The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-06-21
NUMBER l6


that Uncle Joe would get the best Of it.
Finally the case was called on, and Lo-
ber's counsel made a abatement Of the
cause which had led to the suit, enlarged
upon the damage which had been done to
his clients property, and explaining hsw
little the transgessor had seemed to care
for it.
where is the defense?''
Nobody seemed to know.
us the defense in ceurt7"
All eyes were turned upon Uncle Joe,
and he arose.
"Are yea the defendant in this case?''
asked the court.
@Me9" returned Joe, With vacant
"Yes-you.''
"He is, your henor," said Lober's law
yer.
"Have you got counsel, sir7" the judge
resumed.
"Not's I know on" replied Joe, with
half foolish, half wicked look.
"You are probably aware of the reason
why you have been called here" pursued
the court seeming to pity the mans fool
ishness.
II s'pose it's for some kind O. com.
plant Cap n Lober's been : maxim -
Exactly" said Lober's counsel. Your
horse has destro, ed much property be-
longing to my client"
"Guess not, Squire" returned Joe,
&C cause that's onpossible. Ny hess could
MT do no such thing"
'.What do you mean by that2" a
r 4 =
BILE Of doin' so much mischief. t
swell leave that to others to Decide"
said the counsel, with very significant
nod of the head. 4s
"You own horse?" -
"Why-"
"we want none of your whysl You
own a herse2'' ser
"But want to explain. Capt'n Lober
he came to me, a bilin over with wrath,
and axsd me if owned a hoss, and told
him yes. Then he billed over more-made
lots O. threats--and went off in heap q
passion afore could explain"
But do you deny your horse was in my
clients feld7"
ut couldn't a been thar unless sems-
body put it thar" sts3stsst
"That's not the thing. Do you deny
that your. horse did this damage?"
"Sartin. do" sg
ssYours is a white horse7"
',Rather of yallerish cast, Squire"
Sand poor and old?''
IA leetle shaky, think.
.Theu how do you know that il was
not your horse that did this damage?''
"That's jist the pint want to explain,
Squire" answered Uncle Joe, very ear
nestly and with impurturable gravity
"Ef any body j axed me afore come up
here, / should told 'em all about it. The
fact is, Squire, never owned but one
hoss in the world, and don't never ex-
pect to--and that ere is a--sAw Hoss.
The court smiled, and hid its face be-
hind a book The captains counsel
looked very blank while the captain him-
self turned very red and very pale By
turns. In the mean time the spectators
came nigh splitting with laughter. Some
attempt was made to reprimand Uncle
Joe for this result; but he was SO simple
and honest on the occasion that all blame
fell where it rightfully belonged--upon
the man who had brought the suit. Il
was very easily proved that Joe never
owned a sslive hoss," and he was sent
about his business. so
| It was small affair, perhaps, bnt IL
made great noise; and SO hotand heavy
were the various remarks that came show
ering down upon Daniel Lober, that in
less than month he was glad to sell out
aud move. After this Uncle Joe's geese
and hens wandered about without the
fear of being shot, but his "old hoss"
never went away, save when it rode upon
its owners shoulder.