WOUNDED HONOR.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1036, 14 February 1882, Page 4

WOUNDED HONOR.

A considerable amount of amusement (says the Tasmanian Hail) 'fis.s created at the Police Court through the stupidity of an elderly witness named T. Dargan, who related his grievance against a neighbor named Hogan in a most amusing manner. Dargan, who is the possessor of a thick Irish brogue, evidently felt very much hurt at having been called an “ old lag ” by his fellow-countryman Hogan, with whom he had a slight difference, from which the proceedings at the Court arose. After relating how Hogan had “ trampled a horse upon him ” and then gave him a “ welt over the head with a stick,” the witness added, almost with tears in his eyes, “ And, your Worship, he called me an ould lag.” After this the examination was carried on in the following manner : —Mr Collins (who appeared for the defence) : “ Now, Dargan, did he strike you with a stick ?” Witness (after considering a few seconds) ; “ Sorr ? ” Mr Collins : “ Did he strike you with a stick ?” Witness : “ An’ how would you like, Mr Collins, to be called an ould lag, after being 30 years in the Colony ?” Mr Murray : “ That has nothing to do with the case. Did he strike you with a stick ?” Witness : “ Didn’t I just ax Mr Collins how he would like to be called an ould lag after —” Mr Murray : “ Will

you be quiet ? Witness : “ I was 30 years in the Colony, and I never was called an ould lag before.” Mr Collins : “ Really, your Worship, if this goes on the examination must be closed.” Witness : “ Bad luck to him, Mr Collins, he called me an ould lag, and how would you ” Mr Murray: “You have said that several times, and I have listened to you very attentively. Now, will you answer the question ? Witness : “ Shure, didn’t I ax Mr Collins how he would like to be called an ould lag ?” Mr Murray: ■“ Stand down, sir.” Witness :— “ Sorr ?” Mr Murray : “ Stand down sir.” The examination of the witness was then closed, and he left the box with the look of a man who had undergone a great wrong written on his face.