The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-10-11
aDoing.. u sheriH.

Otdte OF OeoTSia 1SCoiiCcs queer 0tu
custo mer who used to visit the county seat
regularly on "General Muster" days and
court week. His name was Joseph john
son, but he was universally known as Un.
Gle Josey. The old man, like many 9TH
ers of that and the present day, loved his
dram, and was apt, when he got among
"the boys" in town, to take more than he
could conveniently carry. His insepara-
BILE companion on all occasions was a
black pony, who rejoiced in the name OF
"General Jackson" and whose diminu-
tiveness and sagacity were alike remarka-
Bile.
One day, while court was in session in
the little village Of GAINESVILLE, the atten-
ton of the judge and bar was attracted by
a rather unusual noise at the door. Look
ing toward that aperture, "his honor" dis
covered the aforesaid pony and rider de-
|liberately entering the Hall of Justice
This, owing to the fact that the floor OF
the court house was nearly on level
with the ground, was not difficult.
"Mr. Sheriff." said the Judge, 'ssee
who is creating such disturbance of this
court"
"It's only Uncle Josey and Gin'ral
Jackson, Judge" said the intruder LOOK.
;;Gng up with Will drunken leer, tjest me an
the Gin'ral come to see how you an the
boys is gettin' along"
"Well. Mr.. Sheriff." said the Judge, to-
tally regardless of theinterest manifested
in his own aud the lawyers behalf, by
Uncle Josey, "you will please collect 9
fine of ten dollars from Uncle Jesey and
the General, for contempt of court.
"Look here, Judge, old feller,' con.
tinued Uncle Josey, as he stroked the
Generals name, "yout don't mean to say
it now, do yer? This child hain't hat that
much money in coon's age, and as fol-
the Gin raj here, know he don't deal il
no kind of quine; which he hain't done
'cept fodder and corn, for these many
years"
"Very we'll, then, Mr.. Sheriff. contin,
ued his honor, Sin default Of the paymen
of the fine, you will convey the body 0.
Joseph johnson to the county Jail, there
I to be retained for the space of twenty four
hours"
"Now, Judge, you amt in right dewr
good yearnest is you? Uncle Josey hahn !
never been put into that boardin' hous'
| yet, which he don't want to be neither,
appealed the old man, who was apparent
| ly too drunk to know whether it was
Joke or not.
"The sheriff will do his duty immedi
ately," was the judges stern reply, VIII,
began to tire of the old mans drunken
insolence.
Accordingly Uncle Josey and the Gin
raj were marched off toward the count,
prison, which stood in retired part o
the village Arriving at the door, thu
tprisoner was commanded by the sheriff tt
"light."
sLook-a-here, Jess, horse-fy, you ain
a gwine to put yer. Uncle Josey in there
is yer?"
| s'Bliged to do it, Uncle Josey," re
piled the sheriff; "ef Idon't the old maj
(the judge will give me goss when ! G
back. / hate it powerful, but 1 must d
it."
'sBut, Jess, couldn't you manage to le
the old man git away2 Thar amt n
body here to see you. Now Go, jess; yo'
know how I fit for you in that last ru
you had long er Jim Smith, what like t
beat you for Sheriff, which he would
done, if it hadn't been for your Uncle Jo
sey's inf uence."
81 know that, Uncle Josey; but tha
amt no chance. My oath is very p:nte
against allowin' anybody to escape. s
you must go in, coss there amt no othe
chance"
81 tell you what it lis, Jess, I'm afear
to go in thar. Looks too dark and dis
l'mal."
! "Thar ain't nothin' in thar to hurt you
| Uncle Josey, which thar hain't been fo
j nigh about six months
! ssYes, thar is, Jess; you can't fool m
that way. know thar is something i
| thar to ketch the old man."
"No, thar amt; pledge you my hon
or thar amt"
/ "WeE. Jess, if thar amt, you just g
in and see, and show Uncle Josey tina
you amt afeard.''
Certainly; amt afeard to 60 in"
Saying which. the sheriff opened tn
door, leaving the key in the lock. snow
Josey, what did I tell you2 | know
thar want nothin' in thar"
"Maybe thar amt whar you are stand
lin, but jest let's see you 60 into that dar
place, in the corner"
"Well, Uncle Josey," said the unsus
lpecting sheriff, "I'll satisfy you thar ain
nothin thar, either" and he walked to
wards the "dark corner" AS he did sc
the old man dexterously closed the doc
land locked it.
"Hello! thar" yelled the frightene
officer, "none O. yer tricks Uncle Josey
this is carryin' the joke cussed sight to
far"
"Jokel I amt a jokin" jess; neve
was more in yearnest in my life. Tha
ain't nothin' in thar to hurt you, that
Lone consolation. Jest hold on little
and I'll send some of the boys down I
let you out"
i And before the "sucked il" sheriff ha
recovered from his astonishment, the pc
nv and his master were out Of hearing.