Daily American organ., 1856-03-01
Dis Aiut de Nigxah /!

Some years ago two darkies, both rejoicing in
the honored name OF Samuel johnson, were in
mates of the Tombs. Both of them had been
using their black pckers and steaers other per-
sons goods, but in different grades. Sam Jonsing
the first was inferior in dignity to Sam Jonsing the
second, In the estimate of the grand jury for Sam
Jonsing the first had meanly prigged what was not
worth twenty-five dollars in value; while Sam JON
sing the second had magnanimously sInouched
goods and chattels of higher value. The prose-
cutting attorney who rejoiced in the title Of Little
Btters, had therefore wisely framed an indictment
against Sam Jonsing the first, as having commit
ted petty larceny while the honors of grand lar
ceny were In Judgment Of law accorded to Sam
Jonsing the second. The grand jury heard the
testimony, and the foreman wrote on the back OF
each of the indictments the endorsement, ca true
bill" And now the day of trial approached; the
incorruptible and majestic Recorder sat on the
bench the crier got through his yociferous hear
ye hear ye;" the loafels in the gallery under the
roof had disposed themselves for a nap the enjoy
ment of shyster eloquence or the discussion OF a
slyy- concealed sandwich in the intervals of busi-
ness. Our friend " Little Bitters had convicted
a dozen motley rascals, and was just in the midst
of the hurry and excitement of Juggling his legal
game, when his eye fell on the illustrious name OF
Samuel Johnson, and grand larceny opposite, in
strange proximity.
Turning to the officer in attendance, he directed
Samuel johnson to be brought to the bar. In a
few minutes the officer Of the law returned with
woolly-headed darkey following, half downhearted,
half devilmay care, with cunning grin OF inquiry
on his black features. The venerable formalities
of the culprit holding up his right hand and look
ing at the jury gone through with, and the in
dictment for grand larceny was read and at the
end Of which Sam Johnsng the first inquired Of
Little Bitters:
:" Gran lasseny massa."
To which the public prosecutor replied, as If
solving legal doubt:
eyes, grand larceny"
The case was opened, the witnesses called, the
case proved, the case summed up, the case charged
home, and the jury, without leaving the box, look
ed at the culprt, and found him "guilty of grand
larceny" Sam Jonsing's eyes glittered, and spon
taneously his lips again inquired of the foreman:
''Grsn lassenyp massa." tta
:" Yes, johnson, chimed in Little Bitters, "the
jury have found you guilty of grand larceny.
The words "grand larceny" were chuckled in
Mr. Johnson's throat like the echo Of words caught
In q gurgle of suppressed Ethiopian laughter
Even the experienced Little Bitters was put on
the wrong scent, he began to suspect, but then
dismissed his suspicious.
The dignifed Recorder now proceeded to SEN
tence Mr.. Jonsing, somewhat in this style:
Samuel johnson, you have been found guilty
Of grand larceny"
Jonslng again interrupted, with Gran lasseny,
Nassa ?"
Eyes" answered the Recorder, " of the crime
Of grand larceny" .rt
"Gran lasseny Nassau"
"Yes, of the crime of grand larceny and what
have you to say why sentence should not be pro-
nounced upon you."
why only, bress you Massa," answered Sam,
pointing with indescribabe drollery to that portion
Of his waistcoat under which he imagined his per-
sonality to lie, with reversed thumb.
Dis amt de Niggah."
Then did Little Bitters, remembering the two
Samuel Johnson's find out that the Niger DTomio
had cold him but the joke was too good he laugh
ed and shook. g
The Court laughed, the Clerk laughed, the Crer
laughed, and the friends of Mr.. johnson in the gal
leres laughed in chorus with the petty larceny mig
ger in the dock.
We are happy to say that the Johnson's escaped
punishment-at least on those indictments.