The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1850-01-25

hIIN vs. !nC
Deacon Frost, a wealthy drover re.
siding in X one of the most beautiful
aud furnishing villages in the Granite
State, was taking large number of Sc
Iected beeves TO The Boston market. 1t
chanced that on his way thitber, several
Of the stock belonging to Christopher
Grant, an extensive farmer residing in a n
adjoining town, accidenlly slrayed among
the drove of deacon F. The good dea-
con, of course, not noticing the addition
to his herd, could not be expected to sep
crate them. aud in time, all, including
those belonging to friend Grant, were
duly disposed Of (ifnot according to law,
certainly according to his cuslom,) and
The proceeds safely deposited in the
pocket Of the worthy Deacon.
1t so happened, however, thai Bill
Dykes, better known as The Fool, saw
the cattle 40 they passed, and recognized
those of Giant.
Bill" says Mr.. e.. "are you sare it
was my cows you saw in Deacon Frost's
drove?"
"Surel" said Bill. "well now guess
| are, | knows old Brndle and old Lop,
horn just as easy as nothin--haint | driv
EN- out of our cabbages more times than
their pesky necks are worth. anyhowl'
When Deacon Frost returned home he
was politely waited upon by Mr. Grant
aud requested to fork over fair amount
: ofthe needful fnr the missing cows, which
! he as politely declined to do. The re
suit was, counsellor Doney's services
s were invoked. The Fool was the chit
witness; and counsellor Gray. Of X. q
man of some celebrity in his profession
r was retained to defend the suit. The
t trial came on--Dykes was placed on the
I witness stand. Counsellor Grey inter.
posed an objection to the witness being
> sworn, on the ground of iucapocity. and
: proceeded to state to the court that the
= witness was perfect non cOmpos menti'
b in other words, fool, and web know
+ In be SO by every person in tho vicinity =
J. that he had m definite or fixed idea eth
Il ec ofhimself or respecting anything else
i that he could not give an intelligent an
o swer to the most simple question; And,
s says counsellor Gray, with emphasis, Z"
j. do not believe no can tell who made him
s IIyou" honor please. will put that queS
y tion To him, that the jury may have an op
portunity to see what perfect imbecil,
d hs is"
i Counsellor Gray. "William. look, up
}, Tell us, William. who made yuul"
o The fool. sore wing his face, and look
l. ing somewhat thoughtful and bewlderej
= answered, M 5 e.s, s.p.o.s.e"
a "Thal will do Now says counselo
: q, addressing the court, "the witness
! says he s.p.o.s e.s Muses. made him
g that is certainly more intelligent an
" swer than supposed him capable O
e giving, for it shows that he has some fain
o idea Of the scripture. But | submit lha
ST it is not sufficient to justify his bein
II sworn as witness in the case. No sill
it isnot such an answer as witness qua
=. fled 10 testify should give"
!, "Mr Judge" says the fool may a
~ the lawyer question:
i Certainly said the judge, ask hir
A any question you please"
"W.a,l. then, Mr. Lawyer, who
yousp.o's mad youl"
i Counsellor G. Qmilaring tho witness
- "A.a r.o,n, Is.p-o-s.e."
r. After the mirth had some what subsil
" cd, the witness continued, Wal, nov
we do read in the good book that Aaro
le once made calf, but who'd a thousl
b, the darned critter had got in here"
m Verdict for the fool.