EDITOR'S WALLET.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 91

EDITOR'S WALLET.

Her Opinion of Him.

If there is anything exasperating in this life it v the barrister who delights to bully and otherwise despitefuliy use a witnes3, more particularly when that witness is a woman. It is on this account that there is a generai 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 she was -% very nice-mannered, respectable woman, who kept a oheap boarding-house, and it, was the desire of one of her guests to be dishonest thau had brought her to thq ■court to make him pay his board bill. "How old did you cay you were, madam?" inquired the lawyer, with no reason on -earth, for an elderly landlady is no more anxious to lose a board bill than a younqr one.

"I did not say, sir," she responded, flushing to the roots of her hair. i<s "Will you be kind enough to say, madam?" "It'e none of your business." "Objection sustained," smiled the judge. "Urn," said the lawyer, rubbing his chin. "How much did you 6ay 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 ithree pounds, I believe you said?" "Yes, sir." The witness was patient, but her temper \was not improved under the strain. "Isn't that 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 to turn. _ The l&wyer ga-ve 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. "Thje is a serious matter. I havp asked if your pricp«

wore not exorbitant, and you haie seen fit to answer lightly, madam. Nc v, madam, I ask jou in all earnestness li -ou mean to toll thu court that your prices are moderate, and that if I 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. Too witness was not at all abashed. "No, sir," she said simply. "I would

"I thought not, I thought not," interrupted the lawyer, bending over and rubbing his hands. "No, sir," coaiinued the witness, " I should not charge you at all. I should make you pay in advance." Then the court forgot all about its dignity arid everybody laughed except the lawyer.