The Daily State Register

A BLOODY INCIDENT.
[From the San Joaquin Republican.]
When sleigh riding with girls it is an old custom to collect toll in the shape of one kiss, and as many more as you can snatch while crossing the bridge.
Young men who remember the custom have fallen into the habit of enforcing it on railroad cars at the moment when the train is passing through a dark tunnel. It is very pleasant, as our experimental knowledge enables us to testify, and you know how it is yourself. Here's an account of one of things which, though sweet, turned out rather sanguinary to one of those the parties. People who have traveled over the Central Pacific Railroad between this city and Sacramento do not need to be told that there is a covered bridge over the Mokelumne river, and that as the train passes through those in the cars find themselves in a mellow evening gloaming very provocative of kissing, provided one should chance to find himself beside something pretty enough to kiss. Here again we must remark: "You know how it is yourself." Well, on the excursion train from this city to McConnell's grove last Saturday there were a number of very kissable young ladies, and on the return trip as the train was passing through the Mokelumne river bridge, a young gentleman bethought him to collect toll from his fair companion, and he went for her dewy lips, but the young lady didn't see it—how could she in the dark?—and in the scuffle she gave him one on the nob. The little tap was doubtless more vigorously dealt than she intended. At any rate as the train plunged again into glowing day those in the immediate vicinity noticed the claret flowing in a steady stream from the young man's nose.
Moral—When you attempt to kiss a girl in a tunnel or bridge always be sure that she is willing to be tolled, or else hold her hands.