At these touching words, the young man at the bar burst out crying, said “he was a respectable man, and it was all got up against him;” whereupon Mr. Nimble said “he must be quiet, and that his lordship and the gentlemen in the box would take care of him and not allow him to be trampled on.”
“You are liable,” said the Judge, “to be prosecuted for perjury if you do not tell the truth.”
“Well, then, your lord, if a man maun goo to prison for losin’ his watch, I’ll goo that’s all; but that ere man stole un.”
“I object,” said Mr. Nimble; “that is a leading question.”
“Yes,” said the Judge; “I think that is rather leading,” Mr. Newboy; “you may vary the form though, and ask him whether the prisoner stole it.”
“Really, my lord,” said Mr. Nimble, “that, with very great respect, is as leading as the other form.”
“Not quite, I think, Mr. Nimble. You see in the other form, you make a positive assertion that he did steal it; in this, you merely ask the question.”
And I saw that this was a very keen and subtle distinction, such as could only be drawn by a Chancery Judge.
“Would it not be better, my lord, if he told us what took place?”
“That is what he is doing,” said the Judge; “go on, witness.”
“I say as ’ow thic feller comed out and hugged up aginst I and took ’t watch and runned away. I arter’d him, and met him coomin’ along wi’ it in ’s pocket; what can be plaainer an thic?”
There was great laughter as Mr. Bumpkin shook his head at the learned counsel for the defence, and thumped one hand upon the ledge in front of him.
“That will do,” said Mr. Newboy, sitting down triumphantly.
Then the counsel for the defence arose, and a titter again went round the Court, and there was a very audible adjustment of persons in preparation for the treat that was to come.
“Oh, certainly,” said his lordship; “let an easy-chair be brought immediately.”
“Now then, Mr. Bumpkin, or whatever your name is, don’t lounge on the desk like that, but just stand up and attend to me. Stand up, sir, and answer my questions,” says Mr. Nimble.
“I be standin’ oop,” said Bumpkin, “and I can answer thee; ax away.”
“Just attend,” said the Judge. “You must not go on like that. You are here to answer questions and not to make speeches. If you wish those gentlemen to believe you, you must conduct yourself in a proper manner. Remember this is a serious charge, and you are upon your oath.”