> The question is then whether there is some case where using overlays is
> necessary, or is it just a pessimization?  For reference, I took the
> text property using definition from man.el (so it at least works for
> that case):

Any idea what the original intent was?
I can't seem to see why an overlay would be needed for Eshell's output.

-- 
Pierre Neidhardt

Abstainer, n.:
	A weak person who yields to the temptation of denying himself a
	pleasure.
		-- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"