Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-06-16
ALAwYER CAUGHT.
How a COlOred Gentleman
Cleared q Prisoner, but How
He suffered on Account of Il.
ArkansaN TraYslsr.

ArkanSuW traveller.
Old Gabe, who was admitted to the
bar some time ago, and who stunned
his colored contemporaries by his vast
array Of patent Office books, was re-
Gently employed to defend a man
arraigned on a charge Of stealing a
saddle, When the ebon hued orator
arose in argument, the court room
was crowded with colored people, who
had come from neighboring church,
to hear their brother git up an talk
like er white man. y H7
May it agree wild dis court, an de
telligent men what poses de jury
system on dis occasion, / would like
ter make use OBJ er few ordinations
why dis innocent gen leman shouldn't
be 'victed OBJ de charge what igno-
rance and jealousness hab fotch agin
him. De Evidence is mighty strong
agin him, an it prubes ter what an
extent folks in dis free country takes
liberties wild anoder man name. Dat
man is de innocentest man In dis
town, an wouldn't beliebe dat he
stole de saddle, chen eff | seed him do
it. Dat man couldn't steal eff he
wuster try. He is so homes dat on
one occasion, when he foun' bottle er
whisky, he wouldn't take drink till
he toun' de owner, an axed bis per-
mission. Now, Jedge, it's courtesy
fer lawyer ter do eberything in his
power ter sabe his client, amt it?'
Yes" replied the Judge.
well, OATS what Use gwineter do.
Use gwiDeter prube 'clusively dat dis
po', homes man didn' tsteal dat saddle;
fur Use gwineter make a statement
what'll open de eyes OBJ dis court. |
amt de kline OBJ a man ter stan by an
see man suffer in my place. stole
dat saddle myself. De prisoner at de
bar was at home asleep when | stole
de saddle an tuck it ter his house. I
tuck it at fust wild de intention oh
keepin' it, but bout de time | arriv'
at his house, | got skeered an put de
saddle in such position dat dc crime
would be laid on him." N
IF that is the case, said the Judge.
the man must be liberated. Prisoner
you are free" ~ llQV1i4 IlI +
THANK yer, Judgel" exclaimed, the
delighted lawyer, as the prisoner lett
the court room. Use lawyer, my>
SET, an | will take de pleasure OBJ say
ip' right hesh, dat de lawyers what
nab heretofore hill back wild dar 'fes
sional frien ships, can come forward
now an gin me dar hans, case Use
prubed mysef ter be de excl oh de
casiOn. / has cleared my man. Talk
too me bout de law"
Are you ready to go2'' asked an
officer, who, after consultation with
the Judge approached the lawyer.
w har does | wapter goq"
ITO Jail. You are prisoner.
q What sOrter prisoner2p
"a saddle thief--self convicted
You'll go tojail until your sentence
has been pronounced"
look aheah, Judge, how's dis?"
YYou are convicted of stealing sad>
die, and of course you must go to
prison. '.
II didn't steal NO saddle. Dat was
Q trick oh mine to clear my man. Eou
said dat lawyer ogghter to do sbery.
thing 10 bis power fur his client, an |
didn I see no udder chance" r.li
i"Yes, and it was a trick that will
send you to the penitentiary. Go with
the officer"
l"I'll be dingsd eff l understan dis
heah soTtsr practicin' law A man
can't clear q client i1 dis country
widout gittin hisse'f in trouble. Yer
ken take back my law license, if yer
want 'em,"
f'eOAs on hereP' demanded the of
Geer. " illl :
IBIS beats anything | ebsr sesd,n
be sid. as be accompanied the officer,
u wouldn't practice law in dis State
doan pull me dat way--et you make de
gubner black my boots. Pears to me
dat so,hebndy has acted de fool, an
Tin dinged eff l doan believe it was
myself" br