A Difficult Witness.

Manawatu Herald, 23 October 1900, Page 3

A Difficult Witness.

» A horse that had been hired from a livery stable died soon after it was returned, and the man who hired it was awd for damages. The question turned largely upon the reputation of the defendant as a hard rider. The stable-boy was called as a witness. "How does the defendant usually ride ? " was the first question put to him. "Astraddle, sir." "No, no!" said the lawyer. " I mean, doet he usually walk, or trot, or gallop?" 11 Well," said the witness, apparently searching in the depths of his memory foi"'. facts, "when he rides a walkin' horse, he walks; when rides a trotin' horses, he trots ; and when he rides a gallopin 1 horse, he gallops ; when " The lawyer interposed, "I want to know at what pace the defendant usually goes—fast or slow ? " •• Well," said the witness, " when his company rides fast, he rides fast ; and when his company rides slow, he rides tlow.' ? 11 Now I want to know, sir," th: lawyer said, drawing a loag breath, 11 how the defendant rides when he is alone." " Well," said the witness very slowly, " when he was alone I warn't there, so I don't know."