A DANGEROUS PROCEEDING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue XXII, 30 November 1895, Page 696

A DANGEROUS PROCEEDING.

The unmarried woman of uncertain age was on the witness stand, and the prosecuting attorney, for some reason, was disposed to nag her. * I believe,’ he said, * that you gave your name as Mary Howitly, unmarried ?’ * I did,’ she replied stubbornly. * And wbat is your age ?’ * I decline to answer.’ ‘But the court wishes to know.’ * It’s none of the court’s business,’ snapped the witness. The judge became intent on the instant. * What’s that madam ?’ he asked sharply. * I said, your honor, that it was none of the courts business what my age is.’ * The witness will answer the question,’ frowned the judge. 'The witness will do nothing of the kind,’ replied the lady. ‘ The court insists,' said the judge. * And why ?’ asked the witness. ‘Will I tell the truth with any the less impartiality, whether I am 20 or 70?’ The judge was thinking of a fitting answer when the prosecutor put in : * May it please the court,’ he said severely, ‘ this is contempt and should be punished accordingly.’ The witness smiled most exasperatingly. * May it please the court.’ she said in close imitation of the prosecutor, * you may fine me for contempt if you wish, but it will not make me answer. Your Honor and the gentleman who asks me the question are elected to the offices you fill by the people, and you are both willing to be elected again. Imprison me if you wish, I shall not answer ; but I will say to both of you, now, that when the people know you have punished a woman for refusing to tell her age, you will never be elected to office again in a thousand years. Women have some rights that are bound to be respected, and public sentiment has accorded us this one. So there.’ The judge looked down at the prosecutor and the prosecutor looked up at the judge, and the matter was allowed to drop.