Answer.—"Yes, sir, you betch yur life that's jes' the way w-w-what I mean to say."
State's Attorney.—"Now, Mr. Clark, I'll ask you if you did not tell me and many other citizens of this community that the defendant, Dic Bright, fired the shot?"
"I object," cried Mr. Switzer. "The gentleman cannot impeach his own witness."
"You are right, Mr. Switzer," answered the Court, "unless on the ground of surprise; but I overrule your objection. Proceed, Mr. State's Attorney."
"Answer my question," said that official to Patsy.
Answer.—"Yes, sir, I-I d-did tell you, and lots of other folks, too, that D-Dic shot Doug Hill."
Question.—"Then, sir, how do you reconcile those statements with the one you have just made?"
Answer.—"Don't try to re-re-re-reconcile 'em. Can't. I-I wa-wa-was talkin' then. I'm sw-sw-swearin' now."
Dic sprang to his feet, exclaiming:—
"If the Court please, I wish to enter a plea of guilty to the charge against me."