The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-11-20
CRoss-ExAMINEs IN RHYME.
Lawyer Mirabeau l.. Towns Widens the
Field of His Poetic Gifts.

Counsellor Mirabeau L. Towns Of Brooklyn
has frequently summed up in rhyme. but it is
not recorded that until Friday last he ever
cross-examined a witness in rhyme. The wit
ness did not for some time recognize the fact.
Justice Frederick E.. Ward. who presided. first
noted the couuscl's effort and then the jurors
discovered it but the witness, intent upon his
expert testimony, seemed for a long time to-
tally unconscious that the questions rhymed
with each other. This appeared to amuse the
jurors still more.
Having succeeded so well in the cross-exam-
~ination, Mr.. Towns determined to do his sum
Minis up in similar fashion. utilizing verbatim
where possible the parts OF the examination
in which the rhyming had been most effective.
The appreciation his effort met with was mani
tested after the conclusion OF the case, when
Justice Ward honored the poet with q request
that the lines be dedicated to the court. and
the jurors each asked for q copy.
The case was that Of Bridget Lam gin. q young
woman who was injured at the Brooklyn end
OF the bridge on the night OF Nov. 4, 1894. when
she fell between a car and the station platform
on leaving u bridge train. 1t was the third
trial OF the case. which has already been
through the Court of Appeals, 1t is stated that
sue VAS. really merely a matter OF the assess
mept of damages. The chief feature OF the
trial was the expert testimony of two opposing
physicians, DR.. John &: Johnson, a witness for
tho pl4lptitf. and Or: Thomas W. Tophqm for
t tnS ss5G90s e. T To she 'f fn5nniss o vas sb tat Woman SHni
and their effect, upon, her: The Jury made
their choice, and aT9rdsMd the plaintiff $4,000
that furnished Mr.. Towns with the Inspiration
for his rhyming REORGANIZATION. The doc
the woman was not injured. declarations based
upon an examination he had made, OF, her,
under his touch: But the fact was settled: he
she was sound and, which could not 90 astray.
A. rs2 you used the rb iafaIli6le ststhose9PeY.
he had; And, with that the woman couldn't
cope 2, The doctor held that the testimony
fSsra bss pre Sny y a aarai tr1 IL I ne hs SAID sdI ,haf b hSd
rsti d,j T. s,k n9n Ybs can innI hear F 4 @q nSysiai1 Ple aura
6battIePa the lawyer plrsned. and the Doctor
assented. PERHAPS he, began 70 be suspicious.
his Riis1 ear "S and sd"N When i ns iii. L Towns Sais que gaeri led aPP Y
fRfbse SiS%y ee obs SPSed ne as 1refSt a m6 as d aSfisSt;
tul test" and the game was out. There had
given of the, rhyming questioning. and Mr..
Towns embodied the whole In his summing
what he said to the Jury;
Expert DR.. TophAm. what says hef
examined the piaintin mostcarefully,
] saw no more than ] wanted to see.
Ilaid my cheek upon her chest |
Il is q most delightful test; |
Then, II your ears are long like mino, |
And You have studied medicine. |
A mAnRled pleurH's rAle and rattle
You'll hear as plain as guns in battle. |
j looked her over carefully, |
! had 70 earn IN! eEpert's fee; /
] saH no more han j wanted to see. |
Each OF her ribs, or I'm no scholar,
Was good aud sound as q dAddy'B dollar |
So when the poor creature ventured to cope
With me, DIR. TOphanI. and my stethOscop0, |
For her, you will see, there was lite hope. |
bhe might scream in anguish till the end Of her
breath |
Ny opinion. once formed. would hol unto death.
She fell through a hole clear mp to her arm;
Yes, that's quite . fail. but II did her no harm; !
In fact, II shs'd fallen from Mount ChimbOrazo.
I'd say she's unhurt and continue to say so.
Such a fall from such u height I'm free TO observe
II, ght break all her ribs bur ne'er injure . nerve,
But ] hope to be seized with the dance of 81. yltuI
Il / found on the plaintiff interoostal neuritiS.
- you might ju I q vol SOP que tioning me.
i saw no more than i wanted to see. /
Tor I'm ~. TophAm and ] made up my nind
Before | saw Bridget Just what i would md.
buoh course IL easy, IL aAsista diagnosis
And aimpnhsH MASTERS for doctors kniFS q and dosOa"