ses. In Glasgow
Sheriff Court one day a somewhat long and involved question was
addressed by the cross-examining agent to a witness who, from his stout
build and imperturbable manner, looked the embodiment of Scottish
caution. The witness, who was not to be so easily "had," having regarded
his questioner with a steady gaze for the space of almost a minute, at
last broke silence: "Would you mind, sir," said he, "just repeating
that question, and splitting it into bits?" And after the Court had
regained its composure the discomfited agent humbly proceeded to
subdivide the question.

* * * * *

In the old days when Highlanders "kist oot" (quarrelled) they resorted
to the claymore, but the hereditary fighting spirit appears nowadays in
an appeal to the law. Perth Sheriff Courts witness many a "bout" between
the stalwarts, who are not amiss to clash all round if need be. "You
must have been in very questionable company at the show?" inquired a
sheriff of a farmer. "Weel, ma lord--you wis the last gentleman I spoke
to that day as I was coming oot!" was his reply.

The pointed insinuation to another witness in a claim case at the same
Court. "I think I have seen you here rather often of late," drew the
reply, "Nae doot, if a'm no takin' onybody here--then it's them that's
takin' me!"

Quite recently an old farmer in Perthshire, who had been rather severely
cross-examined by the opposing counsel, had his sweet revenge when the
sheriff, commenting on the case, inquired: "There seems to be a great
deal of dram-dramming at C---- on Tuesdays, I imagine?"--"Aye, whiles,"
was the canny reply--and immediately following it up, as he pointed
across at the rival lawyer, he continued--"an' that nicker ower there
can tak' a bit dram wi' the best o' them!"

A young advocate, as junior in a licensing club case, had to
cross-examine the certifying Justice of the Peace who was very diffuse
and rather evasive in his answers. "Speak a little more simply and to
the point, please," said counsel mildly. "You are a little ambiguous,
you know."--"I am not, sir," replied the witness indignantly; "I have
been teetotal for a year."

It is a fact well known to lawyers that it is a risky thing to call
witnesses to character unless you know exactly beforehand what they are
going to say. Here is an instance in point. "You say you have known the
prisoner all your life?" said the counsel. "Yes, sir," was the reply.
"Now,