Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-04-04
Scene In New York.

On Friday after noon, as Justice Hogan
was about to leave his courtroom in the
Tombs, the gentlemanly clerk called his atten-
ton to forlorn and dilapidatcd colored man.
The poor old colored man was nearly seventy
years Of age, and was quito lame. He had
an old slouched hat wrapped about the head
Of his cane, and his hair, moustacbe, and eye
brows were as white as the driven snow.
Hobbling TO the outer railing he looked at the
Judge, while his palsied hands were shaking
on his stick, and his bent body was quivcring
with decrepitude. 1t was some time before
he could speak. At lcngthin choking accents,
be said: 1 l7l
Judge, I-I-rse an ole man. Use way
down from Alb'marle county, Varginny-dar's
whar Pse from. Dc ole mass, an de
boys, an my son Pete, aud all de Titles niss
am scattered by dc wah, an dc ole mans in a
strange Ian, Judge-in strange Ian"
Here the poor old man dropped his hat
from the top Of his cane, and wiped tear
from his eye with the back Of his shriyelled
hand. The Judge, becoming interested, told
the old man to go on with his story, saying
that he had some friends in Albemarle county,
and asked if he knew any Of the Tollivers.
The old darkey frightened up and said:
Yes, yes, indeed; de ole Mass Tolliver won
de great Alb'marle cock fight nigh onto forty
years ago. You member dat cock fight
Judge?"
The Judge laughed, and said that was be-
fore his time. The old man stopped and pick
ed up bis felt hat with great deal Of diff
Guilty. after which be drew long breath, and
hobbled closer to the Judges desk.
"Ah, does Tolliyer chick'ns had de shuah
blood, Judge, an all de gemmens was afeared
on EN-. Did ye ebcr see any of dsm birds
what dc ole Mass Tolliver had Judge?'
NO, no, uncle" replied the Judge, "that
was before my time"
"Ye,, yes" pensively said the old darkcy
"dat was long time agoue, for shuah-dat
great Alb'marle cock 6ght--dat was in de ole
Jackson and de Henry Clay time. Does ye
remember does times, Judge"
The Judge assured the old man that he
did not, and asked him what he could do for
him. The tears again started TO his eyes, and
10 trembling voice be said:
"Yes, yes, Judge. Ye see Use an ole nig-
ger--a poor ole Niger; an mass, an de boys,
an Pete-dat's nv son-an' oil de little
nigs am scattered by de wah, an de ole mans
in a strange lam And de ole mans hungry
an cole An de ole mans frens say for him
to cum down to de Judge, and de Judge would
glib em a commit to de island, whar de ole
man he could sleep an cat until dem warm
DAYS would come again. Am dis right for
you to doc ting, Judge, jcs for de commo-
dation Of de ole man :? For de ole mans all
alone in de worl,' an de ole mans got nothing,
an de ole mans hungry an cole, an dha's no
place for de ole man for to go"
The tears sprang to the eyes Of the kind
hearted Judge lie asked the decrepit old
African if he wanted any money, bat be shook
his venerable white head, and again in broken
accent. begged to be sent 10 the Island
Thereupou the Judge turned TO the clerk, aud
directed him to make out commitment, assur-
ing the old man that he would see that be
was taken from the islaud TO the almshouse,
where he would be kept warm aud well fed
until the summer mouths.-N Y Sun.