The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1848-04-12

b a. WI w III yVuSVo Bouu5 etlOuSntKtQ tell mo
court and jury in as concise d manner as
possible, all you know of.his affair."
OF course Squire Robbins knew all a.
bout tho cause Of complaint, and wos por-
fectly satisfied Of his competency to give n
full statement of the whole matter; for
Nancy Bottom herself bud told him how
Bill Roberts had beat her duck OF hus.
band at the Court House, and low she in
tended to give the aldacious villain a
piece other mind the very next time SHE
laid eyes on him, and when she saw. him
riding by the gate, how she went out, and
abused him for oil the nasty mean things
she could think of; and just for nothing at
all, how be slapped her in thcmouth and
knocked two of her teeth out. Ofcourse,
Squire Robbins, knew all this as we'll as
he know Nancy Bottom herself, but as
this was an important question, and one
which was likely 10 have an important
bearing on the case, he imagined it the
part Of prudence at least to give it due
degree of reflection, and tllercupon he
went through various complicated nance
uvcrs with his hands, and head, which, he
conceived TO be the external evidences Of
this process OF the mind. After some
considerable time spent in this curious
and interesting phenomenon, md after
frequent we'll "go on's" from the ilnpnii-
ent advocate, Squire Robbins like Bull
aams ass Of old, was suddenly invested
with the power ofspecch.
"Well us said aforc, ] knows the par
ties, and will tell you all about it. Nancy
Bottom rs she is now, lived with me and
my old 'oman nigh on to three years, and
while she war thar, Bill and Jake war
both Of 'cm sparkin her, but Jake came
the Capt. Tyler over his reponint, and ono
night v-toed him clean out Of the house;
which tuck Nancy's eye, and she married
him. This made Bill wrathy, and he
sworc he'd lick Jake the very next time
he cotclled him at the Court House. So
salc.duy in Jinuary, about twelve clock,
Bill commenced OH him right down at the
grocery"
"Ncvcr mind that 'Squirc,-'
"Right down ut the grocery, md they
fit and fit all over tho hill. but Bill mnde
him hollcr and sent him home to his wife,
with face more like mashed pumpkin
than human crctur."
"Ncvcr mind that Squire, it is settled.
Tell us what defendant did 10 plaintiffs
wife,"
"Ycs this is only the prcliminnrics like,
| was tcllin' you, know Bill md Jake
settled their frncas and drunk before they
left the hill, but Nancy didn't, she's gnme
tell you-shc's tho old blue. hon her
self"
do answer the question put to you
sir"
"Well as was saying, Squire, Nancy
Bottom is the true pluck"
After several more attempts, on the
part Of the attorney, Squire Robbins was
rcincd into tho track, and he related with
the utmost minutencss all he hud heurd
Mrs. Bottom say nbon the trcspass; and
then, as if conscious Of it's Importance
drew himself up to his full height 10 wit.
ness its effect.
'You were present 'Squire?'
"No Iwnsnt; for couldn't stood to
see him hurt nm oman So"
"fou say you were not present."
ayes, us | said before | wasn't, but
Nancy told me all about it,
"Mi-s-t-r.c-s.s Bottom told you all
about it, and is she the source Of yonr in
formation? You may come down sir.
The Court mny order non.suit, had
no expectation that Mrs. Bottoms evil
dance would be offered"
Mr.. Enoch Robbins lookcd blank, and
left the stand soliloquising, well! TO be
sure!! Nancy is II weak ignorant 'oman,
but the most truthfullcst creter | ever
saw. Them folks don't know her, or
they'd believe her like preachn'."
.I,E,AI >1IIlI.I