The Guileless Witness

Do you know the prisoner well . asked the attorney. "Nover knew him siek," replied the verdant witnes. "No levity, bir, " said the lawyer with a heavy frown. "Now, did you ever see the prifloner at the bar?" "Yes, sir. Took niany a drink with him at the bar." "Answer my question. IIow long have you known liiin?' "From two feet up to five feet ten." "Will thcoourt- " "I have, jedge," Sftid the witnens, aqticipating the lawyer. "I have answered the question. I knowed hiui when a boy two toet long and a man five feet ten." "Your honor - " "Fact, jedge; I'ni under oath,," perfiated the witncss. Thu lawyer aróse, placed botli hands on the tablc, spread bis logs wide apart, luaned his body over, and said : "Will you teil the court wliat you know about tliis case?" "That ain't his name." "W'bat ain't his name ?" "Case." "Who said it was?" "You did." "I did not." "You asked me what I knew about this Case - his natuo's Sniith." "Your honor," howled the attorney plueking his beard out by tho roots, "will you make tliis man answer?" "Witneps, you must answer the queations put to you." "Land o' Goshen, jedge, hain't I bia doin it. Let this blamed cuss firo away. I guess he'll find I'm ready." "Then," said the lawyer, "don't beat about the bush any more. You and the prisoner have been friends?" "Never." "What, sir. Weren't you summoned here asa friend?" "No, sir. I was summoned here as a Preíbyteriai. Nary one of us was ever Fiiends - he san oíd lino Baptist, without a drop of Quaker blood in him." "Stand down, ir !" ycllud tho lawyer, in deep disgust. "I ley?" "Stand down." "Can't do it." "Whynot?" "I'll sit down or stand up - " "Sheriff, remove that man." Witness retires, muttering, " If that ain't the dull hoadodest cuss I ever lail my eyes