The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-06-04

LONDON, June 3. = Special The
opinion is general among the upper
tendon OF London society that tho
Prince of Wales mad shown a lack Of the
good sense and good nature for which
he has been credited, when he went out
OF his way to kick an apparently falling
man by declaring in court yo sterdav
that he no longer desired to lie classed
as one of Sir William Gordon Cum
ming's friends. Ills trcpida,ion on tho
stand has left a painful impression on
the minds of those who observed the
first gentleman of England clawinr At
his beard, Shnling his feet and ner-
vously drumming the edge of the box
with his fingers. The individual ey-
animation by ono Of the Jurors OF the
Prince, was startling occurrence. and
this has made place in history for that
Juror.
Sir William Gordon Cumming was
promptly on hand when the court was
declared open and showed no traces of
the ordeal through which he passed yes
terday. Immediately after the court
had been called to order the Prince of
Wales entered and occupied the seat
reserved for him to the left of the Lord
Chief Justice. Sir Charles Russell.
counsel-in-chicf for the defense. in his
opening address TO the jury on behalf Of
his clients, scored the plaintiff for hay
ing so promptly signed the humiliatinp
ana insulting document which had been
submitted to him.
Inc hrst witness for the defense was
Arthur Wilson, proprietor of Tranby
Croft, who testified that on the first
night OF play he had seen five pound
counter resting on 4 picro of papcr di-
rcctly in front of the plaintiff. When
the latter IS tableau won Sir William had
his hands in front of him and held
another five pound counter in the palm
OF one hand. The plaintiff looked at
Somersets hand and seeing that the lat
ter held natural and court card"
at once dropped the five pound counter
whlch he held in his hand and was paid
on all.
This statement caused n most pro-
found sensation. Stanley Wilson. son
of the preceding witness, was called
and testified that he saw Cumming push
two-pound counter forward with his
pencil when the cards turned in his
favor. When witness told his mother
she urged that no scandal be created
there, but plaintiff was watched. He
was again seen cheating lie kept
some counters on the table and others
in his breast pocket. lie stakcd Il
hve-pound counter and Lady Coventry
took seven-pound counter.
Sir William, after looking over Lady
Coventry cards, began to gradually and
carefully advance his hand toward the
marked white line. When the turn of
the Prince OF Wales came he said, 81
am baccarat,' his card being a bad one.
Sir William Immediately pushed over
the line E10 counter. 1t was four full
inches distant from tho - counter
which he had originally stallcd Tho
plaintiff won and the prince paid him
So, whcreupon Sir William remarked,
you've forgotten the other tenner.''
The prince then paid the difference re-
marking. 81 wish you would place your
stakes more conspicously."
The Prince had made statement of
the case to the players, and one Of them,
Mr.. Green, had asked to be confronted
with Sir William.
On cross-eXamination the witness
stated that taccarat had been played at
Tranby Croft during 1889, but was
stopped on the objection of his father.
1t was not played again until the visit
of the Prince OF Wales and party last
September.