The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1909-02-05

facts in the air; then, turning his
catlike eyes to the judges face, he
said solemnly:
g I saw nothing particular.
Matey Liska, said the Judge,
shortly, remember you have been
called before this court to witness.
Did you see these two men on tho
third Of July, and did the dog of An
ton Brambora bite the other man?'
'Matey stared up at the ceiling,
and after while acknowledged that
he had seen the two men, also the
dog.
Very good!' said the Judge.
Now tell us what you saw as quickly
as you cam.
{. 1T was So said Matey, scratch
ing his head. They met on the foot
path near the old oak. No, it was
near the big pine.
!" Never mind that: go on, said
the Judge, impatiently. They met
Now what did the dog do?'
Nothing said Matey.
'Nothing!' repeated the Judge
and the two lawyers. Now, Matey
Liska. said the Judge, severely, res
member you are before the court; no
silly joking
Now ! come to think of it, said
Matey, the dog wagged his TAIL
Oh, he did, indeed said the
Judge. And what did he do after
that. you idiot?'
Now, look here. You read q
fellow an oath, and tell him IL he
lies he will be cast into prison. And
when tell You the truth you call me
an idiot! If am an idiot. why did
you send for me to bear witness,
should like to know
'The Judge looked as black as
night.
Did the dog bite Jan Holub or
not? Answer, or / shall have you
imprisoned for contempt of court
'Matey considered the question.
and then answered slowly:
He may have bitten the man ac-
cidentally, but it was the sausage
he was after
What sausage?' asked the Judge.
i think it was sausage bought
from Alexander Wiastooka, or per-
haps from Vlastimil Zamecka, went
on Matey. 1t was long and red,
made out of horses flesh, probably.
A ten heller sausage should think
'Heavens!' said the Judge to the
lawyers, who were grinning in spite
of themselves. I asked you II you
saw the dog bite the man. Answer
me that. And at once, If you know
what is good for you!'
"sYou have sworn me to speak
the truth said the plain spoken
Matey, and / will speak the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but
the truth, before this court. The
dog wanted the sausage.
The Judge sat down and contem.
plated Matey. who looked the image
of righteous innocence. After .
while he said
We will leave the sausage out OF
the question. If you please. Did the
dog bite the man or not?'
Well said Matey, he may or
he may not have done so. The beast
is an honorable brute. / knew him
when he was puppy. Also hia
father and mother beforeshim. all OF
them respectable dogs. In grabbing
the sausage, he may possibly have
bitten the man little. But it was
unintentional. He was after the sau.
sage
Did you, or did you not, see him
bite the man? Was there blood ON
his hand?'
Heavenly goodness exclaimed
Matey. For judge to ask such a
question! Setting snare for poor,
unlearned lad to commit perjury!
How should the like of know how
to answer such questions? Can you
expect me to have the wisdom of
Solomon? Butchers hands are al.
ways smeared with blood. How do
you expect me, who am no doctor to
tell you what kind of blood it was
his own or an animal's?'
1.-THE judge turned to the law
yers.
't'I have no more questions to ask
this man. he said. Question him
who will
Anton Brambora's lawyer turned
to Matey.
So. young man. you did not see
| the dog bite my client?'
at saw him bite the sausage that
he held in his hand. 1t was fine
sausage
Then you cannot declare upon
oath that he bit him?'
"'I can declare this: That he
grabbed the sausage, and may have
bitten Internationally. He is right
minded dog. and would not bite ex.
cept in the way OF business.
THE other lawyer asked:
So you acknowledge then, that
he did not bite the mann
81 acknowledge nothing of the
kind, said Matey.
l tVnV 4