“KISS THE BOOK.”

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2257, 11 June 1880, Page 2

“KISS THE BOOK.”

When the jurors at the Supreme Court, Timavu, were asked if they had any applications to make, a sturdy looking man with a square chin, that had evidently bade good-bye to the razor several weeks ago, stepped up to the front. “ What do you wish P” asked the associate. “ Bedad, I want to go away!” was the reply. “On what grounds do you want tc bo excused p” “ Sure I’m too ould, I’m seventy, sor.” was the reply. “You’re seventy, are you. Swear him then,” said Ills Honor. The oath was recited and the Book presented to the juror, but when asked to kiss it, lie drew back his bead, and looking np pleadingly at the Bench, exclaimed “ Sure, I’m .seventy, sor.” “ That may be, but you must be sworn,” replied his Honor. Another attempt was made to administer the oath, but it ladled again at the point where the witness was asked to “ kiss the Book.” “ I want to get away, yer Honor,” again appealed the juror recoiling from the latest sixpenny edition of the scriptures issued by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, as if it was a loaded revolver. “But you will have to be sworn,” said the Judge imperatively. The Associate looked 1 irmly at the juror, and made another attempt, winding- up by dexterously thrusting the Book right under Ids nose, and authoritatively exclaiming “ kiss it.” The juror again drew back. “ Kiss the Book,” followed up the Associate, almost pushing it into Ids lingers. With a despairing effort the juror clutched the glazed covers of the cheapest edition of the Word, made a rapid pass before Ids lip.s, uttered a lively smack, and; threw it back as if glad to get ,- !d of it. “ That won’t do,” said Ids llmn.r, recognising the lapse of time between the recital of the oath, and the dual kissing ceremony, “ Are you an Irishman P” “I am that, your Honor,’’ said the juror in a loud lone of voice, as if his national pride liad been suddenly aroused. “ Then why do yon ’refuse to kiss the boot: when you’re an Irishman V” The oath was administered without further reluctance.

“ How old arc you P You say you arc seventy?” said the Judge. “ Sixty-eight, yer Worship.” “ Ah !” said His Honor, as if a happy idea had struck him, “ that was the reason you didn’t like to be sworn ! You can go.” “You arc excused,” added the Associate.

“Thank you —thank yer honor, and long life to you,” said the juror, as he bowed respectfully to the wide-a-wake in his hand, and retreated from view.