The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-10-06

sold two cents worth of peppermint
drops before she could speak for her
self.
can I've got to say is that didn't
'sturb nobody at church. I'm not going
to lie about it. I did laugh, but didn't
'sturb nobody |"
=" Hush, .hushl The prisoner is not
obliged to criminate herself. The law
Jones z You know what Blackstone
says 2"
Mr.. Jones didn't know Blackstone's
opinion, and didn't care to hear. Would
the judge please proceed with the case2
"All that remains is to sum up the
evidence, and decide according to law"
"Could L cross-exanline some of the
witnesses, and see if it is not possible to
throw better light on the whole
affair p
Certainly, Mr.. Jones as you wish
to act as volunteer counsel for the de-
fendant, the law allows you this privi-
lege."
Mr.. Jones asked George Wilson to ap-
pear again.
You say Kitty laughed. Did she
laugh aloud or noisily p
Wal-no, massa, I amt never hear
her. I see Brudder Williams frown, and
1 looked round, and I see her smile
again, pretty broad, and put up her fin
gers and look at Brudder Williams
through dem."
But did she disturb you at all 2"
"No, massa, she amt 'sturbed me
none. Gals is gals-dey amt like
boys"
Another and yet another witness was
asked if Kitty's laughter was loud
enough to interfere materially with their
devotiOns, and a little cross. examination
always resulted in the final confession
that the party had seen Brother Will
liams' discomfort, but had felt none
themselves.
Meanwhile the crowd of spectators,
all of whom were in deep sympathy with
the light-hearted Kitty, listened admir-
ingly to Mr.. Jones, with eyes starting
from their sockets, 80 intently did they
hang upon his words, rs he summed mp
the testimony.
&C If the judge will allow me to express
my opinion, should, from what we have
heard during the trial, say that Catharine
Taylor has been guilty of irreverence in
place of public worship; and that in
80 doing she annoyed one of the elders,
whose place it is to see that all deport
themselves properly on the occasion of q
service in the church. Beyond the mere
effect on Mr.. Williams feelings as
churchwarden, no harm seems to have
been done. No one else seems to have
heard any noise, or been induced even
to look towards the prisoner, except
from having their attention drawn to the
spot by their elders evident discomfort.
Sxch being the case, the plaintiff cannot
be said to have proved his statement
namely, that Kitty disturbed the wor-
ship Of the congregation. move the
Indictment be quashed."
You are right, Mr.. Jones. and Miss
Catharine may thank you for having
argued her case SO admirably. You have
the law Oh your side; the accusation of
disturbing a public assembly is not
proved; therefore, we can only repri-
mand the prisoner for her acknowledged
irreverence, and dismiss her.
A burst of applause from the specta-
tors followed, and a crowd collected
around Mr.. Jones TO shake hands with
him, and thank him for "speaking so
beautifully for Kitty-just like born
lawyer, for all the world l"--while David
Williams strutted out of the room In
state of virtuous indignation; and
Susie, the only one of the throng who
was not laughing boisterously, kept ap-
pealing to Kitty to know if her eyebrows
were white.