more than anxious to testify.

We were having a little social party at our house. I was Bitting beside my husband on the sofa when he asked me to go across the room and introduce a con pie of people that weren't acquainted. I went, and just then the light went ont. Soon after, Miss Clark, the girl that came with Meeker, slid over toward my husband—that man sneakiDg down behind the constable. Then I heard 'em kissing. I told Meeker that it was a put-up job, and he knocked my husband down. I thought he did just right. Miss Clark, who lives on North Stewart street, testified that she was sitting near Mr Adams when the light went out. Everybody was rushingto kiss the girls, and she thought she would get up near Mr Adams for protection, he being a married man. (Great merriment, in whioh the Court unwillingly joined). District Attorney—Did he kiss you ? Miss Clark (blushing)—He thought I was his wife. The Court—Did yon kiss him back, thinking he was your husband ? At this sally of the Court the spectators laughed uproariously, and it required several minutes to restore order. Miss Clark declined to answer, and the Court decided that Bhe need not criminate herself.

A young lad named Armstrong, a nephew of Adams', swore that his uncle promited him a dollar to blow out the light when he gave the signal. Adama scratched the tap of his head as a signal. He gave the signal just after his wife left him. The jury found a verdict of "Not Guilty." When Adams next has occasion to scratch his head, it is probable that he will find less hair there than when he scratched it the last time.