A Close Witness — 241
During a recent trial at Auburn, the following occurred to vary the monotony of the proceedings:—Among the witnesses was one as verdant a specimen of humanity as one would wish to meet with. After a severe cross-examination the counsel for the Government paused, and then putting on a look of severity and ominous shake of the head, exclaimed, “Mr. Witness, has not an effort been made to induce you to tell a different story?” “A different story from what I have told, sir?” “That is what I mean.” “Yes, sir; several persons have tried to get me to tell a different story from what I have told, but they couldn’t.” “Now, sir, upon your oath, I wish to know who these persons are.” “Wall, I guess you’ve tried ’bout as hard as any of them.” The witness was dismissed, while judge, jury, and spectators indulged in a hearty laugh.