How Old Was She.

Otago Witness, Issue 2603, 3 February 1904, Page 72

How Old Was She.

When beautiful Miss Bettie Smith — a native of a certain State of America — who was arrested on the charge of illicit distilling, was arraigned before the United States court at Nashville, *he conducted herself with such grace and dignity that the judge, deeply impressed, ro a c and mada her a polite bow. "Miss Smith," said the judge, "to see you in this awful predicament seriously touches me; it does, truly." "It does me, too, judge."

"How old are you?" "Judge, I am two years olde-r than my married sister, who was married before sha was as big as I am. She has been married: eighteen, months, and still speaks well of her husband. Now, how old am I?" "I cannot tell." "I am not to blame for your mathematical inefficiency."

"Why did you go into the distilling- business, Miss Smith?" "Because I wanted to mak& whisky." "How long have you been a distiller '"

"Ever sines- I was sixteen years old."

"When were you sixte-eii?" "The year my father disd." "What year was that?" "The year my Uncle Henry moved to Texas."

"Mis« iSmith, you are a woman, but £ insist that you shall answer my questions. Remember that, if convicted of this awful charge, you will be sent to the penitentiary. What did you do with the whisky yots made?" "Sold it."

"Who bought it?"

"Well, judge, it would be rather hard to tell who bought it all. Some time ago a» party of gentlemen came into my neighbourhood to hunt dder. The party got oufc of whisky and found it difficult to buy any. After a while I told a man if he would! put his jug down on a dollar and go away he might find tho jug full of whisky -when he came back. He did so." "Would you (know the nian?" "Oh, yea, sir; I recognised him in a moment. You're the man himself, judge."