The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-04-19
Anecdote of Col. Garner.

LII. Gdfner was character born II
Otd Virginia: high bred. according tt
the notions of his dav and place. and q
man, as he said of himself, of high
pants" He was indeed oftentinIe.
high. and in that state every thing
seeming high To him, he played high
character He was an off-hand poIiti
rlan, and an in,prompfu lawyer; and
his various high qualities secured him
the high honor of Il seat in the State
Legislature, of which he was very
proui. One day, while Circuit Coult
was IN session. he was seated on heap
OF logs near the conrt house, holding a
high discourse with friend. who was
not quite so high, in one sense, as him.
Salt, when a miserable e-lookiu@ fellow
approach he'd, bare-funtel. clad in rags,
with only veStige of hat on, beng
mere band of straw binding his fore
head. and his coarse-matted hair stick
ing ont abIve. like quiIls upon the
fretful porcupine."
Coldnel," said Billy Stewart For
that was the poor fellow, nancy Il
want To see you
What do you want with me. you
ragged son-of-a-gnn ~
Now. Colonel, don't be cross at me
| always voted for you. and now want
yon 10 he p me ont o. troublen
+" Why Billy. what's the matter now
do YOU want pair Of old breeches o.
They've got me tuck up here for
stealin', and want you to get me out
- the Scrape."
What stealing, BiIly2-why. you
havn't been stealing. Billy! lun re too
lazy 20 steal but what do they say
you stole !n
4. Billy explained the case substan-
TALLY TINS: Finding a barrel which
had ti,ated down the river and lodged
in a masSzof dritt-wood, he drew 1t
ashore, and finding the contents whiS-
key, he filled his little pocket flask
For this the nngraieiui owner had him
indicted for theft
" Help me down." cried the Colonel
as Billy fir:ished his statement: this
wun't do al all help me downl'
He was lifted down from the logs,
when he went as straight as he could
into the coutt house. where a suit was
in full progress of trial
Judge y exclaimed the Colonel. in
a loud and commanding tone, that star
Tied both bench and bar. Judge
what do you think they've got my
friend Billy Stewart mp here for steal
ing of high drink: and don't you
think. Judge, if there's anything in The
4orld a tRassA Ezssnld he rastitlable in
,tealing, it would be a high drink when
hes dry !'
The scene was really rich. The
surprise of court bar, and spectators :
the earnestneSs, emphasis and benevo-
ience of the Cnlonel. together with the
intrinsic iuiicruuSiteSs ut the whole
affair put the Judge in rather merry
humor, and he responded III a vein of
pleasantly to the lnterrouatory with
which the advocate concluded his ad-
iiresS -
well. Colonel, the court is rather ill.,
clinel to that view ut the ease"
You would have admired the Colo
mel, had you seen him, on this intima-
lion from the bench. turning with IA
p nicely patronizing air to Billy. and
lronouncing with the utmost gravity
Billy Stewart, you stand acquitted;
YOU are discharged and may go homen
Billy leaped out of the dool at two or
thee bounds. swinging the remains of
his muiia,ed hat OH high, and exclaim-
ing
"C1l. Garner! he's the greatest law
yer out of h-ll! I'll Vote for him for
king!2
Farther proceedings in the case were
actually dismissed, as it was deemed
10 have been disposed Of. if not ac-
ror'iin2 to the forms. agreeab!y at least
to the substance OF justice.