The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1873-04-30
A BmHT WITH a RAILROAD.

tried to use a ticket backwards, as it
is called, and sued the company for
damages IA account of the injuries he
sustained, gives the following interest
ing account of scenes in court:
The first question: of the counsel
for the corporation we're gentle, sooth-
ing and seductive; but, finding that l
refused the hidden pitfalls into which
he would fain lead me, he changed
his method, and strove to make me
exhibit myself as u Common travel
ing agent" who had deliberately plot
ted to swindle the railroad company
by trumping up claim for damages
for a pretended injury. He interro-
gated me as to the particulars of my
physical discnmforts: on what days
did l suffer pain from my injury ?
Did the weather effect my state of
health Then he required me to con-
slider what mean, contemptible fell
low / was to try to save two dollars
and quarter by using an old ticket,
Then he demanded to know why need
| be such trough" and get into that
disgraceful quarrel, disturbing the
other passengers, assulting the rail-
road officials; and making them leave
their business and come all the way to
Boston, when l might have paid my
fare, and everything would have been
smooth2
On another trial the lawyer who
conducted the case in behalf of the
railroad company, thundered out this
command "Now, sir, look upon the
Jury and tell them why you broke the
rules of that road-why you attempt
ed to use that ticket? A man of your
age and your experience in travelling
must have known batter. What made
you think you could do it?" A hush
followed this indignant outburst.
Every eye in the courtroom was fix
ed upon me the spectators straighten-
ed themselves in their seats to listen
reporters lifted their heads and fng-
cred their pencils nervously; the law
yers within the bar winked at each
other significantly F.; and the presiding
Judge bent forward with an air Of
grave expectation.
My answer was deliberate, for I had
outgrown my original nervousness
and was hardened to the asperities ol
judicial inquisition: "On general
principles, when l pay dollar for a
thing, ] am entitled to the equivalent
of that dollar, wbsther buy rail
road ticket or potatoes"
"Y-e-s," rejoined the lawyer, slowly
and with sneer in every word, "and
when you buy potatoes, you think you
can take it out in sugar or tea, if you
prefer" He had made good point
he thought, and he cast about the
room look inviting congratulatiOn
"No," I said, Il do not think car
take it out in sugar or tea. But
think, if ! buy barrel of potatoes it:
nobody's business but my own whethe,
| take the head out of the barrel and
eat through that way, or tip it the
other end up, apa go through tha'
way"
For once / had the whole court
with me in laugh, in which Judge
lawyers and spectators took eager
part, and my inquisitor dashed hi:
papers on the table and dropped into
his seat.
During the last trial | had testified
that | knew tickets had been used
backwards" OH the road, and | believe
such usage amounted to a custom
My tormenter asked why l did moi
bring witnesses to prove such a custom
| replied that we did introduce wit.
ness for that purpose, but the defend
ants counsel refused to permit him tc
testify, declaring that the custom o.
the road had pOIhing to do with the
case only the rule Of the road was tc
be considered. The counsel denied
this, and affirmed that he would moi
have objected to such testimony if We
had been able to produce it. A gen
tleman sitting among the spectator;
rose and whispered to my lawyer
and as soon as / left the witness stand
he was called and sworn, the opposing
counsel watching the proceeding with
pndisguised curiosity. "Mr. Witness,
asked my lawyer, "you have travelled
good deal on The New York & New
Haven Railroad, have you not 2
"Yes, sir" Estate whether or moi
you ever had had any tickets to go in
the reverse direction, and how they
HeTe marked" W."
Before the witness could answer
the counsel for The railroad sprang pT
and yehemently protested against tht
Introduction of the evidence. The
Judge evidently did not comprehend
the situation, apd tprAed ar inquiring
look upon my lawyer, who answered
| II hv sa,,ino, tfXanr Horoy Az 1oe,n1