The Farmer And Mechanic

Kisses Don't Count.-The promiscuous and preposterous kissing-sociable-mock marriage case at New Utrecht, New York has been thrown out of court. It was admitted that the mock ceremony was performed and that the young couples kissed and hugged like as if they were on a bridal tour in real life and had an whole car full of passengers watching them: but the Judge intimated that the kisses couldn't count as matrimonial sticking-plaster.
The Justice reviewed the testimony, and said: "I do not think that Annie is so utterly depraved and lost to all sense of decency and modesty as to be guilty of doing what she says was done to consummate the marriage. Her subsequent conduct and that of her mother, who, according to her own testimony, was made aware of the fact two days afterward, is utterly inconsistent with the supposition that such an act had taken place. It is very evident to my mind that Miss Higbie, if left to herself, would never have claimed that she is the lawful wife of Walter Vaughan. In my opinion this proceeding has been instituted at the suggestion of persons who ought not to have exposed her to the gaze of the public. For what took place at the sociable the church under whose auspices it was held is not responsible. Such performances are the natural results of the loose notions of boys and girls, for which their parents are to blame."
Counsel for Mrs. Higbie announced that he should appeal to the Supreme Court.