The Evidence was Strong Enough.

Otago Witness, Issue 2006, 4 August 1892, Page 46

The Evidence was Strong Enough.

A boy was summoned to testify in a case of assault in which one man had hit another with a shovel. A host of witnesses had been called, who " beat about the bush" in the most tedious and provoking manner.

This annoyed the lawyer for the prosecution, who broke out as follows : " Here, boy, we've been going round and round this case for hours, and yet have no evidence to convict the prisoner. Now, sir," he savagely continued, " do you hear me ? I want you to come to the direct point Did you seethe blow struck ? "

"Yes, sir."

"Ah, ha, J> chuckled the' lawyer, rubbing his hands, ♦• we have something to work upon. Here, my good lad, take this cane (handing him his walking stick). If you saw tho blow struck, you must know how it was given."

" Yes, sir, I '

" Now then, no words about it, I tell you ! " thundered the interrogator. " I'm tho complainant and you are tho prisoner. Now, just raise the stick and show the court."

The bewildered boy did "ruiso the stick," and the next moment it came down upon the bald pate of the astonished lawyer, and sent him staggering to his seat.

" That's the way it was done, sir," said the boy, amid tho shrieks of laughter of the whole courtroom. The discomfited counsel, with a ghastly attempt to smile, said that he had done with the witness, the evidence was direct.