§ 115 At the Crossing of the Ways
Beyond question his Honor on the bench was cross-eyed. Some persons went so far as to say that he was the crossest-eyed person or the cross-eyedest person, as the grammar may be, in the known world.
On a morning when for some reason or other his angles of vision seemed particularly out of alignment there were arraigned before him for preliminary examination three youths charged with hypothecating a stranger’s automobile to their own use. The oldest of the trio, and the supposed ringleader, stood between his two alleged confederates. Addressing the middle one the judge said:
“Young man, you are accused here of grand larceny. How do you plead, guilty or not guilty?”
Instantly the one on the left said:
“Not guilty, Your Honor.”
“I wasn’t addressing you,” sniped His Honor. “I was addressing this other accused. Wait until you’re spoken to.”
“Why, judge,” protested the one on the right. “I ain’t said a word.”