A SCORE FOR JOHN .WILLIAMS.
An important case was being tried before the Criminal Court of .the District of Columbia. An old negro was in the witness-box. The district attorney had before him a long list of convicted criminals. After glancing at it he thus interrogated the witness:— " What is your name?" "John Williams, sab." " Are you the John Williams who was sent to the Albany Penitentiary for larceny?" " No, sah — not this John." " Are you the John Williams who was convicted of avson and sent to th© Baltimore Penitentiary?" ~<'No, sah." Tired of asking fruitless questions the district attorney suddenly put a leading an&. . " Have you ever been in any penitentiary?" " Yes, sat." All eyes were now turned upon the witness. The district attorney smiled complacently and resumed : — " How many times have you been in the penitentiary?" "Twice, sah." "Where?" " In Baltimore, sah." " How long were you there the .first time?" " About two hours, sah." "How long the second time?" asked the attorney, rather crestfallen. "An hour; sah. T went the.re to whitewash a cell that was wanted for a lawyer who had robbed his client." The attorney sat down amid the laughter of the spectators. \
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS19080821.2.58
Bibliographic details
Star (Christchurch), Issue 9320, 21 August 1908, Page 3
Word Count
197A SCORE FOR JOHN .WILLIAMS. Star (Christchurch), Issue 9320, 21 August 1908, Page 3
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