What is HoneBtyP

Manawatu Herald, 27 April 1895, Page 2

What is HoneßtyP

During the great gun case tried in the beginning of the month in Melbourne, a witness testified to having stamped sporting guns with names of different makers as be might be ordered. Counsel attempted to find out what this witness's idea of honesty was, as the following dialogue will show : — Cross-examined by Mr Duffy : Are you an honest man ? — As far as I can be. ' What is the limitation you put on your honesty ?— I have to earn niy living, and did the work, t suppose you'll say it wasn't honest of me. What do you mean ? — I was doing dishonest work for my Hying. Do you consider it dishonest ? — It wasn't honest, but it had nothing to do with me. •You worked for ten years with these people ?— Yes. And for many years you were their instrument in perpetrating a cheat and a fraud ? — Yes. And drawing wages for it?— No, I was doing piece work. Were you drawing wages for cheating and defrauding the public ? Of course I was. And you were living from year to year on your frauds ?-*lt was their fraud, not mine. If I were owner of a horse and you were a jockey, and I told you to pull a horse, you would be justified in doing it ?— He would obey his master. You think that light?— Yes. ' Would you pick a pocket if told by your master ? — No. Where do you draw the line as to honesty ? — Keepin' out o' gaol.