The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-01-25
A DEMENTED GODlVA.


REMARKABLE SCENE IN THE ToMBs POLICE
couRT-A SPECTRE ON THE BENCH.
The freezing wind whistlcd spiteiully around tho
corners of houses Prnce street, near Mott, yes
,erday morning, between seven and eight. o'clock and
Onlcer sc,lbelt, OF tho Fourteenth precinct as he
patrolied his post, buttoned his coat tightly and
looked longngly Tor his expected relief from duty 10
say therefore. that be was astonished at seeing
woman two blocks distant walking along the street
entirely devoid OF clothing but family expresses bis
feelings. Yet, sure enough there before his eyes was
q Young woman as nude Lady Godva in her historic
ride through Coventry.
Seilbelt punched his arm 10 himself that he
was not dreaming, aud becoming satisfied on that
point cutched his club and hurried alter the figure.
She saw him coming aud ran, but he, moro sprghtiy.
was soon by her side Charitaby throwing his over
coat around her sh,verng form, he took her into
neighbour ing grocery Here while no procured suitable
clothing he learned that sho poor insane woman,
Anne White, who lived ut No. 81 Prince street. He
conveyed her home and found that she had only
recently been released from the Insane Asylum ON
Black Wells lslapd where sho had been confined three
months. Her insanity was the result
of long continued illness. The unfortunate
young woman he ed, ihirtylve years of age
and by occupation bookioder. She resided with her
aged iathcr who, strange relate. also Insane.
ness, supported " u lew relatives.
only an hour before beng found in the street she
had arisen aud called her iather, to whom she SAID
that she had determined to 90 once more INTO the
world. soon uiterwnrd she Invested herself OF
all clothing, and, shouting IS. nd ior prlest!"
hastcncd into the street. lady living on the
first floor heard the request aud hurried Ior Father
Kear.cy, VINO was present when the oilicer arrived
Officer Seibct took the unfortunate creature to the
Tonbs aud placed nor in Judge Duiiys reception room
await his disposition OF other cases leaving her 10
charge of Officer McGowan. Now Oiiccr McGowan
hal
yious and was very very sleepy So he dropped INTO
an easy chair and wished nc was in bed. Slowly his
eycds began TO close and G,fully his head began TO
nod and ~ i've minutes the guardian OF the peace was
in dreamlaDd
Tho Insane woman watched her keeper with the pro-
verbal cunning OF her kind, ana tndiUg him sound
asleep silently opened the door leading to the sanctum
adjon ing the court, aud then softly stole through the
door which opens Tho judicial bench taking up her
position about i've Feet III Inc rear @. Judge puny ana
spectre long black cloak, with hood attached en-
veloped her from head 10 loot with only small open
lug 1T face which revealed CHASTITY and emac;ated
cuuu,enancc. Her eyes rocked wild and haggurd and
w,eidy started from their sockets; her compressed
lips livld, and her elevated arm and long point
my finger gave her the appearance OF risen from
tue grve she stood silent and inpassve as marble
statue.
the court room contained at the time only about
dozen beside the court ATTENDANTS aud officers
The former lons laziy paying but little atten-
each at hts duty. Judge Duly was buslly
engaged signing commitments, and the various clerks
Gus rate But one person noticed the strange woman
us sue stool behind the Judges chair
A COURT.
A pocr degenerate and ragged rum drinker, whose
nose resernbcd railroad dasger.hght stood cliGgng
to the raj and facing the Judge. He was await
ing sentence for having been ound in the gutter the
night previous grossly intoxicated HIS blinking eyes
her de easpcd as he caught sisht OF the APP
partition: his teeth began chatter and his knees
shake Judge Duly looked up from his Writing mo-
inert 10 pity the poor wretch PRIOR committing him
the Island, and, noticing his trembling manner.
"wel,, John, haven't you yet got over your
DIP
"D.sgraccdl Disgracedl Disgracedl Forever aud
The voice appeared como from the further end of
the court roon near the entrance, and all eyes
were instantly turned in that direction
| Judge Duffy lifted his mead III ustonishment aud
cast black look ut Sergeant Blake, who In turn
scowcd at Officer Kush. who looked inquringly AT
another officer, wno apologecaly raped oD bench
with his knife and threw meaning glance al an ur
chin the door, as he shouted:--
| ,sOrder in the court"
! But one man knew whence the words came The
poor ragged drunkard grew whittier and whittier as he
The excitement soon subsidized ana the Court pro-
ceeded to business.
John, you found last night lying mserably
Again came the voice, but louder than before
sSaved! saved savcdi and saved by woman 8
hand! ~
The shivcrng wretch at the bar convulsvcy cutchcd
an occrs coat and pointing the motionIess appa-
rition shrcked -
"My God! I've got cm again live got 'em again
Take mo away from her take me away from her."
Judge Duny jumps from mis- seat in dlsnay. rhe
audience person. The clerks drop Their
pens and turn pale us they look around. They rush
Tor the railing Judge Duffy stands lor. moment hor.
rned, but the dignity of the Court comes TO his rescue
and he grasps the ghost and hurres her INTO the re-
ccption room Thcp GREATNESS, he seeks cxpana-
ton. Tho sleeping officer awakens looks shccpish and
explains all, and the unfortunate woman is hastily
committed TO the tender mercss Of tho Commissioners
oil Charities and Correction.