The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-10-06
KITTY'S TRIAL.
A Sketch Of Southern Negro Life.

- /. A Sketch of Southern Negro Life.
For at least ten days Miss Eliza, the
housekeeper, had reported our little
maid, Kitty, in most unusual state of
mind and body. Her shiny black skin
was becoming absolutely pallid-her
broad mouth, always parted in rather
noisy laughter, was closed, and her full
lips tremulous her appetite was gone
entlrely-she was literally starving her
self to death. The state of her mind
wretchedness was painful to behold, and
her silence as to its cause something re-
markable in one formerly so communica-
tive. Our curiosity was considerably
excited by such a phenomenon, and our
wonder was increased by the sudden an
nomcement one morning that our excel
, lent chambermaid, whose conduct while
with us had been unexceptionable, had
been arrested and carried off for trial be-
fore our village magistrate. What could
it mean2 Kltty's bosom friend, half
simple girl about her own age-sixteen
gave us the desired information as she
passed the house weeping bitterly, fol-
lowing in the wake of the constable who
was leading poor Kitty away.
"Me and Kitty was at the Gary street
Westinghouse Sunday fore last, and
Kitty laughed at something, and one of
the colored men-a big man in the church
he say Kitty keep him from saying his
prayers, and he meant to have her put
In prison for it. Kitty and me have
been scared to death ); and now they
done come and took mypoor dear Kitty!
Oh, oh, oh |"
This, then, was the explanation of the
whole mystery. Our merry little darkey
had been to the colored Methodist meet
lng-house two weeks before, and had
disturbed one of the elders, q cross
grained old bachelor negro, who had no
eye for our maids trim little figure and
good-natured face, hut sharp one for.
an innocent female who might disturb
his lordship's devotion. His threaten
ing glances, as we afterward heard, had
only increased her merriment, and he
had left the church vowing vengeance.
Behold the result
We were all Il good deal troubled, for
Kitty was quite a pet with Us, and SO
sister Louise hurried off in search of a
gentleman friend whom she persuaded
to accompany her to the magistrates
office. Arriving at the miniature court
house, they found q crowd of negroes
assembled before the door, looking grave
and Important, and 80 barricading the
passage it was with some difficulty Mr..
Jones forced his way in. He returned
In few minutes to say that the trial
would not come off for all hour or two.
as the sheriff had gone out to the coun-
try to summon some witnesses, fifteen or
twenty of whom had already arrived and
were waiting to bear testimony to
htty's depravity. She had been in
formed she could send for any ono who
wished to testify in her favor. but had
replied no one knew anything about it
but Susie, and Susie was on the spot,
still clinging to her friend, who, like
herself, was frightened out Of her wits.
The fine which would be assigned I'M
case of conviction would not be less than
five nor more than twenty dollars, but if
Kitty could not pay it, she would be
sent to jail. Sister Louise begged Mr..
Jones to remain there-help poor Kitty
through the trial and pay the fine for
her, so that she might return home in
peace. The room in which the maeis.
trate sat was small, with low ceiling
and but little ventilation. Crowded as
1T now was with negroes, many in their
sh1rt sleeves, just as they were found at
thelr work In the fields, the atmosphere
was anything but agreeable. The Judge,
~>", @NS AaA<shs "iOu u Icu ldCe auu n0aVY
brow surmounted by spectacles, was
seated by a table on which lay several
large, dusty law books, the leaves of
which he was turning in a pompous
mapner-as if the matter to be discussed
before him was one of life and death,
and the fates arbiters. Behind the door,
on three-legged stool, sat Kitty, with
the faithful Susie crouched at her feet,
both cold and trembling; opposite them
were ranged the witnesses, around whom
thrpnged o number of darkeys of all
ages and both sexes.
= "We regret to keep you waiting, Mr..
Jones, but we have had to send into the
country again, to attach George Wilson,
another witness for the plaintiff.
The gentleman bowed, and was about
to speak, when he felt some one pull
his sleeve.
Mass Jones, is I got to 'tach any
body2" asked Kitty, in an alarmed tone.
The poor girls fears were soon relieved
on this subject, and the Judge. again
turning the leaves of his book, remarked.
"I find Miss Catharine Taylor ouilty.
according to the accusation brought
against her, of quite grave offense. in
disturbing lawful public assembly. and
the fine lis heavy one for q person in
her circumstances. Shall I read what
Blackstone, in his commentaries. saws
on the subjec: ?"