DIRECT EVIDENCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 695, 13 August 1875, Page 4

DIRECT EVIDENCE.

The Detroit Free Press Las the following : A boy was summoned to testify in a case of assault, in which one man had hit another with a hoe. A host of witnesses had been called who “ beat about the bush” in a most tedious and provoking manner, without giving one iota of inculpating proof This annoyed the lawyer for theprosecutibn who broke out as follows as the boy entered the box; “ Here, boy, we’vebeen goingaround this case all day, and yet have no evidence to convict the prisoner. How sir,” he savagely continued, “do you hear me 1 1 want you to come direct to the point. Did you see the blow struck 1” “ Yes, sir, I—” “Ah ah !” chuckled the lawyer, rubbing his palms, “ we shall have something to work upon. Here, my good lad, take this cane (handing him his walking-stick). If you saw the blow struck, you must know just how it was given.” “ Yes sir, I—” “ Now, then, no words about it, I tell you ! ” thundered his Interrogator, “ I am the defendant and you are the prisoner. Now just i-aise the stick and show the Court.” The bewildered lad did “ raise the Stick,” and the next instant it came crashing down upon the head of the astonished lawyer, echoing from his bald pate to the end of the room, and sent him staggering to his seat. “ That’s the way it was done, sir,” said the boy, amid the shrieks of laughter of the whole court-room. The discomfited counsel, with a ghastly attempt at a smile, said that he had done with the witness j the evidence was direct.