Litchfield enquirer., 1877-01-25
"That for ways that are dark, And for tricks that are vain,
 The heathen Chinee are peculiar"

And for tricks that vain, The heather Chinee are peculiar"
 claimed that the pants he took to the laundry were almost new, while those he received were torn and not his at all. The pants which Hap Sing claimed were the ones he received from and delivered to MT. Peck, were produced in court. MucL testimony was taken from tailors, both Jew and Gentle, as to the value of the pants when new. the prevailing price put upon them being from g 50 to S, ,0O and if Mir. P. paid more than that for them he was sadly cheated before he fell into the company of these Celestials. The Chinamen were on hand in focer as wit nesses and spectators. Most of their tes- 1 timony was taken through an interpreter (La Sooug), a student in Yale. Among the witnesses were Hap Sing, An Dick, A4 Eli. Bulk Sing, An Hong and Hop Sing The testimony of the Chinese and their manner of. giving it,, caused much amusement in court. At times the judge lawyers and audience joined in the laugh. On one occasion the Judge was compelled to retire to his private room to have his l laugh out. MT. Twiss, counsel for Peck, objected to the Chinese testifying, on the ground that they did not believe in God, and contended that they must be sworn 1 according to tho custom of their native country. Alter good deal of sparring between Twiss and Judge Blydenbarg. counsel for Hap Sing, III which the re- ligious views of each and all were pretty we'll ventilated, the Court decided that An Fiwas a competent witness, and he was sworn. He produced the record book of the laun Try for the inspection of the court, but as the gentleman concerned ! had not had time to study up the Chi nese language, either oral or written, 1t proved Chinese puzzle indeed to them. The interpreter said 1t was all right An Eli fully explained his method of doing business, and was sure as to the identity of the pants. One of the laundrymen was allowed to testify without the aid of an interpreter, and caused much amuse- ment. He said of Mr. Peck: "He talk loudee; wanted me scare; I say them pants belong you; I say thluk you bet ter go away; I tell him you gone away; he says l get lawyer; say don't care. Bulk Sing he show me hole when be iron. ing saw lehole when was ironing" On the cross examination, this witness said to Twiss, who tried to badger him, in an- swer toqnestions: "Ah Fi he tell you so yesterday; late tnough;' and "what you ask me good, many times for?" Why you talkee. talkee to me?" etc. all of which was enjoyed by the opposing coun. sel. The lawyers in their summing up made most eloquent appeals to the Judge to do justice to their respective clients; and it is seldom 80 much law, eloquence and time Is given to a pair of & linen duck brooches. On Monday last, Judge Stoddard rendered judgment in favor of the Chinaman. Thus ends 2 case which four days. .andis fair illustration of many petty cases that are carried up from one court to another. at.an expense to the lit- igants and to the State of many times the amount involved. There is much need of reform" in this direction.
 The tribulation of Mir. Peck in pursuit of his ''unmentionables' reminds me of what befell weeks washing 'oue day. in B September gale, as related by one of eur New England poets-slightly altered 10 suit this case:
 Thsy y,re my.ii .li1ys Il m, pride
 1 My msnhoods greatest r1ches:
 i Farewell, farewell;"t fai atly cried T 1 ~ ''Ay brooches, o. my breeches,. fa 1 Alright saw them in my dreams,
 I Hoy changed from what knew them: The dew had steeped their faded threads. The winds had whistled through them; saw the wide and ghastly rents. s Where Chines claws had torn them. Asif an imp had worn them.
 Peck has had many happy years -t !. And tailors kind and clever,
 But those white pantaloons have gone Forever and forever And nst till fate has cut the last
 Of all his earthly stitches,
 His achins heart shall cease to mourn
 His loved and long-lost breeches., l.
 @ WASHINGTON, Jan. 2l, 1877.
 DEAR SR-Unavoidable circumstances having arisen so as to prevent Mrs. Hana- rord and Miss Miles from coming to- Washington. this week. ths Drama tic As sociasion have determined, on sudden. not to let the moon shine ia Eain. Ac-