The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1884-05-23
lie Didn't Know.

A descendant of an ancient squatter who
| like his predecessors, has from earliest recol-
lection been living on lands whose title is
just about as genuine as the title OF the aver
age colonel was summoned before court as
a witness. The old man had heard a great
deal of courts, and how it was the aim OF
lawyers to sketch u Teller in lie and make
fun of him." and he was resolved not to al
low himself to be disgraced.
"What is your name ?" asked the lawyer.
| (Which one I've got several"
"The one you sign?"
81 don't sign none l can't write"
us your name Peggleton?"
"rhats part of it,"
| "What's the other part ofit?"
"You guessed so well the first time, now
guess again"
"The summons says that your name is
Joshua Pcggleton; is that correct ?"
81 reckon il is"
you have known the prisoner long time,
understand"
II never seed the prisoner before"
Look out, sir, or you'll perjurc yourself,
| 1t is well known that you have been inti-
mate with the man Jackson"
| Eyes, | know Jackson mighty we'll"
Though you never met him before ?"
II didn'tsay it,"
| ayes, you did, Your exact words were
4 never saw the prisoner before"
81 never did, for he wasn'ta prisoner when
| seed him."
"Ah, u very fine construction. See that
you continue to be so particular. Did you
see the quarrel between jackson and
| Alrchs?"
mo, sir never seed it,"
"Look out, sir, look out Were you pres.
| ent when the two men quarrelcd and
| fOught?"
81 was thar"
Thought you said that you didn't see the
quarrel?'
II didn't see it. l heard it."
"1ou are very exact. Wen see how far
your analysis will serve you. understand
then that you heard the quarrel?"
II don't know"
Didn't you say that you heard it ?"
Eyes, but don't know what you under
stand"
Glow far apart were they standing?"
u didn't measure il"
"How far doyou think?"
al don't think"
"Your Honor" exclaimed the lawyer, 81
wish you would impress upon this man the
Importance ofanswerng my questions. The
result of this case depends much upon his
testimony"
"Mr. Peggleton," said the Judge, "you
must tell what you know about the fight in a
straightforward manner"
you're the Judge, recKon?"
Eyes, I'm the Judge"
can you want me to tell what know
about this fight in straightforward manner?
Well, the fight wasn't in u straightforward
manner, for you never seed such scratchin'
and twistin' around The two men met an
cussed each other, but don't know why they
cussed. One knocked the other down, and
then the other knocked him down. Then
they fit. After awhile the other one fell and
got up and knocked him down. Then they
fit. About this time the thinggot sorter inter
estin', and | sorter wanted to jine hands my.
self, but didn't. After awhile they stopped
an cussed while they was reslin'. Then they
fit again, an both of them fell over chunk.
lcouldn't keep out any longer. The tempta-
ton was too strong, and while they laid on
the ground gathered n pole an says, here's
to you, boys and hit both of 'em at once
Then jumped the fence an run away, an
that's all know about the fight. Thank you
for your perite attention." and before he
could be restrained, he left the courtroom.