Show I 1 EX examining amiling witnesses Wilne sies I 1 the courier des elate Unis thus hits off the course of examination allowed flowed in the walker divorce trial lately pending in new york and bore whose interminable I 1 length was an intolerable 1 ht t one time one of 0 the counsel rises in the of an anim unimportant portent examination arid and fixing i on the witness a triumphant and insulting look questions him after the following manner 44 when five years sines since i y you on saw as you say may mr X pass his arru arm around the waist of M mrs re W s the plaintiff did you wear new boots or did you have on boots which had been mended be careful what you say con eider aider before apu answer gat fiat the counsel for the opposite party rises in turn his hia eyes flashing with indignation he forbids the witness to answer the question for his boots had nothing to do with the subject of the suit A learned and discussion eni unifies fies one supports his argame its with blackstone the other relies on kent and recent american decisions both sides get heated the whole audience is excited no doubt the life or at any rate the honor of the accuse accused di depends defends upon the boots worn by the wi witness iness in inthe te meantime the court adjourns and for an ail hour 1 or two you may see groups lingering coi corridors of them the city hall discussing earnestly the question of the immor immortal til boots at last the court reopens re opens andreach one malrey his hid place in the meantime the witness fixed in his sent seat mute and immovable has become the target for all eyes which are eagerly and wonderingly directed towards him it has now come to the judged judge Is turn to speak if the question merely regarded such or r uch fuch boots undoubtedly it would be a very tyrannical ran stretch of authority to force foice the witness to answer but inasmuch as it was a question quest ibn concerning boots worn under 6 urh buh and such circumstances cum stances in view of such and such precedents arid and on consulting such arid and such authorities and whereas article 3rd ard of such a statute places the witness unreservedly in the hands of the counsel the court is of opinion and decides that the witness must answer the question proposed posed to him each one of the spectators holds his breath and raises up on the points of his toes to hear the answer A dead silence reigns through the court room the plain plaintiff Ciff becomes pale the jury look more and more serious one of the lawyers bites his lips with anger while his adversary smiles slightly the judge is as dignified and impassable as the law the crier calls isi silence at last I 1 in a distinct voice them the answers 11 1 I did not wear boots at alt all on that occasion I 1 wore shoes all breathed freely again and they pass to another deposition t |