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

ran In, and hurrying up to the Judges
table, said: "Mister, say, please
give me two cents worth of ginger
snaps"
The judge rose with all gravity, walked
to small shelf behind him, took the
cakes from plate standing there, hand
ed them to the boy, and receiving his
pay, pocketed it, while he resumed the
discussion of the case before him, refer
ring constantly to his books, until again
interrupted by one of the witnesses, a
gawky, hungry looking, half-grown boy.
who pulled the forelock of his hair, as
he said: "S'cuse me, massa; but will
you please glib me cents worth of yer
bull 'seyes2 2"
Certainly, my friend," replied the
suave vender of sweets, as he walked
with the dignity of lord chancellor to
his shelf, took down the glass jar of can
dies, and returned with the required
quantity of bull'seyes.
The boy put down a five-cent piece,
and while the Judge searched his pock-
cts for four pennies to give rs change, he
went on with his discourse upon what
Blackstone said of offenses similar in
character to that charged to have been
committed by Miss Catharine Taylor.
The twentieth witness for the plaintiff
having at last arrived, the Judge opened
the case with all due solemnity, and re-
guested Mr.. Williams to take the witness
stand and state his grievance.
The church elder, tall, severe-look-
ing colored man, with white hair and
beard, stepped forward and began his
speech.
May it please your honor, Sunday
fore last 1 was at my church, rs every
spectacle colored person should be
when there's preaching. I showed the
folks to their proper places, and put
that wicked young person, Miss Catha-
rine Taylor, in a comfortable position,
where she could attend to her duties like
Christian, and then I retired to my
own seat to enjoy myself in hearing the
prayers but you b'lieve me, sir, that
wicked young oman, the prisoner at the
bar, disturbed my devotions with her
laughing and chattering, 30 that it was
no use to try and tend to my own
Christian business any more. She dis
turbed the whole congregation, please
your honor, and. know 'tis the duty
and pleasure Of you gentlemen as regil-
ates the laws to see that the laws is
obeyed and can prove by myself and
these colored gentlemen here that she's
broke 'em-eveIy one-and that she de-
serves to go to the court jail, and live on
bread and water till she learns man.
ners."
"Thank you, Mr.. Williams that will
do. You have stated your case clearly,
and-ahem -laconically You see, Mr..
Jones, your little maid is prone to err,
as regards her religious duties. like the
rest of lis, and, also, must pay the pen
atty of her guilt. Mr.. Wilson, will you
please come forward and testify to the
best of your knowledge and belief2"
George Wilson, a jolly looking darkey,
left the ranks and came forward, grin
ming from ear to ear.
He was duly sworn, and then asked if
Mr.. Williams statement was correct if
he himself was at church on that fatal
night and if he was interrupted in his
devotions by Kitty's laughter.
va as, massa, 1 was at church dat
night, for l always goes to meetin' if I
kin git dere, and It's sartin sure Kitty
like, and 'sturbed folks nightly. Ebery
word Brudder Williams say is true but,
massa, she ar'n't nothing but gal yet,
and gals will hab deir fun, makes no diff
ference whar dey is:"
"That will do, Mr.. Wilson. We see
your evidence is against the prisoner,
but your kind heart recommends her to
our mercy on account of her youth"
"I g pose you say de right ting,
massa but amt got no book larnin'
like desc young ones. nowadays, as goes
to school. L know one ting, massa, I
tells de truth, and nothin' but de truth.
l aiu't pomsious myself, like some folks
[ know ; L don't put on airs jist COS 1
knows Ise free man now-lives to nv
self and works for myself, and puts de
money straight in dis ole pocket, whar
it stays till de ole woman comes and
steals it all and, bless you, don't leave
me 'nuf to buy my 'b.ccer."
A half-dozen other witnesses were
called, all of whom testified clearly
against Kitty.
elf Mr.. Williams is satisfied, I think
we might now examine the witness for
the defendant. A bad case against your
client, eh, Mr.. Jones2"
Susie, the half -witted friend of Kitty.
like hunted deer, sprans TO her feet
when her name was called. Some one
had whispered in her ear 1--WE afterward
discovered) that her eyebrows would
turn white if she told falsehood while
under oath, and the girl was wild with
terror lest such misfortune should be-
fall her.
"Miss Susan, what can you say in
favor of your friendi Did she, or did
she not, laugh and disturb the worship
ers at the meeting2"
"I-I dunno, sir. She didn't do moth
in as see but laugh little bit. 1
b'lieve she laugh-maybe she didn't
please, SIR, don't send her to Jail ! Deed,
sir, she didn't do nothin' to hurt no
body I"