Page:American Boy's Life of William McKinley.djvu/164

134 "I cannot allow the objection," said the judge, who perhaps began to see the point. "The plaintiff will show the other limb, as the defendant demands."

The man tried to demur, and wanted to leave the witness chair. But the judge was stern, and in the end the other limb was exposed to view,—and was found to be even more bowed than that which had been set!

A long and loud laugh went up, which the judge found himself unable to suppress; indeed, he himself laughed behind his handkerchief. But he pounded for silence, and when it was restored, McKinley spoke:—

"Your honor, I move this case against my client be dismissed," he said gravely. "And I would suggest," he went on slowly and pointedly, "that the dismissal be accompanied by a recommendation to the plaintiff to have his other leg broken and set by our worthy doctor, who has already done so much to improve on nature."

At this another laugh went up, lasting longer than the other. The case was dismissed, and the bow-legged man left the court-room never to reappear.