New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-11-17
4 UONDERFUL WOM1N.

Misc Rebecca Jones of Ludlow street Jail is
certainly a remarkable wOman-in more respects
than one She emerged above the horizon OF OBJ
security last May and at once attracted worldwide
attention by the phenomenal demonstration that q
woman was able to hold her tOngue-the first IN
stance of the kind record in tine annals of jurs-
prudence Every lawyer knows that when he calls
a woman to the witness-stand the chances are that
she will be more than willing to tell the jury all
she knows, and a good deal besides But
"Beckyv Jones was not ono of that sort.
She resolntey and perslstenty declined to say
ANYTHING The lawyers and the Surrogate piled
her with questions and threatened her with penal
ties. but Becky" was immovable. Something
told her that her dead MASTER If alive would say,
Becky keep still" and keep still she did. I'm
prlsonment for contempt of court held no terrors
for her equal to the possible dlspleasure
of the man whose family she had
served for many years. She calmly said that they
could put her in jail and keep her their until
Resurrection Day. but that she would not vio-
late the confidence reposed IN her.
1t is tnte to say that we are
ant 70 think that the age of
berosm is over; but in small way was not
Becky Jones's conduct heroic Such faithful
ness such devotion. is only too rare. Mistaken she
WAS of course: she ut ery failed to comprehend
the dignity aud majesty of the law, but her
willingness TO become a martyr for the sake OF her
former employer shows that she was made OF
genuine stuff. In another age she would have gone
to the stake for the sake of her religion.
so Becky" Jones went to Ludlow Street jail,
where she proceeded to make herself rs happy and
comfortable rs possible. She showed almost
genius in conforming herself to her en-
vlronmcnt. For time she had the
pleasure Of seeing her name in the news
papers every day aud of being visited by innumera-
bic reporters. Then her singular conduct ceased 10
attract attention and the public had almost forgot
ten that she was still in Jail. But on Saturday
Ia yer appeared in one of courts and obtained
the necessary papers for nqurlng INTO the causes Of
Der imprisonment. He presented what purported
to be n petition from Becky herself, asserting
that she was detained unlawfully.
The strangost part OF the matter is yet to come.
When Tribune reporter waited on Miss
Jones to learn how she viewed the prospect OF being
released, the worthy little dame secuted tie
very suggestion of iegaining her freedom. She de-
ciared that she had not heard of the matter before
that she was perfectly at home In the JAN ana
could not think of leaving IT, they NAV release
nae" she exclaimed. but they can't get me out
II they release me am going to get boaid mere ior
the winter This would seem to throw niue
doubt upon the petition presented 10y the lawyer,
PRAYING for her lbrrtu We have not heard 1t aug
pe.ted that Derhy' JOINS mind was not perfect
IA sound aud how IN the hane ~ the heNisel
siatuiea could ahe' nlmnst IN the same BREATH ash
tu ha arl npn aud nHseil that she would Under
40 circumstances So NJ hierf
IA Whatever light iiepkN % Jones Ia viewed II
| mual hp granted that Ahe IA 40 extraordinary
| woman hhe haa proved " doebIihi generation