The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1892-03-31
"reminiscences of Bench and Bar.

Judge Frost was born and reared in
the city of Charleston, and soon won
front rank among the great lawyers who
practiced at the bar. Such men as
Benjamin G.. Hunt, Richard Yeardon,
James Pettigru and many others were in
the zenith of their fame. The first court
held by Judge Frost was at Chesterfield
court house. he was emphatically a
city Judge, unfamiliar with the country
people, their customs and manners, knew
nothing Of the slang phrases that OBJ
tanned among rural population, but an
accomplished gentleman, cultured
scholar and profound lawyer.
In order to more fully appreciate this
story I now intend relating, my readers
must allow me to switch off on side
track, in order to bring before them one
of the most unique characters the State
ever produced, who gave his honor,
Judge Frost, his first lesson in country
slang.
In the town of Cheraw there lived an
old woman, who lived, no one knew how,
with two boys. One of them named
Steve-Steve Lang. IT'S of him 1
write.
At the time write about, Steve was
about IS years old, but long before that
time had won renown as q natural born
wit and wag. His exploits were not
always confined to the principles laid
down ia The moral code. His education
was gathered in the slums and suburbs
of the town from his associates. Under
no circumstances was be abashed at any
conduct he was engaged in, however,
com promising it might be. His great
passion from early youth was rabbit hunt.
ing, and for this purpose he kept four
or FIVE long, lank, maDgy ours that fo!-
lowed at bis heels wherever he went.
When about ten years of age pious
Christian old lady went through the
back streets of the town drumming for
Sunday school scholars. She called on
old aunt Sally Lang and obtained her
promise 10 send Steve next Sabbath
morning to the Sunday school. Steve at
first rebelled, but one grasp of her long
bony fingers in his shirt collar, one
snatch across her lap and the hummlng
of shingle for about FIVE minutes and
Steve succumbed.
Bright and early Sunday morning
Steve put in bis appearance at the
church door. The old lady met him at
the door and invited him in; his faith
full friends, his many ours, stopped out.
side.
She carried Steve to seat and with
heart filled with zeal she began her
first lesson that should rescue him from
his wild career. She commenced by re-
citing the Lords prayer. Steve following.
When about the middle of it he heard
a dog bark. His instincts overwhelmed
him, and jumping from his seat, be ex.
claimed, "By Cd, Watch has jumped a
rabbit. must 60" and out of the door
he leaped with whoop of encourage
mept to his dogs, and thus ended Steve's
religious training.
He soon become familiar character
around the gfog shops, and like Ramsey
Snif1e in the Gsorgia Scenes be was
always trying to get up fight among
the bulies who infested these haunts.
he vas always careful to keep out ofa
fight himself, believing prudence was the
better part of valor
But on one occasion he became so off.
cious that he had to run to keep from
being chastised in the general melee he
had worked up, in which some of the
parties were badly cut up, and the result
was that they were indicted and the case
was entered on the criminal docket with
Steve Lang as witness.
This brings me back to the first court
Judge Frost had ever held. Every
member of the bar was we'll acquainted
with Sieve, and they all anticipated a
rich time when he wss to be examin-
ed.
Estate VS.. Daniel Mclean, assault
with deadly weapon" cried out the so
licitor, the first case On Monday morn.
ing.
"Call Stephen Lang" Up walked
Stephen, q long, lank individual, with
both hands rammed down in his pock-
cts and q self-poised air that did not
quail when he took his position by the
Judge, w'lo sat in his black silk flowing
robe, ..ge the very embodiment of JUS
tice.
"Tell u.s." said the solicitor, "what you
know about this ARRAY, Mr.. Lang"
"When they hitched bosses, l cut"
promptly responded Mr.. Lang.
"Hitched horses, cut" solilcquiaed
the Judge, looking at the witness for an
explanation. II don't understand you,
sir. Who did you cut"
A smile of contempt swept over
Steve's countanande at the judge ig.
norance, aud replied: II didn't cut no.
body"
"When they locked horns, I sloped."
Locked horne, sloped," again So
liloquised his honor. II still don't uu.
derstand you, sir" said the judge,
his face reddening as le saw every
member of the bar couvulsed with laugh.
ter.
With another smile from Steve almost
audible he said "Whsn they tangled |
toddled."
The whole court housa roared, with
Steve above the rest.
eff you don't uso different vernacu.