Train Lantern
In a terrible accident at a railroad crossing, a train smashed into a car and
pushed it four hundred yards down the track. Though no one was killed, the
driver took the train company to court.
At the trial, the engineer insisted that he had given the driver ample warning
by waving his lantern back and forth for nearly a minute. He even stood and
convincingly demonstrated how he'd done it. The court believed his story, and
the suit was dismissed.
“Congratulations,” the lawyer said to the engineer when it was over.
“You did
superbly under cross-examination.”
“Thanks,” he said,
“but he
sure had me worried.”
“How's that?” the lawyer asked.
“I was
afraid he was going to ask if the damned lantern was lit…”