Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 248, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 October 1911 — LOST THE CASE [ARTICLE]

LOST THE CASE

A lawyer was defending a case where a fruit broker brought an action for the recovery of one hundred dollars, the price for a consignment of figs Which the plaintiff declared to be unfit for human food. The defense alleged that although moderately discolored hy salt water, as the plaintiff knew when he bought them, the figs were perfectly wholesome. Ti\e figs were in court , ' The plaintiff, who conducted his own case, was skillfully cross-examined. The trial was obviously going against him, and once or twice he retorted so hotly that the Judge threatened to commit him for contpmpt. At length he grew desperate, and turning to the Opposing counsel, hoarse and perspiring, he said; “Look here, you say them figs are good to eat, and I say they ain’t. That’s ail there is between us, ain’t it? Now, if you’ll eat two of them figs and you ain’t ill immediately afterward, I’ll lose my case.” The Judge at once saw the propriety of this suggestion, and asked the lawyer what he proposed to do. “Your honor is trying the case, not 1,” wks the reply. -