“Well, the court would like to know if this is a trial, or a complimentary case.”
“Your honor, I am trying to get the witness to answer my questions.”
“Put the question to him again.”
“Now pay attention, Pat, and we will soon be through with you.”
“Couldn’t you turn me loose now? I am feeling sick, me man. I am sick.”
“Get him a drink.
“Here is water. Take this, Pat. Drink some water. You are all right now.”
“You know everything in the books, but you don’t know how a fellow feels inside, and plase don’t talk to me—plase don’t. I wonder, if I would pray, would I feel better? I am going to pray, gentlemen. I belave me toime has come right now.
“O Father in Heaven, if You ever send blessings to the Irish, send this one Irishman some now. I need it. O me God, I did not do annything. I changed me mind before I let him go, and he is here, and You can do as You plase with him. I am through with him. I think You will know what he needs, and give it to him. Have mercy on me, and him too, if he is deserving of it. I don’t think he is, but Your judgment is best, and use it, and be sure You use good judgment in my case, and help me out of this terrible perdicament, and if I never get in another, I won’t pray anny more. You will see I am in earnest and don’t delay the job. I am awfully sick, but I think I feel better now, and if the court will have mercy on me, and You do likewise, I know I will be well in a few minutes. Help Your wandering one all alone in this country. Me poor mother has been with You a long time, and if I was there too, I would not be here, in this fix. And now I have prayed for the first time in all me life, and if You don’t answer, I shall say my prayers were all in vain; but if You will let me know that they were heard, I will let you hear them again, if I get in trouble. Amen.”