The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-05-18
AN INTELIIGENr wIrNEss.

Not many years ago q criminal was tried in an
adjoining county, in which one Ben was
material witness for the State The charge was
that Foster made an attempt to kill one s. with
four pound weight. Ben was stout, strong man,
with huge lungs, and not in habit OF refusing
social drink with friend. He was only toiera-
bly, good natured fellow when he had "a brick in
his hat" and fcasted on the details Of fsticuf
with great relish. Ben called up by the
State, and politely requested to tell all he knew
about it, After squaring himself round time or
two, and adjusting his quid, he began in his nasal
voice:
"Wel we all went to the sale-there big
crowd thar--some drinkin' and some want--I
was, Judge sortar so myself. Well, Noel Hales
was thar try in to by an old spotted sow that run
close to him Noel is good feller, Judge, but he
amt smart he went to Jackson onst, and his dad
dy got out Of sight and he went about axng eve.
ry man he met, 'Whar's daddy"
'Go on, Mr. -- tell us all about the fight"
"Well, as was sayin', Noel wanted the sow,
and was afeared he couldn't buy her without get
tin somebody to stand for him, and told hRn ct
he'd make me safe I'd do it or die; and he said
he pawn his gum but kit was at Wingate's shop
to be fixed told him, Gall right, Noel" hit
shant break squares with us, no how. Well, Noel
bid three dollars and dime, or a quarter, and
can't say which, IN the positire'-
Go on sir if you please, about the fight"
''NVell, give me the time to bring it round right
Well, Noel didn't git the SOW because John WaM
bid nore'n she was wuth. Well, then q
put I'D, and Foster bid ten dollars and quarter,
and she was knocked off to him Foster said he
only bid ten dollars, and S. said he bid ten and
quarter They got to disputn, and thought
enough was said for to fight on, but Foster
took it. They kept on jowcrin', and at last S. told
Foster he'd be - eff he'd scrupulate. Foster
said he'd be cf he'd combolcate from what
he said Well, about this time felt dry, and went
over to the doggery with several and we all tuck
stiff drink / tuck mine with sweetnin, Judge
Well Noel Hales seemed hurt about not gittin the
sow, so SAYS, Noel, let us have some music to
make us feel better Sez he, Ben, know you
are friend to me, and eff you'll git Abe Lard to
play 'Cotton-eyed Joc,' I'll treat to half pint
Well in this time we hearn the fuss the way,
and went out, and who should we sec but S. lying
down on the pizzar, and Foster as pale as SKINNED
milk Sez l. Men let's have a fair fight Some
one said, Ben, they've already fit"
"Mr--, did you sec the fight" 1
"Well, / can't say did, nor | can't say didn't
mought, then again / moughn't."
tDo you recollcct anything about it, or were
you in a condition to recollcct"
Well, Squire, you rather got me thar. The
fact is | sometimes git discombobolated, and my
remembrance amt very clarc but one thing I'm
sure of, Judge, and that is, Noel treated; ef he
didn't I'll be -- !!
Here the State informed him that he could
stand aside, and the Court not happening to hear
the oath, the witness permitted to retire amid
the suppressed laughter Of the whole court room.
brandon Republican.