The New York herald., 1875-11-09
THE COURTS.
Trials and Tribulations of an In
fant Trapezist.
THE DES ASGES TRIAL NEARING ITS CLOSE
New Orders to the Erie Railway Com
Pany Receiver.

There rather motley group yesterday in the
Supreme Court General Term, and the occasion
mat drew them there unusual The infant
lrapeze performer known in the matter -offact every
day world as 'Freddy Berger,n but his dimnulive
tights cleaning with sivery hue, he eappears on the
Hapeze as Little Prince Leo the cause or this
somewhat curious assembage. The facts leading 70
he appearance Of the youthful acrobat in
have already been published in the HERALD, il simply
being the sequence OF two warrants issued by Judge
Donohue or the Supreme Court at the instance OF Mr.
Wright President Of the Society for the Prevention OF
Cruelty Children, or the warrants directing the
boy TO be taken out OF the charge OF his
guardian, VALE Leonard, and the other directing
lho o the latter the charge Of mareatng tho
child II IS very certain that prince Leo who Il
only years old failed fully comprehend the
situation He sat very contentedy the lap OF bis
new custodian and while the great humanitarans OF
The day, Mr. Wright and Mr Bergh, looked grave with
deeply stirred sympathies while tho lawyers
Mr. Elbridge Gerry being the represen.
latve q the humanitarian element and
Mr.. Langbien the legal defender or the
rights al the sock and buskin fraterny-looked pro-
foundy puzzled and while the prisoner Leonard looked
very much out Of place and dsconcerted in this decid
edl, role TO him. the boy, with childish simplicity,
amused himself with various Toys Meantime his looks
did not betray any evidence Of special cruelty ior his
cheeks were iu and ruddy his eyes bright and spark
ling, and bis smile one Of happy content
There was considerable testimony taken, but alter
all nothing very special additional 10 what has already
been published. The boy, who nrst Called gave his
statement, objection being made TO hrs being sworn on
Of his extreme youth and consequent inability
TO comprehend the nature Of oath. lie was unable
10 tell his age, but pointed out In court whom he
had been taught his father, who he SAID with
Leonard, taught HIM the light rope business lie sad
that Leonard had struck hlm with strap and Kicked
him. but on being questioned as TO Why nc was thus
matreated began TO cry piteously and II being found
Impossible to s0Othe him INTO anything like reasonable
quiet, his further examination was abandoned
The other testimony went TO show that occasions
Leonard had pulled the boys and nose, but this
qualified by the statement that this the way
be treated other acrobas Witnesses also testified 10
the boy's during his performance the trapeze
Bth OF November said that the boy walked along the
rope in tremulous manner, evidently fearful from his
rountenance; he had nothing OF the cheerful expression
of acrobats, but the contrary, reminded him OF the
appearance OF dog which used TO be every day al
The corner OF Houston street and Broadway, looking
miserable He added that the child this occasion
had bandage eyes wnie performing and there
netting under the rope. Mr. Jenkins Secretary
OF the Society for the Prevention OF Cruelty Children
into detail TO the chila's terror He said
that the child's face had painful expression during
the whole performance that besides these flesh coored
tights the child had nothing on but bIndage about
the abdomen which drawn tight that, in his
opinion, 1t interiered with circulation; that the boys
limbs appeared emacated, and that the temperature
was cold that he had to button up bis coat TO
keep warm. Another witness testified that although
there netting under the boy, Leonard and
another walked underneath 10 catch MIN should
he fall THIS closed yesterdays testimony. Further
evidence Will be taken tomorrow.