The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-08-07

that was their affair altogether Ananias
went sneaking around attending to what he
conceived to be his own business, and there is
no doubt that in some way he managed TO
keep Colonel Flewellen's larder we'll supplied
with provisions.
About this time Mr. Washington Jones,
who had hired a clerk for his store, and
who was mainly deyoting his time to manag-
ing, as proprietor, the Flewelen Place, which
he has formerly managed as overseer, began to
discover that he was the victim of a series of
mysterious robberies and burglaries. Nobody
suffered but Mr. Jones, and everybody said
that 1t was not only very unjust, but very pro-
Voklng also, that this enterpriSing citizen
should be Systematically robbed, while all
his neighbors should escape. These mystic
rIous robberies soon became the talk of the
whole county. Some people sympathized with
Jones, while others laughed at him. Certainly
the mystery was very funny mystery, for
when Jones watched his potato hill, his smoke
house was sure to be entered. If he watched
his smokehouse, his potato hill would suffer
Ii he divided his time watching both of these
his storehouse would be robbed. There was
no regularity about this; but it was generally
conceded that the more Jones watched, the
more he was robbed, and it finally came to be
believed in the county that Jones, to express
It III the vernacular "hollered too loud to be
hurt much"
At last one day it was announced that Jones
had discovered the thief who had been robbing
him. He had not caught him, but he had
seen him plainly enough to identify him. The
next thing that Rockville knew, q warrant
had been issued FOX Ananias. and he was ar
rested. He had no commitment trial. He was
lodged in jail to await trial i'll the superior
court Colonel Flewellen was sorry for the
negro, as well he might be, but he was afraid
to go ON his bond. Faithful as Ananias had
been, he was negro, after all, the colonel ar
gued, and If he was released on bond he would
not hesitate to run away, If such an idea should
occur to him..
Fortunately Tor Ananias he was not per-
mitted to langaish in Jail. Tie superior court
met the week after he was arrested, and his
case was among the first called. 1t seemed to
be case, Indeed, that needed very little try
ing, But a very curious incident happened in
the courtroom.
Among the lawyers present was Mr. Terrell
OF Macon. Mr.. Terrell was by all odds the
greatest lawyer practicing in that circuit. He
was so great, indeed, that he was not called
"major, or colonel" oEtsjudge." Lie ranked
with Stephens and Hill, and like these distin-
gulsl1ed men his title was plain Mr." r.Ter-
rel practiced in all the judicial circuits of the
state, and had important cases in all of them.
5 He was IN Rockville for the purpose Of arguing
a case to be tried at that term, aud which he
knew would be carried to the supreme court of
the state, no matter what the verdict Of the
lower court might be. He WAS arranging and
verifying his authorities anew and he was very
busy when the sheriff came into the courthouse
bringing Ananias. The judge on the
Dt1Cu lhOuSnb ne Adu never seen u more
rascally -looking prisoner; but even rascally-
looking prisoners have their rights, and So,
when Ananiass case was called, the Judge
asked him III a friendly way if he had counsel
---if he had engaged lawyer to defend him
Anarias did not sNdefs!and at first but
when the MISTER WINS made plain to llfnishe
said he could get u lawyer. Whereupon he
walked over TO where Mr.. Terrell sat i'm
mersed in his big books, and touched him on
the shoulder. The lawyer booked up
II nj name Ananias, sub" said the negro.
II remember you," said Mr.. Terrell "What
are you doing here?"
"Dey got me up fer my trial, sub, en- amt
got nobody fer ter speak de word fer me, subj
Ell l 'low'd maybe"
Ananias paused, He knew not what else to
say. He lad no sort of claim on this man.
lie saw everybody around him laughing Tie
great lawyer himself smiled as he twirled his
eyeglasses on his fingers. Ananias was en-
barrassed.
you want me to speak the word ?" said Mr..
Terrell.
"Yes, sub, il you please, sub"
you need not trouble yourself, Mr. Ter
rrell," said the judge, aifably. IL was about
TO appoint counsel"
MAY it please your homer" said Mr.. Terrell,
rising, II will defend this boy, l know moth
ing whatever OF the case, but / happen to
know something of the negro"
There was quite stir in the courtroom at
this announcement The loafers outside the
day Tor good many years, leaned forward to
take another look ut him. The lawyers inside
the bar also seemed TO be Interested in the
matter. Some thought that the great lawyer
had taken the negroes case by way of Joke,
and they promised themselves n good deal OF
enjoyment, for it is not every day that
prominent man is geen at play
Others knew not what to think, so that between
those who regarded il as practical joke and
those who thought that Mr.. Terrell might be
EgrlOuS mood aU IN ia a
sensation.
''May it please the court" said Mr.. Terrell,
his firm voice penetrating to every part Of the
large room, 81 know nothing OF this case !;
therefore / will ask half All hours delay to look
over the papers ana consult with my client"
Certainly" said tho judge pleasantly.
"Mr. Sheriff, take the prisoner 10 the grand
jury room, SO that he may consult with his
counsel"
The sheriff locked the prisoner and the law
yer in the grand jury room, and left his deputy
there TO open the door when Mr.. Terrell an
nounced that the conference was over In the
mean time the court proceeded with other bus
mess. Cases were settled, dismissed or post
poned. A couple OF young lawyers fell into a
tumultuoas wrangIe over an iminaterial point,
which the judge disposed Of with wave OF his
hand.
In the grand jury room Ananias was telling
his volunteer counsel n strange tale.
~.
anu 40 you mean 10 ttil me thab yOu really
stole these things from Jones?" said Mr.
Terrell, after he had talked little with his
client.
well, subj" replied Ananas, unabashed
~ didn't zackly steal uin, sub, but / tuck UNI ;
des tuck um sub"
what call had you TO steal from Jones2
Weren't you working for Colonel Flew
ellen? Didn't he feed you2" inquired the
lawyer. Ananlas shifted about from one
foot 10 the other, aud whipped his legs
with his shabby hat. which he held in his
hand. Lawyer Terrell, seated in "a comfort
able chair and thoroughly at his case, regard
cd the negro curieusly. There appeared to be
a pathetic element even in Ananias's man
ner.
"Wcll, sun he said, after WHILE seeing
that he could not escape from the confession,
'ef hadn't a-tuk dom thingsfum Marse Wash
Jones, my Marster and my young migtisa
would q sot dar On bodacionsy starye deyse'f
to def ] dun seed dat sub. Dcy Wuz too
proud 70 tell folks dey wuz dat bad of, sub, en-
dcy'd n sot dar, en- des bodaciously starve dcy-
sci 10 def suh All doy lifetime, sub,
dey bin use ter hayin' DER Wites put right
on do table whar dey kin git H.. On wen dc
iarmin' days done gone sub, dey want nobody
but Ananias Ter put de- yittlcs dar en- / des
halter scuitle 'gOun en- git ~ do be5 way kin.
speck, sub, % Ananias went or, his connten-
anco Frightening up little "dat ef de wuss
Had a-comc ter de wuss, I'd a stole do yittles;