The evening times., 1900-05-12

NEW YORK. May I2.-Sah Toy Fcng,
truly Chinese in her rich. baggy silks, Ter
little pagan feet. shOd after the flshi- n
Of her sisters. very shy and very simple.
rad her first encounter with the Christ an
oath yesterday.
Mrs. Fong appeared before Justice Law
renee In Part V. Supreme Court, TO press
her suit against Robert Kerr. who. she
claimed. had got possession of house in
which she had invested the money rec-iged
as wedding presents from her friends and
that she had saved from her allowaD- e
from her husband
Being an alien she said, she had no legal
right to take tile in the property, and
thus had come to grief.
Mrs Fong had her baby. her man nurse.
8 woman friend. her husband, Chu Fong,
the richest merchant in Chinatown, and
several relatives with her when she entered
court She had on a new gown, and was
dressed in fashion that was a revelation
70 those accustomed to the average laundry
Chianman.
An interpreter named George Likat was
presented. and Mrs. Fong marched up to
the stand leaving Ting. her baby. with
the nurse
ASK her if she knows what an oath
is said Justice Lawrence, glancing at the
picturesque little woman with interest.
The interpreter chattered away at her
for half a minute, and reported that NJ. S.
FonE had nothing TO say on the subject
at all. She gazed al the big judge as inno
Gently as a child.
But she must talk" said the justice
Tell her So
The interpreter started cut again, and
talked himself tired. finally announcing;
she understands an OATH
Well ask her what il is said the JUS
For answer she turned to the Judge with
a smile and a very knowing look and
nodded.
Well, do you know what viii happen
to you il you don't tell the truth here2"
She nodded very energeticalIy and
smiled.
You will punish me-" she said. and then
pointing her fOrefinger upward, added,
and up there, too"
Then came the second difficulty. Mrs.
Fong shook her head with great determi-
nation when the Bible was profferec for
the oath. She wanted the oath as she had
the clothes. of her own people. Finally
with one finger pointed upward in a rather
hesitating manner Mrs. Fong took the
oath.
Her testimony was short. She told OF
the wedding gifts in money that she lad
received She had paid John G. Ritter S9.-
600 for an interest in the property at Nos.
20. p, and "a Pell Street. The counsel
for the defence cross examined her in an
effort to show that she had been bought
as a slave. Justice Lawrence cut him
short.
You call this woman a slave" said
the Justice. Il don't think the evidence
bears you cut. Her presents are just like
those received by a Christian woman at
her wedding"
Il want to show that the value OF Chi
nese bride depends on the presents she
gets" said Lawyer Randolph Parmeley.
ChU FOng, the husband. and several 9TH
er witnesses testified. The evidence re-
vealed the hostility of the clans in China
town One witness was pronounced TO be
bitter foe OF Fong. II was brought out
that Fong had served a term in Elmira
for forgery.
II was also shown that he was the Ma
poleon OF Mott Street. Besides being the
biggest merchant there, he had been man
ager OF the Chinese theatre of the Laun-
dTyman's Association. and many other big
enterprises. Fong. il is said has import
ed enough artists for his theatre to FIJI up
second Chinatown
Justice Lawrence gave counsel until Nav
y 10 submit briefs in the case.