Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-06-03
~aegree TO disturb her supreme

attract so mUCN 0JLehJlOu LO-udy IL IL
did yesterday. He was as cool and calm
rs ever, and on his SOldier-like face there
was not the slightest trace of emotion
or of the effects OF the ordeal through
which he had passed yesterday. Like
his former friend, the Prince OF Wales,
Sir William was perfectly dressed, boot
ed and glOved, and there was no deny
ing that an air of quiet distinction
could be seen in his every movement,
ieSture and expression. His cold
gray eyes flashed contemptuously
as he glanced in the direction
where the defendants were seated.
Lord Chief Justice then gave the sig
nal for the days proceedings to com
mence, and the plaintiff stepped into
the witness box and prepared to answer
the questions of Sir Charles Russell.
The latter began by reading letter
written by the plaintiff, in answer to
the letter addesSed to him jointly by the
Prince of Wales, Lord Coventry and
Gen. Owen Williams. This miSSive was
addressed To Dear Owen" and in ii Sir
William said that he had now but little
hope before him 10 make life worth liv-
pose that | must try to live as OF old
years"
Pressed by the croSS-eXamining QueS-
tionS OF Sir Charles Russell, the plaintiff
said he took the present legal proceed
ingS because the baccara5 scandal had
become public matter of conversation
and comment. and because il had
reached the clubs To which he belonged,
the Turf Club and the Marlborough
Club among others, and had he not
taken action in the matter his clubs
would certainly have done so.
Sir Charles Russell then read TWO let
terS from Gen. Williams. They were
addressed to Dear Bill" and referred
to complaints made by the plaintiff that
the pledge of secrecy, given when he
signed the document agreeing never to
play cards again, had been broken.
In reply 10 defendant counSefS ques-
tionS, Sir William said that he applied
10 Col. Stracey, Of the Scotch Guards,
in January last, for permission to re-
tire from the army on half pay. He
added that Col. Stracey replied that the
fact that he (the PLAINTIFF had signed a
document of the nature described could
not be overlooked.
A letter from Gen. Williams TO Sir
William Gordon Cumming was then
read and placed in evidence. 1t was ad-
dressed my Dear Bill" and its con-
tents were TO the effect that nothing
was left to him, the plaintiff. but 10
place himself unreServedly in the hands
of his commanding officer, Col. Stracey,
as he had done. The letter also con-
tanned the following: you are quite
at liberty TO tell Col. Stracey that you
signed the document under extreme
pressure and promise OF secrecy
The witness here said: Il have never
for moment ceased TO deny the accuS-
alton made against me Later on Sir
William denied that he had said to Mr.
Berkely Levett: could you not say
that you were mistaken.
A sensation was created at this point
bv Sir Charles Russell, who, after hear
ing this last denial from the plain
tiff, remarked gravely, fixing his eyes
steadily upon the barCnet in the
witness box: Col. Sir William
Gordon Cumming you will have to
be careful" A low murmur OF com
ment passed over the people in the
Court room as Sir Charles Russell ut
tered these words. The plaintiff evil
IDENTIFY noticed the effect they had, for
almost Immediately afterward his man
ner seemed to lose some Of its iaunty
careleSSneSS, and he acknowledged that
he had said something of that sort" to
Mr.. Berkely Leavett. This caused
another sensation in Court, aud 1T
seemed TO be admitted, without word
being spoken on the subject. that coun-
sci for the defendants had scored his
first real decided advantage in the leg~l
tilt which had been going on for two
days between himself and the soldier
baro ct in the witness box.
Sir Charles Russell did not seem to
notice the advantage he had gained,
but, on the contrary, appeared to be de-
sirolS of leading the jury'S attention
away from this damaging admission,
and consequently branched off into a
length and somewhat unintereSting
croSS-eXamination of the plaintiff con-
cerning certain letters, and, after brief
redirect examination upon the part of
the Solicitor General, Sir Ldward
Clarke, leading counsel for Sir William
Gordon Cumming, the plaintiff was dis
missed from any further questions and
the Prince of Wales was called TO the
witness box.
The Prince half smiled when he arose
from his arm chair, on the left OF the
Chief Justice, and walked to the wit
ness box, his every movement watched
bv all present. The Prince gave his
testimony in clear voice, and with un-
ruitiled brow In substance he Said
Il have known the plaintiff for 20
years, and have been his friend for 10
wears. He visited my house several
times. Our intimacy continued unim-
paired until last September. obServ-
ed nothing suspicious in PLAINTIFFS play
at Tranby Croft. | was first informed
of the reports current in regard TO Sir
William Gordon Cumming by AOrd Gov
entry"
Continuing, the Prince OF Wales said
that the sad event (the charges brought
against Sir William Gordon Cumming)
broke up the party at Trauby Croft. lie
(the Prince) sealed the document ny,
put it in a packet and sent it to his Sec
retarv. Sir Francis KnOllys, who was
not aware of the nature Of the contents
of the packet. The latter. said the
Prince. remained in a safe place until 1t
was sent for in connection with the