Motorist's Alleged Assault on a Cook Mr. N. E. Lurton was occupied for two hours at the U. S. Commissioner's Court on Saturday in hearing a charge of assault arising, it was alleged, out of a past misunderstanding between two neigh-hours in Avenue Joffre. Philip L. Bickel, of 450e Avenue Joffre, was charged with assaulting two houseboys in the employ of his neigh-hour, Mr. d'Acquino, by striking them about the body.
The cook said that he was '"'taking the air" in the roadway at the back of his master's house at about 10 p.m. on the 13th instant. A foreigner passed by in his car. There was quite enough space for him to drive past. He got out of his car, took one of the mats witness and his friends had spread on the ground, and then assaulted him just as he got inside his master's house. He was slapped twice on the nose. A small chair was thrown by the foreigner at the group of servants.
Cross-examined by Mr. ©. 8. Franklin (defending), witness said there were three stools in the roadway, but only two mats. His master was not a witness to the assault which he stated on oath had taken place.
The wife of the last witness said Mr. d'Acquino's coolie was assaulted first. The cook, her husband, was the next victim. She tried to separate them and was struck on the chest by the defendant.
Answering Mr. Franklin, the woman said she had been knocked down, but not stepped upon.
One of the Chinese witnesses for the prosecution was asked by the Commissioner what was the name of his (witness's) master. The "boy" did not know.
The Commissioner—How long have you worked for him?
Witness—A month.
Mr. Franklin—Do you know your master's voice? (Laughter.)
Witness had given evidence for friendship." In cross-examination, he denied having come to court on the understanding that he would be given employment.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.