Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 July 1882 — A Blind Witness. [ARTICLE]

A Blind Witness.

In an assault and battery case before a Wayne county Justice, the prosecution introduced a blind man, who had to be led to the witness-box. “Is this a legal trial or a farce ? ” demanded the lawj er for the defense as he sprang up. “This is a legal trial,” replied the other lawyer. “And you want a blind man sworn to tell what he saw, do you ? ” “ I don’t claim that I saw the fight,” replied the witness as he turned around. “Then what do you know about it?” “ Well, sir, I’m going to the stand to swear to what I heard. I’ve been blind and lame and had corns and boils for the last fourteen years, but when I hear the splinters fly from a rail fence I don’t want any eyes to tell me whether the plaintiff hit the top rail with his head or feet! I heard the * kerchug’ of the. blow, and when the plaintiff came down and hollered: ‘Oh! lads, but I’m a licked man ! ’ I knew by the way he hung to his words that he’d lost half his front teeth. I’m ready, your Honor I ”—Detroit Free Press.