Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1865-11-07
Kotch on de jury.

There once lived man-and I'll not tell his name
Who lived in the country with Polly, his dame;
He was fond Of indulging too freely at times,
And II ever he tasted. away went the dimes.
For several days he would frolic and spree
Away at the tavern, "a-takin' o tea;"
But Polly at home was uneasy the while,
Though she knew that the town was not more than
She knew that if ever he tasted "drap,''
He soon would be fixed off for taking nap,
Then b d trade round and "swOp,. and always get
"blt.
Tho ne never could "man up" the courage to quit.
A week nearly spent, then homeward he'd start.
With his eyes looking red and pain at his heart
But when Polly would meet him, he'd say with q
cough,
II was caught on the Jury, and couldn't get off"
But autumn came round. and he gathered his corn
All up in a heap, and he wanted "horn :"
And little wouldn't do, for the neighbors around
Their fathers declared that to drink It was right
On occasions like that, of a cornish ucking night
at cooled them in summer, it warmed them when
Twas good for the children, twould strengthen the
The old man had swigged it since first he was wed,
And had spent nearly all. but the old negro Ned;
A faithful old servant he aw avs had been
Though sometimes IKE "massa," was tempted to sin.
He told Uncle Ned, to saddle no "Tug."
The old sorrel mule, and take the big Jug,
And go to that tavern where oft he had been,
And bring home gallon Of No. /. gin:
And il you can find it, now just understand,
iou must bring home gallon OF Tennessee brand.
But Ned was afflicted with massa's disease
And, thought he, iii drink as much as please:
I'll see if it's good and it's flavor I'll test,
TO prove I'm not cheated in buying the best"
But Feddy kept tasting aud guiding down,
Till "de wurl an de trees ali . turnin' arouu'"
Then he thought to himself that twas time to be cool
10 he let go all hold and dropped of of his mule
He quickly looked round him in search of place
TO hide, for the turnpike had rtied his face;
Behind some thick bushes he endeavored to Creep
To take sh ort nap before going to sleep.
The light had set in, and twas cloudy and dark.
And to strike up fire he hadn't spark:
30 he rested in silence-he knew not the way
TO 60 through the woods till the light of the day.
Then he picked up his jug, and found twas light
And ne swore, 'now, by lingo, there's sumfn not
His mule had a5sconded. and left him alone
But the worst oft all was-his liquor was gone.
He felt then SO scared up for what he had done,
That "fOOt-back" he started, aud hOmeward ne run:
And when he arrived there his breakfast DER,
SO he slipped around syly to find the back door;
And he thought to himself he'd enjoy the fun
OF telling "yarn," as old "massa" had done.
His master then ente ed the kitchen, and cried.
Just look-a-here, Ned am good for your hidei
You black rascal tell me where you have been
Since sent you to town for that gallon of gin!'
"Jist hole q mint p now cried Uncle Ned
AS he stood there thinking and scratching his head
DE fac is, ole massa, l tell you de troof
II dy the mex mint here under dis roof,
To buy you some sperits went to de town,
And when got dar war a-steppin' arOun'.
And de fus thing node war up in de loft,
Dun kotch IN de Jury, an co~liu' get off r.