The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-12-26
Gdit and 9umOr.
Pompey was Cleared.
From the Atlanta. Ga. Constitution.

..Private John Allen, of Mississippi,
who became the wit of the House of Rep
resentatives with the death of Sunset Cox,
tells good story on himself of how he
came to be profound lawyer.
A party of members were telling yarns
in the cloak room of the House recently,
and when Aliens turn came he told this
one:
Il want to tell you the greatest legal
victory of my life, said Allen, as he lighted
cigar and propped his feet against the
wall in true Southern style. at was down
in Tupelo, during the trying period just
after the war. was at that time prac-
ticing lawyer-that is, practiced when
ever had any cases to practice with.
One day Uncle Pompey, one Of the old
negroes of the settlement, came into my
office and said
MARS John, | wants you to clar me.
Use gwine to be rested for stealth of two
hams out en- de cross road store.
"Well, Pcmpey,' asked, ''did you steal
the hams ?"
''Mars John, just took EN-
Did any one see you ?" | asked
'Yar, boss, said the old negro, discon-
solately; 'two ole white buckra's,"
"Well, Pompey," | replied, II cant do
anything for you under the circumstances.
Now, Mars john said old Pompey
"heres $40. iist want you to try
''Well, | consented to try" said Allen
The case was to be heard before an old
Magistrate named johnson He was totally
uneducated, and was, moreover, perfect
dictator, aud no negro ever came before
him who was not fined the maximum
penalty and sent to his field to expiate the
crime in the sweat of his brow"
1.-The Magistrate heard the case. Every
possible proof was brought to show that
Pompey stole the hams. There could be
no doubt of it from the testimony. | did
not put single question to any of the
witnesses, but when the testimony was all
in arose, and in my most dienified man
ncr addressed the Magistrate
MAY it please your Honor, it would be
useless for me to argue the position he
holds, and before one who would adorn
the Superior if not the Supreme Court
bench of this grand old Commonwealth
And | may say that those who know you
best say that you would grace even the
Supreme Court of the United States, the
highest tribunal in the land. 1t will be
useless to dwell upon the testimony. You
have heard it, and know the case as well
as | do. However, it may not be out of
order for me to call your Honor's attention
to short passage in the old English law,
which clearly decides this case, and which,
for the moment, your Honor may have
forgotten"
''Then | fished down into my pocket
and drew forth, with Il great flourish, an
old copy of Julius Caesar" | opened it
with great dignity to the first page and
read the line which is familiar to every
schoolboy: Comma Gallia in parties tres
divisa est THAT decides the case, said
|, throwing the book upon the table.
THAT clearly acquits the defendant
with great dignity and solemnity
then took my seat. The old Magistrate
was completely nonplused. He looked at
me a moment quizzically and scratched his
head. Then, turning to Pompey. he raised
himself to his full height and said
'POmpey, | know you stole them hams,
but by the ingenuity of your lawyer I've
got to let you 90. Git out, said he, "and
if you ever come here again, lawyer or no
lawyer, you git six months