The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1876-01-20

suppose" said an Iowa attorney
to witness whom he was crOss-eK-
amining "SuppOse, sir, I should tell
you that [ could bring dozen Of your
own neighbors who would swear they
would not believe you under oath
What would you say to that ?n And
the witness replied very pleasantly,
81 should say you lied"
1t is not often that the tables are
thus turned on a brOW-beatiug aud in
sOlent attorney, for unfortunately the
latter always has the advantage, and
too often is disposed to press it un-
fairly. There are instances of this al
most every day IN cur courts. A
modest, quiet business man, unused
to standing before q great audience, is
placed in the witness-box. He un.
luckily knows some important facts
about case on trial before an intelli-
gent jury. He states these facts
truthfully and without malice. They
are, though not with any eonnivanee
on his part, fatal to the other side.
The only remedy, therefore, is to de-
strOy his evidence. Consequently an
important little fellow, with bristling
hair and pompous tone, prepares to
eXtinguish him. Leaning back I'm his
chair AMI glaring at the modest man,
the attorney opens "NOW, sir, what
is your name ?" or course he knows
il, the jury know it, the court knows
it, but the attorney asks it again, as
il it We're of the greatest impOrtance,
and the witness might deny his
name on second thought. So he says,
"NOw, sir, what is your uame ?"
Thomas Brown" responds tae
modest man.
"What ?n screams the lawyer
'iSpeak up, can't yOu2 You are not
ashamed OF your name, are you ,"
''No, sir" replies Brown.
"Very we'll Then speak up, 80 the
jury can hear you. Now, sir, what is
your interest in this case ?'' with a
significant lOOK at the jury.
81 have no interest in it," replies
the witness.
The attorney looks horrIfet ar the
total depravity of the witness. He
glances at the jury again, as much as
to say "Gentlemen, did yCu ever
behold such turpitute ?" and then
goes on speaking deliberately, and
emphasizing every word with a beck
OF his fOre-fnger, "DO you swear, sir,
before this jury, and in presence OF
this court, aud on your solemn oath,
that you have No interest in this
case ?'i
ayes, sir" says Brown, b.u5jing.
"Yes, yO1 have, or yes, you htye
not p"
al have not"
"Hsvn't you confessed within the
past week t. three different r art .es
that you have an interest ~
"NO, sir';' replies Brown, trem-
bling, and trying to think il he has
ever uttered a word that eoulI be
tortured into such an admission.
"You swear hefOre this jury" says
the attorney, "that you have never
talked about this matter ~
81 did not say had not talked, re-
piled the witness.
"Ah, ha Then you have talked ~
exelaims the attorney. "I thought I
could refresh your recollection"
81 only said" continues the wit
ness, desiring 10 explain but he is
stopped abruptly.
dNever mind wha: you said, sir.
When 1 want to know what you have
said l will inquire Of you. I under
stand you now to admit that you
have talked about the matter. Is
that right %
81 simply talked
"Will you please answer my ques-
ton ?" thunders the attorney. Have
you talked. or have you not? Yes or
no ?"
"Yes, but"
THAT will do you need not 20 on,
sir. That Is ample. At last you ad-
NIT that you, q witness, an important
witness, in this case, have been
around the town discussing the mat
ter! Do you think that is the proper
thing, sir, for q witness t) DO ?'
The witness, abashed and humili.
ated, remains silent.
"WilI you answer, cir ," cOntiaI =
the lawyer, threateningly. "DO you
come before this Jury, expecting t. be
/ believed, while admitting that you
have made this case the subject OF
hope and fear, and discussed It on the
street %
The witness tries to explain, but il
told to "stand down." and leaves the
box, feeling that in some way he has
been made to appear like rascal J
perjurer, when be is as absolutely freS
\ from bias or prejudice as the most dis
interested spectator IN the room. Any
one vino is at all familiar with Ou
courts will see that tue above Is a verN
faint picture OF the "badgering" &
which witnesses are subjected. In
deed, q man giving bis testimon,