Translating It.
Baron Dowse once was judge where the accused could only understand Irish, and an interpreter was accordingly sworn. The prisoner said something to the interpreter, and the latter replied : " What does he say ? " demanded the judge.
" Nothing, my lord." " How dare you say that when we all heard him? Come, sir, what was it ? "
" My lord," said the interpreter, beginning to tremble, "it had nothing to do with the case."
"If you don't answer I'll commit you, sir. Now, what did he say ? "
" Well, my lord, you'll excuse me, but he said, ' Who's that old woman, with the red bed curtain round her, sitting up there ? ' " At which the court roared. " And what did you say ?" a9ked the Baron, looking a little uncomfortable. " I said, ' Whist, ye spalpeen ! That's the ould boy that's going to hang yez ! ' "
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW18931019.2.164.2
Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 2069, 19 October 1893, Page 49
Word Count
139Translating It. Otago Witness, Issue 2069, 19 October 1893, Page 49
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