“You are taking your time, Pat. We are waiting for you.”

When court had been opened and the preliminaries had been gone through, Mr. Pearson was examined.

“You are registered under your correct name, are you not?”

“I am.”

“Mr. Pearson, how long has your mother been dead?”

“Twenty-one years.”

“Did she leave a will?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Did you know that you were the only heir?”

“No, sir—well, I thought so.”

“But you did not know for sure?”

“No, sir.”

“Mr. Pearson, did you take oath that you knew your brother was dead?”

“I did; yes, sir. I thought he was. We had never heard from him.”

[235]

“Did you look for him, or try to find him?”

“Well, no.”

“Did you acknowledge him as a brother when you did find him?”

“I did.”

“Not until you had to.”

“Well, I tried to do for him after I found him.”

“In what way?”

“I told him I would help him.”

“Out of prison, or financially?”

“Well, I don’t know,”

“You don’t know what you were going to do, but you were going to do something for him?”

“I felt that I should.”

“Will you tell the court what you were going to do, or thought of doing? Now, Mr. Pearson, you have been holding a position of authority, have you not?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Have you done an officer’s duty?”

“I have tried to.”

“You tried to, but did you?”

“I don’t know.”

“You are excused.”

Pat was called to the stand.

[236]

“Your name?”

“Me name is Pat Dugan.”

“Well, Pat, what do you know about this Officer Pearson?”

“Your honor, I wish I had never seen the man.”

“That is not answering my question.”

“Well, I don’t know what he did all the time, but I know I wish I did not know what he did anny of the time.”

“Answer the question.”

“Plase repeat it, I am after forgetting the question.”

“Tell what you know in regard to this case. Did Officer Pearson fill his position as an officer should?”

“Now, me friend, I don’t think that is the same question at all.”

“Well, answer it, if you do or don’t think the question was worded just the same.”

“I did not hear the last question. I was thinking of how to answer the first one. Now, me friend, I will ask you to repate the last once more, and I might answer them both.”

“I suppose we must have patience with you, for I don’t think you were ever in court before, and I know it is hard for you. Now, once more,[237] I ask you about Officer Pearson’s conduct as an officer. That is a short question and you should be able to answer it without hesitation.”

“I will say that I think the job is a hard one for me, and I will give you my club and quit at once.”

“Sit down, Pat! Sit down there and answer these questions the attorney is asking you, or I shall fine you for contempt of court.”

“Could I get off—out of that fine for contempt of court—as aisy if I told the truth?”

“I am asking you a question now, and I wish you would answer.”

“Faith, and you have been asking me some questions I didn’t know how to answer, and I am only a ignorant Irishman, and you are one of the know-alls, or should be. I’ve always thought that if annything ever came up with a business consideration, ‘I will ask me lowyer about that.’ This is the first time I have ever been smart enough to talk to one of them lowyers.”

“Well, you are taking your time to talk. You must like our company.”

“I like to hear a smart man talk, indade I do.”

[238]

“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 ............