Part 8 (1/2)
”That law don't seem to apply to this case,” said the police-Judge.
”Shut up,” said Budlong, ”I ain't through. What do you know about law, anyhow?”
”I ain't very strong on tecknickelties,” said the police-Judge, ”duly elected by the voters of this town, I am the Court, and as such I perpose to perside, and I demand, sah, your respectful recognition of that fact.”
”Duly elected,” said Budlong, ”because n.o.body else would have it. But, gentlemen of the jury, I shall read you Section 1166, which is as follows, 'If any person shall draw and present a pistol, loaded with lead or other substance, or shoot at and wound another with the intention to kill him, so that he does not die thereby, he shall be confined in the penetentiary not less than one, or more than five years.
There's your law, gentlemen. Call the first witness!”
”Bill Shonts!” called the marshall. Bill came to the chair.
”What's your name?”
”W'y, Jedge, you know my name.”
”Answer my question. What's your name?”
”Bill Shonts.”
”Where do you live?”
”Sho, Jedge, you've knowed me all my life!”
”That ain't the question. You answer accordin' to the custom of the court.”
”I want you to state what you know about this case.”
”Directly, or indirectly, Jedge?”
”Where was you when this difficulty started?”
”Well, sir, I was not in any one certain spot, directly, but indirectly, I was jest beginnin' to--”
”State where you was at!” thundered Budlong.
”Well, sir, jest at the time of this difficulty, I was jest beginning to take a nap--”
”Do you mean to say that you was asleep?”
”Not directly, Jedge, but--”
[Ill.u.s.tration: ”W'y, Jedge, you know my name.”]
”Where was you when the d.a.m.n lie pa.s.sed?”
”Jest beginning to move.”
”Did you see Doctor Hissong draw a pistol?”
”No, sir, not directly.”