The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-07-25
TmHEBENTLEYS HOME
Astounding Testimony of
the Children as to Their
Mothers Conduct.
THINKS HIS MOTHER DERANGED
Parker, Aged Ten. Drinks Like a
Fish and Swears Like a Pirate,
Says Peter.
Little Eugenia Complains That
She Didn't Get Enough Food
to Make Her Comfortable.

Many curious facts cropped out at the
testimony yesterday afternoon in Chancery
Chambers, in the matter of the appointment
of a guardian ad Item, for the two small
children of the late Peter Bentley, all tend
ing to prove a remarkable state of things
existing in the Bentley household. The in
teresting testimony. full of sensations, given
by Miss Emily Bentley, was surpassed, even
by her little sister Eugenia, for whom a
guardian is asked. This little maiden who
has an artless yet extremely bright face,
told her storyof ''mamma's goings on with a
clearness not often seen in older persons.
She had dates and figures pat, and not even
Ex-Governor Bedle who c-ross-examined
could shake one jot or little of her
story. 1t was convincing and stamp
ed with truth. Few more painful scenes
have been witnessed in the Court of ChancerY
than those which occurred frequently when
children, and young children too, We're
obliged TO face their mother and accuse her
of improperly and excessive fondness for
liquor.
1t was a trying position, not only for
Chancellor McGill but. for the learned
counsel, ..Messrs. Bedle and Collins. The
lawyers with the utmost delicacy endeavored
to keep out anything beyond the proper
inquiry, but with all their tact awkward
facts and statements crept out which filled
everyone with surprise
Mrs. Bentley did not create a favorable
impression on the stand because OF her
peculiar habit of answering a question by
asking another and not sueelnctiy replying
to important matters brought up by counsel.
She was naturally hustered and excited and
during the examination of her children kept
up a running fire of comment which her
counsel repeatedly had to check.
When The News went to press last night
Miss Bentley was in the hands'of that skill
full cross examiner. Ex-Governor Bedle, who
directed her attention othe bringing of beer
into the house.
DOCTOR RUNNING THE
Witness admitted that Doctor Rector, to
whom she is engaged, often went tor beer,
but most. of the time George Wheedon went
out foriS~a ~ seNY4
s.Whatare you complaining about Vince
dom On the ground of beer4' asked Mr..
bedle.
Il don't care how much beer Wheedon
drinks. [Laughter.l The trouble Is ali
Wheedon's, and if he would stay away there
would be no trouble said Miss Bentley.
With great tact Mr.. Bedle endeavored
to show that the announcement of the en-
gagement with Wheedon on New Years
night was a joke, but Miss Bentley re-
plied:-
w Ieu lily ulOlucl ACl aC14 ia
Wheedon's shoulder, l told her to remember
papa, and she replied, L have no right to
remember your father. This is my fiance.'
l told her she was doing wrong, and Vince
don said to NE. Your mother is no fool
hut [ retorted, No, but you are" Laugh
ter, at which the individual referred to
turned scarlet
Wasn't the first beer brought into the
house brought by DR.. Rector" asked coun-
sci.
NO, sir"
Ex-Mayor Collins smoothened matters out
by asking if witness's health was good.
"No, sir"
"Beer was prescribed for your asked Mr..
Collins.
ssYes, by the family physician
you complained of your mothers drink
ing so much and the fact that Parker goes
with Wheedon for the beergs"
Yes, sir, and because they shut them
selvesIp in a room and sent out for beer
twice"
nsrA PRETTY BIG GROWER.
The Chancellor asked how much beer was
sent for each time
81 saw the pitcher and it holds two
quarts, she replied.
Miss Bentley said that if her mother had
given up Wheedon and he had stayed away
the suit wouldn't have been begun.
''The only reason why a man like George
Wheedon would marry a woman older than
All4lCCA1 10 lb0O hO FFkAAROA ~ ~ ava AACACJ .
We wouldn't have that sort of a man do
that to rob us of our money" said Miss
Bentley with emphasis.
STUDYING o TIL a
Explaining her visits TO DIR. Rector, wit
ness said that the only reason she went there
was because the doctor wouldn't come to the
house while Wheedon was chief.
"Doiyou know if your mother correspondent
with Mr.. Glazog' asked counsel.
Il know she has and with other men. /
- - s.,- 49, -
was the reply.
s.Did one letter come from a stage profess
sor with whom she has studied for the
stageg'
Eyes, sir; last fall she took part in theatre
Gals in Brooklyn"
sDid she tell whereg'
"No. sir; she didn't wish to let us know"
Ex-Governor Bedle couldn't stand this any
longer, and complained that if the pressure
of the daughter and Mr.. Warren Dixon was
removed all would be well.
81 object, your Honor, y cried Mr.. Dixon,
jumping to his feet, ito these impertinent
remarks"
The Chancellor raped for order and told
counsel to confine themselves to the facts be-
fore them.
MRS. BENTLEY's Low LETTERS.
Mr.. Collins, resuming his redirect exami
nation of Miss Bentley, unearthed a verit-
able sensation when he asked if her mother
ever corresponded with this professor of the
dramatic art from whom she was taking
lessons. Miss Emily, settling herself in her
chair and looking straight at her mother.
said slowly
"Yes; one day / looked into mafulna's desk
and saw there two letters addressed to her
and both in the same handwriting. One of
them began Dearest En- andspoke of some
photographs of mammals taken for introduc-
ton to the stage. 1t finished up With love
and kisses, Edward
when this announcement was made Mrs.
Bentley laughingly hid her face in her hand
kerchief and whispered something in Gov.
Bedle's earl
1.-THE other letter. said Miss Emily, twas
from this man, this stage professor tglancing
re~proachfully at her mother, and it was in
the same familiar strain. 1t spoke of a
check for $50 sent and ended up with 'Ha,
IA. Em dearest, I've the stuff"
Mrs. Bentley's counsel tried to have these
these letters stricken out, but the Chance-
lors overruled his objection.
e A VISITOR.
Witness then told of a visitor to her
mother whom she surrounded with great
mystery. so Miss Bentley said. The person,
by name Sherman, came on from Washing
ton, and when he came to the house no one
but but Mrs. Bentley saw him.
s'Why!n asked Mr.. Collins.
because mamma said that we made fun OF
her friends, and she was determined not to
let me see Mr.. Sherman
Nov Miss Emily began Ex-Governor
Bedle, shaking his gold glasses at her, why
didnsf Won fell Your mother that Won had