The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-05
SAVED BY THE BABY.
How an Atlanta Darkey Got or IN a
Charge Of DRUNKENNESS.


There was an unusual scene in the Re-
corder's court the other day, says the
Atlanta Constitution. A negro man was
before its bar on a charge Of drunkenness.
Judge Calhoun, who has wonderful
memory In such matters, recognized an
old offender in the darky.
Jake, said he, ''this Is the third time
you've been here this year.
The negro scratched his head ana shifted
his hat from one hand 60 the other.
"Yasser, dat's so; It sho' is. But dem
ar yuther times is done gone by, an dish
yer time-well, sub, dish yer time Is bran
new"
'Well you were drunk each time" re-
marked tho Judge, frowning.
"Yesser. / sho' wuz. | speck had
de same OIL warble, but dc 'oasion wuz
bran new.
"It's always some excuse" said the
Judge, "but 1 want you to understand
that I'm tired of seeing you here on
charge of drunkenness I"
well, suh-"
"No | don't want to hear your excuses.
It's drunk, drunk, drunk, until even the
stockade is tired OF you. y
But ledge {" protested the negro look
ing around uncasily and lowering his
voice, "de 'scuse what got now amt so
mighty big. but IL look like ter me dat
It's mighty good one"
"Well, ont with IL. "
"Hit's des n baby, jedge
"A whatf'
"Des a little baby. sub"
"Well, what has that got TO do with it?'
asked the judge, his manner showing 10
little curiosity.
Hits at my house, sub. Yasser hits
dar right now, an | bet you OF 'tain't
sleep it's n-hollerin. Uncertain as his
position was, the negro chuckled.
The judge regarded the darky with "a
relenting eye, playing with slip of
paper on his desk.
"Well, what of itg" His judicial indig-
nation had disappeared.
well, sub, hit wuz dis Away: De las
time / went out or dish yer place, | say ter
myself / amt gwne tetch no more
dram, 'kase done foun' out dat tain't
MON half hour frum dc mouf er dc
bottle ter de rock pile. / made up my
min on dat, an l helf IL dar' twel las
night. Well. sub, when ! got home fun
work. dey wuz Niger oman dar hust-
lin 'roun'. Hello here what kinder
dolns' is disT amt mon got de words
outn my mouf for / hear sump'n
blatin' un' dc kivyer Ike teeny nanny
goat. An dc niger oman she up an
low, You got a baby, II you but know'd
il.
"Well, sum- dey sorter tu'n down do
Counterpin, an Oar he wuZ, deS eZ nat
chul as you please He wunk at me n
time or two, an den he gun ter blate. l
start TO pick i'm up, sub, bein' ez no wuz
dc fust an do ouiest, bCt dat ar niger
oman she des shove ire roun' an say /
better go on bout my business.
Here the Judge took off his glasses
and rubbed them carefully, leaned on his
elbow on the Code and rested his head
on his hand. There was almost smile
on his face as he remarked:
"And what did you do then, JakeY
The negro scratched his head and
laughed sheepishy. "Well, sub, dar /
wuz, grown man wild "a baby an can't
put his han on It, hr1 mighty quare
feelin's | want ter go in dar, an den |
skcered ter | kIow'd | want ter do
sum'p, but L dunner know what. | feel
so good, 1 say I'll jes take one dram in
commembunce er de baby. Well sub, |
tuck IL, an Of you don't know de res, de
pleeceman dar kin tell you.
The Judge cleared his throat and tried
to frown but the frown was failure
'Jake." he said, you can go this
time Your excuse is not n good one, but
/ know how you felt. / have boy at
my houso--a fine one.
81 boun' it's sub u exclaimed Jake.
"Tho finest on my side of town; IL is
admitted by everybody. know what
your temptations were. / resisted sand
you didn't. 90 and behave yourself
Call the next casep'