The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-21
A RELLIGgRENT FEMALE.

Theatrical Scene i'm the Court Of SpecisA
sessions-Natildn Heron ON the Itsmpnae.
Shortly after the Court of Special Sessions was
opened Yesterday. and while Judge Shandley was
hearing O case OF assault and battery the numerous
occupants OF the room were surprised at seeing q
wen dressed and decidedly stylish appearing lady
enter, accompanied by what afterwards appeared
to be her waitIng maid. The lady moved down
the broad aisle towards the space enclosed BY the
iron railing with most majestic men and
measured tread, ana took a seat among the female
witnesses, In full view OF the assemblage Specula
ton at once became rife among the crowd on
THE SEATS OUTSIDE THE Raj.
as to VINO the evidently distinguished" parsonage
could be- and they were not long IN ascertaining
that she was none other than Miss Matilda Heron,
the actress. She had come there as witness In o
Of assault and battery in which an Intelligent
and well appearing colored woman, named FANNIE
Williams, was plainiin, and Miss Herons agent,
Mr.. Herman bernstein, was defendant The case
was soon Called and when the plaintiff had told her
story OF the affair. charging that MIR. bernstein had
cruelty beaten her the 9th day OF the present
janitor, Miss Heron was called by the counsel Tor
the defence. Rising in tragcal manner, sne
THE INTERVENING SPACE
between her seat ana the witness stand With the
same air that had characterized her recent eatrance
into the court room. Having been sworn she sank
back gracefully into the cnair provided Tor wit
nesses and scanned the scene before her after the
fashion OF Alexander Selkirk, when he exclaimed,
az am monarch or all survey" Counsel LOT the
defence asked her TO relate TO the Court IN as con-
else manner possible. what took place under
her observation Ill connection with the unhappy
affair.""
folds ner shoulders and Strengthening her.
self up in the chair the late distinguished actress
aWeI,n and as she spoke she assumed still
more tragic expression aud attitude Than sne had
done befOre-"Wel had been III Tor some weeks
partially paralyzed at times-and
WAS ON THE SOFA,
and my maid was rubbing my limbs and arms. Oh
was unable TO speak In sucn state as that,
and am scarcely able 70 speak now, but have
somewhat recovered. was bolstered up there,
use my limbs. FANNIE opened the door aud came
In, and l was quite surprised TO see nef'
b b1a ses sns mdss a1sr is ne sTy 81
to her.. Fannie came to the head OF ,ne SOFA cas
end rubbed my temples While Eza w was rom me
a little Fannie took her place ana sa,a 20 an,
Madame Mr. bernstein Is 1ao Of gom IN All my
Pe he Is the worst man knew she con-
tlnued; when whispered, he did not prove SO TO
me- a rus point the witness sank back In the chair
in manner which Indicated that she was very well
e"'''"'N THE MAGNIFICENT MANNER
she had acquitted herself suddenly starting up
again. however, and striking inc o'd s''i'"oe' she
INF. Hernstcin entered, and said: Are you herei
Go out of this ROOM you aren't NJ 10 stanu In tnlS
honorable lady's presence
Fanny replied Is she your wife p and was natu-
rally mortified at the question Mr.. Hernsicin said.
sThat "a none OF your business: you snail not stand
in this ladys presence and again she saSi, rs she
your wifeS' He replied, she Is a acyt and you
shall not insult her with your presence Fanny
then got hold OF his coat with her lett hand-lnere
the witness
DEMONSTRATED THE ACTION
OF the belligerent negressland hit nm In the len
eye above the cheek bone and the temple; was
more horrined than ever but / could not move, Of
conrse saw her knock him down, and Oh nave
seen cruetes aboard vessels Mississippi steamers,
in DULL rings and IN many lands, but never saw
anything ike tns; oh believe Inc, would rather
see an execution, your HOnOr.n
The witness then explained how the fight ended,
ana denied most positively that Mr.. bernstein
struck Fanny at AL. Miss Heron's maids testimony
was substantially the same as inat above gwen.
The case was dismissed