Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1889-11-30
a TYPICAL WITNESS.
What Mrs. Knapp Knew About an AS
sault and Battery Case.

What Mrs. Knapp Knew About an AS
sauIt and Battery Case.
There is no witness so difficult to
handle as the one who insists on en-
tightening justice by giving recital
of some purely personal matter utterly
irrelevant to the case on trial. 1hls
STYLE of witness is usually female
and the exasperated lawyers feel ten
years younger when she steps down
from the witness stand.
A lady of this turn of mind was late
Iv n witness in an assault and battery
case which was tried before Justlce
Duffy in New York. She lived on the
same floor with the Pattersons, VINO
had INDUCED in connublal fracas. IL
was thought that Mrs. Knapp's testl-
mony would throw a food of light on
the somewhat conflicting statements OF
the other witnesses. Mrs. Knapp.
whose Jaw WAS tied up; curtsied to the
court, smiled at the jurors. and having
been sworn. assumed an affidavit ex-
preston of countenance, and waited
for something to turn up. 1t may be
mentioned incidentally that the wit
ness husband was in court, and seated
by the side OF the lawyer of Mr.. Pat
terson. who was being prosecuted by
Mrs. Patterson.
Mrs. Knapp, what do you know
about this case?" asked the lawyer.
Il woke up off and on during the
night, and my jaw ached so that"
Lawyer-''Never mind your jaw.
Please confne yourself to the assault.
salt is no good. I've tried bags of
hot salt until the skin was blistered."
please tell what you know about
this difficulty"
Just so. Well, as l was saying
when | got up l knew | was in for
bad day, so says to my husband"
Madam" said the little justice,
blandly, 1--WE would like to get at the
root of this matter
That's just what | was doing when
you spoke. felt sure there was an
abscess at the root Of"
Madam. wilt you please tell what
you know about Patterson striking his
wife?n
In a minute, your honor. | was
sitting in the kitchen holding my jaw,
and
Mr.. Knapp Ito lawyer)-"That's a
lie. Nothing-not even the toothache
can make her hold her jaw"
Justice Duffy-"Keep right on,
madam, and tell what you know about
the row."
Mrs Patterson came into the
kitchen, and she says"
Every body now became interested
and leaned forward to hear what was
coming.
Yes, she came into my kitchen, and
she says just what your Honor said
put salt on it"
Justice Duffy" Madam, Isaid moth
ing of the kind. Your tongue seems
to be like one of the planets. Nothing
short of the power that started it can
stop it."
Mr.. Knapp-'Duffy has got her
down fine. She is like an old hen.
When she starts to cackling she don't
need any help"
Mrs. Knapp with a scornful look at
Kpapp)-'I walked the floor fer hours
and hours Mrs Patterson says II
Justice Duffy-"Well. nobody ex-
To
hours. Will you answer the lawyers
question:
"Of course. Amt that what I've
been doing? My husband, who is al
ways full of fun when he isn't full of
beer, told me l had better come and
see you"
Justice Duffy-"See me?"
Mrs. Knapp-"Yes, he said l ought
to see somebody with pull, and you
had the biggest pull in the ward. y
Lawyer-''M Madam. you can step
down"
Mrs. Knapp-''You don't want to
hear my testimony
Justice Duffy-'NO, madam, you are
not required any longer"
Mrs Knapp-"Well, this is a pretty
how-de-do. Here leave the clothes
in the tub, and the breakfast dishes
not washed, to come here aud tell you
what | know, and I'm snubbed this
way It's just outrageous
Justice Duffy-''Call the the next
witness.
Exit Mrs. Knapp Indignantly
Texas Siftings.