New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-13
MOCK DUCK LOSES HA or
Chadren's Society to Keep Her
Chinaman VIII Appeal Case.

Although two people testified TO the fact that
the floor OF Mrs. Mock Ducks home, at No. 10
Doyers street, was clean one could eat of it,
Justice ZeIer decided yesterday morning IN the
f-hndren's Court that she and her husband,
Mock Duck, were not proper guardians for the
s,x-year-old Caucasian child. Ia OF. who was
taken from them couple OF weeks ago by the
Society for the Prevention Of Cruelty to Chill
aren The Mock Ducks intend to appeal the
case and mean time Ha OF VIII remain in the
custody OF the society. and win be known as
Helen Francis, the latter name having been
suggested by San Francisco. the city Of her
birth.
IA @! seems 20 be quite reconciled 10 the
change. ana had discarded her Oriental dress
even before her Oriental name. The first time
abe appeared in court she wore gay Chinese
costume, consisting Of pantaloons and blouse,
and her dark hair was tied in knots all over her
head Yesterday her hair was faxen. save in
one place. near the end. where the dye had not
all washed out. She wore white piQue dress
with little gray cloak and hood. and carried a
brightly dressed doll in her arms. Smiling and
happy she was a strange contrast TO the poor
little waits and strays OF humanity who had
stood. q few minutes before. trembling and
weeping at the bar. Ha OF understood not
word of all that was going on, and was quite
10 get a little frightened, and single tear over
flowed and ran down her cheek.
The Mock Ducks wore the inscrutable express
sion OF their race, and only by their apparent
Willingness TO spend money in lighting for the
nossession OF their foster child did they show
how deeply concerned they were. When it be-
came evident that the case was going against
them their counsel Louis Posner, proposed that
The child should be placed in private school
at Mock Ducks expense pending the decision or
a higher court. but Justice Zeller would not
consent TO this.
Mr.. Posner called two witnesses, Mrs. Edwin
Wardell, wife of a police officer formerly sta
toned in Chinatown, and John Find. Chinese
Importer, to establish the good character Of the
Mock Ducks. Mrs. WaVdeu testified that Mrs.
Mock Ducks floor was so clean you could eat
OF H." and when Mr.. Find took the stand Mr..
PoSner asked him IL he could corroborate this
statement. Mr.. Find replied somewhat indig-
nantly that he wouldn't eat off anybodyS floor.
He admitted however. that in case OF necessity
Mrs. Mock Ducks floor might be used for a
dining table.
that he has twice been indicted and tried for
murder. both juries disagreeing. and is now
awaiting trial for alleged bribery. His counsel
endeaVored TO show that these facts did not
prove anything against the mans character.
Who little Helen Frances really is has not yet
been determined. though application has been
made TO the San Francisco Childrens Aid So
ciety for further information. That she is
Caucasian child without a drop OF Chinese blood
fn her veins Justice Zeller declared TO be beyond
question.
The Mock Ducks claim that Ho OF is the child
Of Mrs. Mock Ducks first husband and had an
Irish mother