The next witness has not much to say, but he tells a little story—a temperance tale he calls it.
Two very aged men were one time subpoenaed on some case, and appeared in the box before a judge who was well-known as a staunch upholder of the principles of total abstinence. This judge, seeing two such aged beings before him, thought it a capital opportunity of teaching a lesson to those around him.
“How old are you?” he said, addressing the first witness.
“Eighty, and a little over,” was the reply.
“You have led a very temperate life, haven’t you?” said the judge.
“I’ve never tasted spirits, to my knowledge, all my life, sir.”
The judge looked around him, with a pleased smile on his countenance. Then he addressed the other ancient witness, who looked even haler than his companion.
“How old are you, my man?”
“Ninety odd, your worship.”
“Ahem?” said the judge. “You have doubtless led a strictly abstemious life, haven’t you?”