Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 February 1890 — Witness and Judge. [ARTICLE]

Witness and Judge.

An amnsing scene was recently enacted in a country court room in Maine, says the Lewiston Journal. The trial justice, a big, pompous official, with a voice like a trombone, took it upon .himself to examine a witness, a little, withered old man, whose face was as red and wrinkled as a smoked herling. “What is your name?” asked the justice. “Wy, squire,” said the astonished witness, “you "know my name as well as I know yourn.” •‘Never you mind what I know or what I don’t know,” was the caution given with magisterial severity. “I asked the question in my official capacity and you’re bound to answer it under oath.” ———

With a contemptuous snort the witness gave his name, and the questioning proceeded. “Where do you liveP" “Wal, I shum!” ejaculated the old man. “Why,” he continued, appealing to the laughing witnesses, “I’ve lived in this town all my life, and so’s he, ” pointing to the justice*, “an’, b’ gosh, to hear him go on you’d think—” “Silence!” thundered the irate magistrate. ‘ ‘Answer my question or I’ll fine you for contempt of court” Alarmed by the threat the witness named his place of residence and the examination went on. “What is your occupation P” “Huh?” “What do you do for a livingP” “Oh, git out, squire! Jest as if you don’t know that I tend gardens in the summer season an’ saw wood in the winter!" *■ “As a private citizen I do know it. but as the court I know nothing about you,” exclaimed the perspiring justice. • ‘Wal, squire,” remarked the puzzled witness, * 'if you know somethin’ outside the court room and don’t know nothin’ in it, pou'd better git out an’ let somebody try this case that’s got hoss sense.” The advice may have been well meant, but it cost the witness $lO. The high indorsements by the United States and Canadian governments of Dr. Price’s Cream Baking Powder, for strength, purity and efficiency, are substantial recognitions of true merit.