The Madisonian. (Canton, Miss.) 1850-1855, 1850-06-13
From tie Ne.p YORK. Sun
-E LAWYER vs. THE FOOL


THE LAWYER vs. THE FOOL
Deacon Frost wealth drover re-
siding in X, one of the most beautiful
towns in the Granite State
was taking large number Of selected
beeyes to the Boston market.
It chsnced that on the way thither,
several Of the stock belonging to Chris
topher Grant, an extensive farmer re-
siding IN an adjoining town, acciden-
tally strayed among gthe drove Of Dea-
con F. The good Deacon, of course
not noticing the addition to his herd
could not be expected to separate
them, and in time all including those
belonging to friend Grant were duly
disposed of Gf not according to law,
certainly according to his custom) and
the proceeds safely deposited in the
pocket ofthe worthy deacon.
1t so happened however, that Bill
Dykes [better known as "The FooP'l
saw ths cattle as they passed, and res
cognized those Of Grant.
Bill says Mr.. " are you sure y was
my cows you saw in deacon FrOst's
drovel
Sure! said Bill, wall now | guess, !
are, knows old Brindle and old Lops
pedhorn Jest as easy as nothing haint
ii driv' EN- out Of our cabbages more
times than their pesky necks are worth
anyhow
! When deacon Frost returned home
he was politely waited upon BY Mr..
} Grant, and requested to fork over
fair amount of the needful for the miss
! ing cows, which he as politel ly de-
{ cltned to do. The result was Coun-
sellor Dony's services were invoked
The fool was the cheif witness; and,
} Counsellor Grey. Of K, man Of some
celebrity IN his profession was retains
ed to defend the suit.
: The trial came on-Dykes was placed
I on the witness stand. Counsellor
Grey interpOsed an objection to the
: witness being sworn, on the ground OF
t incapacity, and proceeded to state TO
1.-The court that the witness was a per-
r feet non coHlpos nsentis, in other words
/ 4 fool, and we'll known to be so by
every body in the viOinity--tbaL he had
i no definite or fixed idea either regard
$ ing himself or respecting any thing
n else; that he could not give an lntelli-
d gent answer in the most simple ques'
d ton, and, says Councillor Grey With
) an emphasis II do not believe he can
p even tell who made him. If your
i Honor please, l will put that question
L to him, that the Jury may have ar oper-
tunity to see what perfect imbecile
y he is"
d Councillor Grey; William look up!
e Tell rs William who made you : do
+ you knowl
The fool, screwing his face and look
Ie ing thoughtfully, and somewhat be-
wildered, slowly answered "Mro's~e>s
y | s~p>o-s-e-s,
ID That will do.
sr Now said counsellor G., address
It. ing the COuTISJ hV WtShVSe tS"Js
of s.p.o-s.e.s M-o-s>e-s made him; this Is
m certainly an intelligent answer, more
N 50 than supposed hun capable Of CIV.
re- inc for it shows that he has some tain'
<. idea of the scripture. But | submit
il not sufficient to Justify his being
Id sworn as witness qualified to give
lg his testimony.
SO Mr. Judge, says the fool, may a.
al the lawyer question: i.
Certainly, says the judge ask nm
hit any question you please.
ofI Wall then Mr. Lawyer w>h-or'd yo'
is s>p-o-s-e.s made you9
Jar Counsellor g. [immitating the WIZ
N, ness:I-A-a~r-o-n, Is-p-o-s~e.
= After the mirth had somewhat SUI
,ut sided, the witness continued.
1s, W-a~ll, now we do read in the goo
book, that Aaron once made
IN c~al-f, but who'd thought the id crl'
he ter had got here!
Or Verdict for the Fool.