Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-09-25

The Court-The court had certainly
determined to imprison you for your
improper language, and again warns you
that it must not be repeated. Mr.. At
torney proceed with the case.
District Attorney-Mr. Buster
Wi;ness-Now, squire, please don't
call me
District Attorney-Oh. l ask pardon.
Jerry were you present in August last at
Johnson's tan yard, in this county, when
a difficulty occurred between the prison.
er at the bar, John Foster, and William
Truitt. Ifso, tell all about it in your
own way.
Witness-Well, squire, one night
thar was turrible storm passed thro
our make of the woods and bowed down
big poplar in the corner Of the horse
lot and killed my speckled caf. Well,
the next mornin' my ole oman seeing as
how the caf was dead, said, Jerry, |
reckon as how the cat is dead, you mount
as well skin it and take the hide to the
tan yard" So after got my breakfast
tuck my butcher knife and went out to
where the yearlin' was lynn dead
District Attorpey-Never mind about
the calf Tell US what you saw of the
difficulty.
Witness-But, squire, do mind about
the caf I'm poor man, and with me
and my old oman cat is a caf. FL l
was rich like your town foxes, mount
not er skinned the CAT, but you see
District Attorney-I don't want to
know anything about your calf. Tell US
about the fight at the tan yard between
the prisoner, Foster, and William Truitt.
Counsel for Defense He has not said
yet, there was any fight.
Witness-Correc' squire. hain't
sed nothin' of the sort.
District Atitorney-Oh, well, if you
saw any difficulty tell us about that.
Witness Well, as was sain', tux
my nife and went out in the lot whar the
caf was layin' as dead as "a
District Attorney-Witness, you will
please tell me about the difficulty at the
lanyard, if you saw it. Your calf has
nothing TO do with it.
Witness-Correc', squire; the caf war
dead-almost too dead to skin, but I had
a good knife and / skinned him.
District Attorney-Ifyour honor please,
| must appeal to the court to make the
witness answer the question.
The Court-Mr Witness
Witness (appealingly) Now, jedge-
The Court-Silence, sir. You will
answer the question of the attorney.
Witness-Well, jedge, | was tryin'
my bes' to do it. ti5
The Court-You will answer the qres-
ton and leave off the rigamarole about
your calf.
District Attorney to witness-Go on
and answer my question.
Witness-Well, squire, ef you'll give
me white mans chance, Ill do it.
District Attorney have asked you
q very plain question, and instead of ans.
wering it, You commence a string Of
nonsense ubout your calf. What has
the death of your calf got to do with the
question: -.
Witness-Well, squire, (sgain squirt
Ing his tobacco juice over the foor) I'll
tell YOU. Ef that storm hadn't ter blow
ed down the tree ON the caf and killed it,
I wouldn't eff skinned the caf. and ef l
hadn't er skinned the caf wouldn't er
tuck his hide to the tan yard, l wouldn't
er been thar. now would Il
District Attorney-Well, l suppose
not--go on.
Witness-And eff hadn't er been thar
| couldn't er seed nothin' to tell, now
could II You see. squire, you didn't
know what was comm to-now did
yer, -s-. M
District AttornsY-W1l, 60 on.
Witness-,WeH, arter l skinned the
caf cotch my old mare and carried the
hide over to the lanyard. When got
thar seed Jack Foster sittn' dosn,by
the tut Nv a tree, and Bill Tfuits was a.
tallsin' to him. Ag0OB 3
District Attorney-Well, what did
Truitt say to Defendant Fosters
Witness swell, squire, you see when
| rid up on my old mare. I seed Bill .
talkin', but couldn't hear a word he
said, fur war hundred yards off when
1 fas' see EN-. E\EG
District Attorney-Well, didn't you
get near enough TO hear anything that
was said.
} qwithessvob yes squire giving an
other squirt Of tobacco juice.
800 District Attoney-Well, after you
got near enough to hear, what was said I,
Witness-Well, Bill sed to Jack thar,