The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-07
THE COURTS.
Great Expectations Crushed by an Ad-
verse Turn Of Fortunes Wheel.
A COLORED PASTOR PAYING PENANCE.
The Last Of the Mail Bag Robbers in
the Laws Meshes.
NEW SCENE FOR "OUR BOARDING HOUSE,"

case Of free trade reciprocity exemplincd In trans
actions between an American traveller and nm English
nrm came up yesterday Marine Court Part l. before
Judge Alker and jury Walter Webbing, who
described himself in the complaint 40 proprietor OF
newspaper known as tho Illustrated Sporting and ORA
matic Nescs, published in London, and as formerly
member OF the arm Of Metcali 4 Co, London, jewel
lcrs and dealers In fancy goods, brought suit against
John S. Edrdge. citizen OF Boston. 10 recover liz
guincas Tor bill OF jewery purchased by tho deen
dant between the 14th day Of June 1872 and the fol-
lowing November. Az the time, Webbing was mem
Der OF the firm, but since then took to welding the
pcn OF the sporting man and dramatist IL was he
who allowed Eldridge contract the dcbt, and now
sues IN his name Tor the recovery Both parties
wore represented by counsel only Webbing being IN
London, and Eldridge, San Francisco. From tho
dispositions taken by commission in London and from
the bill OF particulars annexed. It appeared that
ElLridgc represented himself wealthy American
on u tour observation and pleasure at that time
soourning Tho British capital He was introduced TO
the palniiG by Mr. Scott Sdd0ns who seems 10 have
been particular friend OF Edrdge's for in the bill OF
items OF jewelry purchased BY Eldridge appears an
item 1.-TWO locKes AZ ten gu'ncas each to give TO Mr
Scott Siddons.n The principal items were small, but
costly such studs and brcastplns, with sporting
emblems OF the 6cid the turf and the stream. After
protrccd correspondence the part OF tho plaintiff,
demanding payment without success, the following
letter, whoa was put In evidence was received from
Edrdge, giving glowing account OF what he had been
and might be again in some distant future, but not
presenting solitary ray OF hopo from any OF The nu-
mcrous gems no had Obtained from his loo confding
creditors The letter runs as folows:-
RKADvILLK, Mass. Nov. 10, 1875
Messr. MKrcALy Co. London
but since my Amsrca the wheel q fortune has
accident lost my right arm. from which ! am 'iili :
great ne ss u ns pS h
Of many arms who Indebted for and from
thrown up their asked for reduction
nss worth Of which has
a% the sas ~se an %
out win do eysrythng to hasten an early
win reward your patience. Yours, ,raly,s n.,ncp
tered on the in the hope Of pro1tng by some
technical defects in the papers In the proceedings,
being submitted jury, they found verdict for
plaintiff of $61S 33 in gold Mr.. Rves appeared Tor
plaintiff and Mr.. Holmes for defendant
A BELLICOSE COLORED PREACHER
James H. Humphrey. young man OF color, calling
himself local preacher and giving hts address No.
1853 West Thirty first street, arraigned for trial
yesterday before Judge Glderseevc, In General Scs-
sions, Part 2, charged with having on tho Goth OF
March last committed fclonious assault upon Corne-
Illus Peasants, another coorcd man. residing at the
same house. 1t appeared that the day in question
the complainant heard the prisoner whipping his little
stcpdsughtcr the room and rom onsratcd with
him, whercupon the prisoner, In ABUSIVE terms, told
him he had no right to Interfere his domestic AZ
fairs. Finally the prisoner snapped pistol in the
compainant's face. and supplemented this exemplary
act by striking him the head with the handle OF tho
pistol, INJECTING scalp wound. II was further
charged that tho colorcd pastor then ran for his
razor and chased the complainant, who fed Tor
. police officer and had his assannt arrested. This
evidence was partly corroborated by Mrs. Jourdan,
the Iandlady who added hat the complainant struck
Humphrey after the latter had fired the pistol In his
own defence while tho stand disg0rged
himself of windy speech, which MAS not remarkable
good grammar but not wanting IN vivid touches OF
Scripture. By way OF for beating his child he
said ho only obcyed what set forth In the twenty
seventh chapter and thirteenth OF the gospel OF
ST. Matthew, telling parents not TO spare the rod. He
denied having fired the pistol or having
the manner testified TO by the complainant Humphrey
wound up his harangue by an appeal 10 Tho jury
which provoked considerable merriment. Mrs Heintt
dashlng colored lady from Brooklyn, gave the pris
oner fine character, stating that she often accom-
panied him 10 church, where BIO preached while her
husband remained at home TO mind the child. ASSIST.
ant District Attorney Rollins opened fire on tho unfor
tunatc Humphrey in his usual vigorous style. He
asked the prisoner what part OF The gospel admon-
lshed parents Ito spare the rod, and this time
Humphrey changed his mind and said IL
vas the twenty-nlth chapter and twenty-sec-
pnd verse, but unluckily Mr.. Rollins was in
ausitive the point, and after examination
found that neither OF the quotations mentioned
contained tho passage referred TO- Tho prisoner fur
lher testified that the Spirit called him from his work
, waiter to his pastoral duties. He was found
guilty OF assault the other counts in tho Indictment
having been abandoned by the prosecution, the test
mony showing that tho pistol was comparatively use
less. Judge Gilderslcevc, alter commenting on the
unfav oraplc impression which the prisoners conduct
the witness stand had produced. sentenced him 10
Il.IA