“DUMB” BOY SPEAKS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1929, Page 7

“DUMB” BOY SPEAKS

MOTHER CHARGED WITH PERJURY. NEW YORK, Nov. 13. Nearly live years ago .Mrs Friedman was wheeling her baby, aged seven months, down the street when a delivery cart owned by one of New York’s department stores ran on to the pavement, upsetting the perambulator and injuring the mother. She obtained £SOO damages, but on the plea that the baby boy bad been rendered speechless sought heavy damages for her son. For nearly five years the child was never heard to speak a word. In court it was said that seven reputable physicians had examined the hoy, using every test known to .science to mako him speak. Last Wednesday the judge tried to persuade the mother to accept substantial damages offered by the department stores, ImL she refused. Yesterday she swore that her child had not spoken since the accident. Hut fate apparently had a trick of its own and became chief witness in the strange ease. The little hoy was playing with two others in Hie courthouse corridor when in boyish ifun they set upon him and pinched him. He began to erv, am* a court attendant ran to his assistance. Rending over the child, he asked, “ What’s the matter? Did they pummel you?” The child replied without hesitation: ‘ No, they pinched me.” The mother is now charged with perjury.