New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-20
HE HAD TO WASH AND SCRUB.
HARRY CUNNING SAYS HE ALSO HAD
TO SLEEP IN THE CELLAR

HIS STEPMOTHERS JEWELRY TO GET
soUARE"-sHE LOCKED HIM OUT AND
THREATENED HIM WITH A KNIFE.
But HE DECLARES HE NEVER
STRUCK HER.
In spite of the fact that Harry the stepson.
at whose door Mrs. Cunning lays so much OF
the domestic trouble that finally led her to leave
her husband the Rev. Josiah II. Cunning, was
on the witness-stand the greater portion Oh
Yesterday il was tiresome session. and even
the old women who have never missed minute
of the long hearing grew bit restless.
Harry Is scarcely the ferce-looking creature
that Mrs Cummings testimony would lead one
to think he was. She said he stole from her
assaulted her and made life in the house with
him unbearable. He doesn't look ferocious
He isn't very tall and he isn't very stout. He
has Gull red hair. parted in the middle, ana
small mustache.
From what Harry said, his actions that might
have annoyed his stepmother we're more in the
nature of reprisals for her treatment OF him.
She had taker his things, he said and he took
hers to get square" She had subjected him
to all sorts of indignities. such as washing
clothes in the kitchen and scrubbng the floor.
He had taken some OF her jewery, and kept ie
for time, to pay her back.
The witness testified that his stepmother had
locked him out on many occasions, compelling
him. ever In the coolest weather, to sleep In
the cellar on a box before the furnace door.
He was never given towels In his room ana nao
10 wash in the kitchen. On other occasions No
had been obliged to climb in at the window OK
his sisters to avoid sleeping in the street.
Il never sought quarrels with her. he de-
cared, land to avoid them often left the room
when she began TO abuse me-"
When asked whether not mis- stepmother had
attempted to stab him. Harry replied that
occasion he happened to meet her in
dark passageway. When his back was turned
he heard his father cry out suddenly, Look out!
Look OUT He turned quickly and saw his step
mother holding knife appraised. When she saw
she was discovered she quickly hid the weapon
in her sleeve.
Ex-Ju,lge Tenney. Mrs Cummings counsel
sought in a long cross-"xamination 10 snow tnat
Harry was not iil-tre lted and that all the trouble
IN the household due 10 Harry's devilishness.
This scrubbinG and washing you speak or was
simply done or twice. and merely as an ac-
COmmOdatiOn to your mother ana sisters, when
they had no help. wasn't it?" asked Mr.. Tenney
1T was done frequently" replied the witness.
she made me do 1t as means OF punishment.
The witness had testified that many OF the
pieces Of jewery ne took 10 get even with Mrs.
Cunning We're given 10 Miss Guernee FOR sare-
keeping. A.,
things were your mothers. and that you simply
wanted to deposit; them with her for a time Tor
safe-keeping did YOU?
Harry finally acknowledged that while that was
his intention and understanding Of the transact
ton he did not tell Miss GUernee so at the time
The witness denied positively that he had ever
struck his stepmother, except perhaps. by acci.
dent when seeking TO avoid her attacks on him.
While Mrs Cunning had once when in Call.
fornia put her arm about him. she had never
kissed him "She wouldn't have put her arm
about me If she hadn't wanted favor, no
added.
Did YOU ever caress her." asked Mr.. Tenney.
What do YOU mean?" replied the witness
"Ha. Don't you know what caress Is? =
boy at your age doesn't know what caress 49,!
and Mr. Tenney looked amazed.
Court soon adjourned and from present indica-
tions the trial Is yet some distance from the emo