A SPEAKING FACE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8784, 11 April 1907, Page 1

A SPEAKING FACE.

A famous lawyer once had a client named Michael Dougherty, who had been arrested for the illegal sale of liquor. The police had no evidence except one pint of whisky which their search of his premises revealed. In court this evidence was produced, and a somewhat vivid case of prima-facie evidence of guilt by the prosecuting attorney. During all this counsel for the prisoner was silent. his turn came for the defence, he rose and said, “ Michael Dougherty, stand up.” And Mike, with big, red nose, unshaven face, bleared eyes, and general appearance of dilapidation, stood up. “ Michael Dougherty, look upon the jury. Gentlemen of she jury, look on Michael Dougherty.” Jury and prisoner mutually complied, The counsel himself silently and steadily gazed at Mike for a moment, then slowly and solemnly turned gto the jury, and said:

“Gentlemen of the jury, do you mean to say to this Court and to me that you honorably and truly believe that Michael Dougherty, if he had a pint of whisky, would sell it. ?” Mike, be it added, was acquitted.