OCR Text |
Show KNEW THEY WERE NOT GHOSTS. Words the Old Lady Overheard Settled That Matter. i "During the trials of tho James gang in Independence, Mo., In 1881," said the Missouri man, "an old woman testified tes-tified for the stnto that she saw the prisoner, one of tho notorious James brothers, the night beforo tho robbery l and heard him talking about this rob- i bery to her husband. When counsel for the defense look tho witness for cross-examination he began as follows: fol-lows: " 'Now, Mrs. Blank, toll us again how it happened that you saw the prisoner that night.' " 'Well, he came to tho house along airly in tho evening, and asked me where .vn3 my old man. I said outdoors out-doors somcwhercs, and ho went out to find him. After a while I reckoned I'd better go out and see If ho found him. I heard voices In the cornpatch and -i went along and looked through the ' fence and saw 'em.' " 'Mrs. Blank, I want to know if you s believe In ghosts In spooks?' " 'I' don't know as it's any of your business whether I do or not.' '"You must answer tho question.' "'V.'clJ, tnen I do.' "'They've been seen around your house, havan't they?' "'Yes, sir, they hev; I'vo seen 'om myself. " 'Ghosts have been seen walking about outside by you and members of your family, haven't they?' "'Yes, sir, they hev.' " 'Well, Mrs. Blank, I want to know how can you swear it wasn't ghosts you saw In the cornfield that night. How do you know It wasn't ghosts7 " "Caus'o they war a-cussln,' said tho old woman." " n - ' |