It Cost Him Ten Dollars.

Otago Witness, Issue 1990, 17 April 1890, Page 46

It Cost Him Ten Dollars.

An amusing scene was recently enacted in a country courtroom in Maine. The trial justice, a big, pompous official, with a voice like a trombone, took it upon himself to examine a witness, a little, withered old man, whose face was as red and wrinkled a3 a smoked herring. "What is your name ?" asked the jastice. " Why, squire," said the astonished witness, "you know my name as well as I know yourn." 11 Never you mind what I know, or what I don't know," was the caution given with magisterial severity. "I ask the question in my official capacity and you're bound to answer it under oath." With a contemptuous snort the witness gave his name aud the questioning proceeded. " Where do you live 1 " "Wai, I shum 1" ejaculated the old man, "Why," he continued, appealing to the laughing listeners, " I've lived in this town all my life, and so's he," pointing to the justice, "an' b' gosh, to hear him go on you'd think " "Silence!" thundered the irate magistrate. " Answer my question, or I'll fine you for contempt of court." Alarmed by the threat the witness named his place of residence and the examination went on. " What is your occupation ? " "Huh?" " What do you do for a living ? " " Oh, git out, squire I Jest as if you don't know that I tend gardens in the summer season an' saw wood winters I " " As a private citizen I do know it, but as the court I know nothing about you," explained the perspiring justice. " Wai, squire," remarked the puzzled witness, " if you know somethin 1 outside the court room an' don't know nothin' in it you'd better get out an' let somebody try this oase that's got hoss sense." The advice may have been well meant, but it cost the witness lOdol.— Lewiston Journal.