Negro's Habit of Talking to Himself and its Result "L'so descended from Japanese," stated a full-grown American negro at the American Consular Court yesterday in reply to Mr, Lurton's question regarding his nationality, "Ah cum from a Ile town in'Loosiana, bout the size of this one. "Ah'se from Shrevepo't."
Accused had been charged by the Municipal police with disorderly conduct at the Hanbury Institute Monday evening, Along with Jack Lavond, it seems that he (Will Fondell) had become embroiled in a mix-up on the premises, when the negro's hat had disappeared, Police evidence was to the effect that they had been called settle the trouble among the sea far. ers. They arrested both men and took them to Hongkew station, thence to the American Gaol, when their nationality was found.
In telling his story to the Court, Fondell stated that he arrived in Shanghai a few days ago and was robbed. Since then he had lived best he could. Whilst lounging in the Hanbury lobby with other sailors, accused missed his hat and began to ask for it.
"Ah has a habit of talking' to myself and I spose that he (Lavond) thought Ah was talking? to him. Me cum at muh two or throe tahines, an' Ah sheaved him back, with mah hands, just like thus. Ah don't hab no Toast dream, that he wuz going to strike at muh. But when Ah could no stand it no more, Ah hit him."
"Ah wants to betta mah position, Ah wants to go to Manila wha mah trious cun help muh."
Asked by Mr. Lurton, Mr. Gee, assistant manager of the Institute, said that the coloured defendant them no trouble—he was usually very quiet.
In dismissing the charge Mfr. Lurton said that he would give de+ fendant the benefit of the doubt, but he would suggest that he take all steps possible to get out of town, for there were many temptations to stray from the straight and narrow path' in Shanghai 'As he passed sentence of five days' imprisonment on Lavond, who pleaded guilty, the Commissioner declared that he would permit the Marshal to place accused on a vessel America bound, if they would accept him; if not, be must serve the full five days.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.