Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1883-08-09
A LAWYER CAUGHT.
How Colored Gentleman Cleared a Pris.
oner, But How hs Suffered on Account
of it,

Old Gabe, who was admitted to the
bar sometime ago, and who stunned his
colored contemporaries by his vast array
of patent office books, was recently EN-.
ployed to defend man arranged on a
charge of stealing saddle. When the
ebon-hued orator arose in argument, the
court room was crowded with colored
people, who had come from neighbor.
ing church, to hear their brother ''git
up an talk like er white man."
MAY it agree wild dis court, an de
'telligent men what poses de jury sys-
tenn on dis occasion. l would like ter
make use of er few exclamations why
dis innocent gentleman shouldn't be
'victed OBJ de charge what ignorance
an jealousness hab fotch agin him. De
ebidence is mighty strong agin him, an
it prubes to what a extent folks in dis
free country takes liberties wild anoder
mans name. Dat man is de innocent
est man in dis town, an wouldn't be-
liebe dat he stole de saddle, eben eff I
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 foun' de owner, an axed his permis-
sion. Now, jedge, it's courtesy fer q
lawyer ter do eberything in his power
ter sabe his client, amt it?''
Yes" replied the Judge.
"Wall, dat what L Sc gwinter do. Use
gwineter prube 'clusively dat dis po',
homes man didn't steal dat saddle; fur
Use gwinter make a statement what'll
open de eyes oh dis court. I amt der
kline oh 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. tuck il at fust
wild de intention OBJ keepin' it, but bout
de time l arriv' at his house, l got
skeered an put de saddle in such po-
sition dat de crime would be laid on
him."
IF that is the case" said the Judge,
''the man must be liberated. Prisoner,
you are free
Thank yer, jedge,'' exclaimed the
delighted lawyer, as the prisoner left
the court room. Use a lawyer, my
se'f, an will take de pleasure OBJ say
in right heah, dat de lawyers what hab
heretofore hill back wild dar 'fessional
frien ships, can come forward now an
gin me dar hans, case Use prubed my
se'f ter be de excl OBJ de occasion.
has cleared my man. Talk to me bout
de law"
"Are you ready to go?" asked an Off
Ger, who, after consultation with the
judge. approached the lawyer.
"Whar does I wanter go?'
ITO Jail. You are prisoner"
"What sorter prisoner"
"Asaddle hief--self-convicted. You'll
60 to jail until your sentence has been
pronounced"
"Look aheah, jedge, how's dis?"
'You are convicted of stealing sad
die, and of course must 60 to prison."
II didn't steal no saddle. Dat was q
trick OBJ mine ter clear my man. You
said dot lawyer oughter do eberything
in his power fur his client, an I didn't
see no udder chance
"Yes, and it was trick that will
send you to the penitentiary. Go with
the officer"
"rll be dinged ef I understand dis
heah sorter practicin' law. Man can't
clear client in dis country widout get
tin hisse'f in trouble. Yer ken take
back my law license if yer want 'em."
"Come on" demanded the officer.
'.Dis beats anything eber seed," he
said, as he accompanied the officer. 81
wouldn't practice law in dis state-doan
pull me dat way-ef yer'd make de CUB
ner black my boots. Pears to me dat
somebody has acted de fool, an dinged
eff doan believe it was myse'f." ."-Ar-
kansGw IraCeier.