Some Leading Questions.

Manawatu Herald, Issue III, 10 March 1891, Page 2

Some Leading Questions.

Those who go Court, have at times ninny unexpected questions to reply to. In., the " Leaves of a Life " a story is told s prompted crosß-exal^||ppn of a witness, whose testinl(OTf|i|J ? was necessary to shake. " The Serjeant cross-examined him but with little result, and at last, giving the matter up as a bad job, he was about to resume his seat. It happened that Ballantine had taken up his position at the extreme end of the counsel's bench, close to the gangway, and by his side stood a man whose prominent nasel organ was an eloquent testimony to his origin. As soon as this individual perceived that my leader was about to close his cross-examina-tion, he whispered eagerly : " You are not properly instructed. You don't know the man ; I know all about him. Ask him, Serjeant — ask him if he ever had a fire." Quick as lightning Ballantine took the hint. Addressing the witness, he said " I think that on one occassion you were unfortunate enmigh to have a fire ? *l<- " Yes " said the witness. (" That's right," said my leader's prompter. " Claim against insurance — arson — Borough Road") " I think you lived in the Borough Road ?" said the Sergeant. " Yes " was the reply. " Insured ?" "JYes" " Company were wicked enough to dispute your claim ?" " Yes" " And to insist that the fire was not quite the result of accident ?" " Yes." " Well, to put the matter plainly, you were tried for arson ?" " Yes." " Convicted •?" j " Yes." " Penal servitude '?" " Yes." With a smile of triumph, and a look at the jury, Ballantine was again about to resume his seat. (" Not at all — not half " whispered the prompter. " Watch robberyBow street.") •' Do you know Bow. .street ?" drawled the Sergeant, again addressing the unfortunate witness. ; '■■ "Of course I do ; of course I know Bow street," answered the man i assuming somewhat of a less sheepish demeanour. • " I mean Bow street Police Court," said Ballantine " ever been there ?" " Yes " was the reply. " Another unfortunate circumstance in your somewhat varied life — watch robbery ?" " Yes." " Unfortunate again?" " I don't understand what you mean." " Yes you do — convicted ?" " Yes." Again the Sergeant was about to sit down, but the man at his elbow said : " Stay a minute, sir, stay a minute. Fraudulent bankruptcy." Ballantine, who thought he had extracted about enough from the witness, replied : " Oh, that's a mere trifle." " Never mind ; ask him, Sergeant, ask him," was the retort. The Sergeant then put the necessary question. The witness, becoming on a sudden virtuously indignant, replied : " Never ! upon my oath^-nevet, /I swear it!" f / Ballantine turned round to' his prompter, said : _ " What do you mean, sij^by giving me false information ?" " It's true Sergeant, it's true, ""the man responded, eagerly. " I swear it, and /ought to know. I'm r hid cwMed old father,"