Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-01-10
LFRoM OUR REGULAR CONSEQUENTLY
New YORK, Jan. 8.

A few weeks ago | had occasion to write of
the Stokcs-Mansfeld Fisk scandal, and to eX-
press hope that by this time stop would be
put to its public notice by wiping from judicial
existence the judges who suffered the publica-
ton of its vile details to aront us from week to
week duly as the Sabbath dawned Neither nor
any other man could have dreamed that an awful
tragic scene would be interpolated into this nfa-
nous farce. Would that it were to be the last.
But this cannot be. There is another to come
wherein the gallows stands in the distance but
still 50 clear to view that it is the one thing
which, of all others, is the leading feature of the
mise en- scene.
Saturday, January 6, was cold sharp day.
1t was understood that at the uptown police
court, known as "Yorkville," another scene in
the Fisk-Mansfeld farce was to be played. This
was enough to draw the idlers who have nothing
particular 10 do. Our enterprsing newspapers
were of course represented by their quickest re-
pOrters; for tomorrow would be Sunday, and
there is a sharp rivalry as TO who shall get up
the "spicicst" sheet for that day. So the the
atre-I beg the Judges pardon, the court room
was densely thronged. Most of the stars were
promptly on hand. The counsel were there,
ready for fun, for though on the stage our
rogues' lawyers blackguard each other in
Il style altogether beyond anything re-
cognzed in the fish market, out of
the theatre, which they call the court,
they are hail-ftllows, well met. AT Dclnonico's,
| dare say, the venerable McKeon would pal take
a friendly "sme" with Beach, or Spencer with
Graham. The Mansfield and Stokes were there,
got up in gorgeous array, miracles of the art of
tailor and mliner. The reporters, while waiting
for the curtain to rise, had abundant time to take
an inventory of Stokes Mansfield wardrobe; the
"iashion I'd tor" of their respective papers could
not have done it better. One thing was lacking
Fisk who was expected 10 play leading part
was not there. He was engaged elsewhere
Quite unconsciously TO himself, he had been set
down for the afterpiece, which was to be a
tragedy. He had played many parts, but this
was to be his last, on any earthly theatre.
In due time the stage manager camc,-his
name is BiXby, in this theatre they call him
Judge-and the curtain rose. Stokes of the
faultless trowsers, appeared. The point of the
farce was that Beach-who, if the reporters are
judicial theatre-was to prick Stokes with
sharp stick, while McKeon, venerable actor,
was TO see to it that Beach struck fairly accord
ing to the rules. On the whole old McKeon got
rather the best of it. Beach did not hurt Stokes
much. This scene passed off rather quietly.
Then the Mansfield, leading lady in the farce,
appeared. The action of this scene was much
much ike that of the previous one. Beach was
20 prod her if he could If he hit foul, McKeon
was to cry "no hit" and if the objection was al.
owed, the hit went for nothing. Beach struck
eagerly, Mansfield parricd dextrously, and the
laugh OF the audience was quite on her side;
McKeon had little need to interpose
At last Beach made quick slight
thrust, whether an accidental one on
that for which he had res, rived himself, no.
body knows. He asked the Mansfield il she did
not remember the time, not many months ago,
when she first met Fisk; and ii at that time
She did not own that the dress which she had on
was not the only prcscntable one in her posses.
sion She denied this, averrng that she had
never been so hardly u2 as that. But to nc
asked in open court whether. only few months
ago, she had but one good dress, and that only
a checked silk, was TOO much for her nerves.
She had stood every other question without
ainching. Here she broke down, and if the re-
porters are to be trusted, great tears welcd out
from behind her embroidered handkerchief.
McKeon sprang TO the rescue, and, after some
wordy fence between him and Beach, the play
went On for a little. But il had lost its interest.
ActoIs and auditors wanted their dinners. SO
the curtain was runa down; or, in other words,
the court adjourned The reporters went 10
thcir offices, fearing that, do the best they could
with their notes, the Sunday papers which they
represented would be rather heavy.
Stokes and Mansfield rode off together no.
body apparently imagining that this was TO he
the last scene Of the farce What ensucd for the
next two or three hours is not vet fairly known
! note only few things which seem certain
Stokes, having lett the Mansfield at her home.
went TO take quiet dinner at DeImoneo's with
bis counsel. Hele II is said that they were cas-.
uaally met by enc Of our Judges who informed
the panty that Stokes had been Indicted by a
proper court, and that an order Tor his arrest
had been issued. This staten mt is however.
denied; whether it is true or false | have no
means now Of ascertainng. give it only as a
current report.
But Stokes vanished from Dslmonco'3; and
for another two houis we have no sure trace Of
his whereabouts AT four O'Clock, when the
day was fast wearing away, light coupe drove
10 The door Of the Grand Central hotel, in Broad
way. From this, a well-drcssed man alighted,
and ascenAed the stairs. just after, goudy
carriage, which every one knew to be that Of
Jamcs Fisk, drove up. The occupant alighted
entered the hotel, and assembled the stairs. Just
before he reached the last step, man appeared
from passage. Some say word or two was
spoken; some say there was nOle The truth
will most likely come out on the coming trial
AZ all events, whether or no any words we're
spoken, Two quick shots were fired by the man
] ~ the bead VI tbe stairs upon the one ascend.