HER OPINION OF HIM.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2662, 2 June 1908, Page 2

HER OPINION OF HIM.

If there is anything exasperating in this life it is the barrister who delights to bully and otherwise despitefully use a witness, more particularly when that witness is a woman. It is on this account that there is a general rejoicing when that kind of lawyer is smote hip and thigh by one of his supposedly helpless victims. Of such is the following tale. The woman was in the box, and was a very nice-mannered, respectable woman, who kept a cheap boarding-house, and it was the desire of one of her guests to be dishonest that had brought her to the court to make him pay his board bill.

"How old did you say you were, madam ? ," inquired tin- lawyer with a look on his face that would have made most females tremble.

"I did not say, sir," she replied, flushing to the roots of her hair. "Will you be kind enough to say, madam ? "

"It's none of your business." "Objection sustained." smiled the judge. "I'm," said the lawyer, rubbing his chin. "How much did you say the amount was the defendant owed you ? " "Three pounds." "And for how long was that? " "Three weeks." "That's one pound a week, isn't it ? " "Yes. sir."

"Three weeks at one pound a week is three pounds, T believe you said?" "Yes, sir."

The witness was patient, but her Lemper was not improved under the strain.

"Isn't thai an extravagant price to pay for board in your locality, madam ? " inquired the lawyer, severely. "He didn't pay it, sir." answered the worm, beginning (o turn. The lawyer gave a little start of surprise, then became indignant at the very thought of a witness talking like that. "Don't be facetious, madam." he said, assuming a tone of warning. "This is a serious matter. T have asked if your prices were not exorbitant, and you have seen fit to answer lightly, madam. Now, madam, T ask you in all earnestness if you mean to tell this Court, that your prices are moderate, and that if T should come to your house to board, you would charge me one pound a week ? Answer directly, madam," and the barrister squared his shoulders and assumed an imperial manner.

The witness was not at all abashed. "No, sir." she said, simply. "I would—"

"I thought not. T thought not," interrupted the lawyer, bending over and rubbing his bands. "No. sir." continued the witness. "T should not charge you at all. I should moke you nav in advance."

Then the Court forgot all about its dignity and everybody laughed except, the lawyer.