Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1884-12-11
A SLY OLD scHEMER.
AN INCIDENT N a COURT OF JUSTICE.
How old Ike Prepared the Way for His
AeqaittaI OF Serious Charge
saved by a Young Boys
InteFferencs.


Old African Ike was summoned 20 ep-
pear before court 70 render important tes-
timony in a case involving the honor OF
q coiored gentlemen who, nearly every
one believed, stole sheep. Young Null
kittls upon whom strict watch was kept
his mother being on visit ia the coun-
try, and his father being absorbed in
preparing himself for coming debate
asked old Ike if he might accompany
him.
"i'ss gwine ter tend ter some law busi-
ness, honey, an l doan' know dat it wouP
be 'sistant Wild de cou't % de lam ter low
chillun ter 'tisipate in de proceegins o. de-
hour, but mebby, ez J haz siderable 'bu-
ence wild de hall o. justice, da mout, jes'
ter please me, set aside de rules an reg
gerlations, cause yer know, honey, USER
be a member o. de cotton Change"
"a member OF the cotton 'ehange? re-
peated the boy.
.0h, yas, uster Change cotton for ba
con. On, Pse been 'huential man in my
day. Come erlong, am think dat kin
work yer way inter de 'semblage."
The old man had no trouble IA securing
admission for the boy, such was his intiu-
ence with the Judge and Prosecuting At
torney, and conducting his young compan-
ion to the reservation especially fenced in
for the lawyers, he sat down, nodded in
recognition OF an acquaintance who sat on
the ''prisoners' BENCH" and leaned back
10 enjoy the distinction guaranteed by his
former relationship with the "cotton
'change.n
SECT out of here" said deputy-Sheriff.
''You'll have TO sit back yonder, little fell
low"
"Pse witness on dis or 'casion, sah,"
replied old Ike, with proud attempt to
stiffen the back of his neck.
''Well, go back yonder and stay until
you are called"
SAINT titled ter de special ceremony
an pribiIegeY'
sect out, tell youp'
''Sartanly," and arising and turning to
the boy, he said: "He doan' un'erstan' de
sitywashun, honey. He's er new man in
de flock, but wait till l has time ter speak
ter de jedge, an Pll hab his wings clipped
er little"
The boy, indignant in the belief that
the ola mans Importance had not been
recognized, insisted that the insulter
should be Immediately brought to justice,
but the old man, wiser and more mature
in his deliberations, replied:
"Neber mind, honey. De Sabior wuz
once Suited by de lawyers am de fox
houn's o. de cou't room but dar punish
ment come arter erwhile."
The boy anxiously waited, and when
old Ike was called to the witness box, he
accompanied the sage, and seemingly
unobserved, seated himself on the steps
leading 10 the throne of Justice.
What is your name?" asked the prose-
cutting attorney after the old man had been
placed under oath.
"Ike.o
"What's your other name?"
"Which udder name? Use got fo' ur
FIVE. Belonged ter seberal different mars
ters, sah."
swell, which name do you go by?"
"Fust one and den de udder. Owin' ter
whut comp'ny I'se in"
"Never mind his name," interposed the
lawyer for the defense. "The summons
says that his name is Isaac Balch."
swell. Mr.. Balch,o continued the Prose-
cutting Attorney, ''do you know the de-
fendant?r
81 oughter know him. He owes me er
dollar"
''What kind of name does he bear in
the neighborhoodsn
"Neber heard muffin ergin his name.
Soun's well ernuff."
'Do you consider him an honest man!"
swat till he pays me dat dollar. Den 1
won't be prejudist."
''Tell us what you know in regard to his
stealing a sheep from Mr.. Parker.n
'Neber seed him steal no Sheep"
'Come, sir. Didn't you tell q man that
you had eaten part of the sheepr
''I kahn tell by tastin' err sheep whuther
10 wuz stole or not. Yerse'f eat more o. de
sheep den / did,
What do you mean, sir?"
"Means dat half o. de sheep wuz tuck
ter yer house am sold, sab. Oh, doan
come none o. yer pranks wild me-"
'Your HONOR" exclaimed the Prosecut-
ing Attorney. II don't think that the wit
ness knows anything about the case.u
'Neber mine,u said Old Ike, "shoot yer
dye stuff"
"None Of your impudence, sir.v
"Proceege wild de barn rasin.o
"Gentlemen please observe order," said
the judge, turning with weary air from
n stack Of papers which he was examin-
ing.
"Uncle Ike" said the boy, "why don't
you call him liarr'
Every eye was turned in the direction
whence the small voice came.
"Hush, honey. bush. OATS whut he is,
but If he Amt got sense 'nuff ter know il,
amt gwine tell him.
"Mr. Sheriff." said the Judge, 'syou will
please take that old man TO jail to serve
fifteen days for contempt of courts
"No. mister exclaimed the boy, spring
IN 70 his feet. s'please don't do that. He
is sick an oughter be at home. Please let
me take him away. 1t would kill him TO
put him in jail Come on Uncle Ike.n
reaching up and taking hold Of the old
mans hand. "Come on, they won't hurt
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