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Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2286, 5 March 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

A GOOD story is told of a Confederate guard who was once on his duty over in South Carolina. An officer on duty was discussing war matters, and remarked: " You know your duty here, do you, sentinel ?" ' Yes, sir.' ' Well now, suppose they should open on you with shells and musketry, what would you do 'Form a line, sir.' 'What! one man form a line ?' "Yes, sir ; form a bee line for camp, sir." Ax eminent Lord Chief Justice, who was trying a right-of-law case had before him a witness—an old farmer—who was proceeding to tell the jury that he had ' knowed the path for GO yeer, and my feyther tould I as he heerd my granfey ther say "stop,' said the judge; we can't have hearsay evidence here.' ' Not!' exclaimed Farmer Giles. ' Then how dost know who thy feyther was 'cepf by hearsay?' After the laughter had subsided, the judge said, 'In courts of law we can ouly be guided with what you have seen with your eyes, and nothing more or less.' ' Oh, that be blowed for a tale!' replied the farmer. ' I ha' got a bile on the back of my neck, and I never seed 'un, but I be prepared to swear that he's thare, dang un V This second triumph on the part of the witness let in a torrent of hearsay evidence about the footpath which obtained weight with the jury and the farmer's party won,