The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1897-02-17
should he ever "handle''

Inc very next morning, as NE marched
into court, was delighted to see Uncle
Siliie among the spectators. But | was
overjoyed to learn from the sheriff. soon
after, that this celebrated equivocator
was to be lmpaneled. Squad after squad
of men for jurors were brought within
the bar, and all were sent back disuualI-
Ted except two, when Uncle Billie was
brought forward in a group. When
his turn came | pulled Crlsp's coat and
softly whispered: "Crisp, there's your
6ete-noire." He evidently did not un-
derstand me, for he confidently proceed,
ed to expound his usual question:
''HaYe you expressed any definite opin-
ION concerning the guilt or innocence of
the prisoner at the bar?" Sherman
looked steadily at Crisp and then at the
ceiling for few moments, when, in a
long-draWn monotone, he replied: "Nig-
gers are getting powerful like white
people, you might say; Spann goes and
Kills his wife, and now here comes Lee
Smith and pitches in and" 1--WE
don't want to hear that" broke in
Crisp, ''just answer the question.
" Have you expressed any definite opin-
ioD concerning the guilt or innocence of
said Sherman, 81 told Joe Stovall this
wife killing business was getting to be
So" "Never mind that" cried Crisp
sharply, 'just answer the question"
and again he prOpounded the question
Said Sherman: "Any niger that will
come home drunk, as you might say,
and take pistol, or any other weepin', as
you might say" ''Look here" taun-
dered Judge Clark, ''do you think this
court can listen to you here all day?
Solicitor, ask it again." Judge Clark
was usually very quiet, but when he
was thoroughly aroused by any real or
fanci9d indignity to court he would
rage and storm like sea captain berat-
ing his sailors before the mast.
At this juncture Crisp, glancing in the
direction Of Hawkins and myself, and
seeing us cOnvulsed with laughter, sud
denly understood the situation and
awoke to a realization of the fact that
he was handling Uncle Billie. AS this
startling fact dawned upon Crisp's mind
he resolved to change his tactics. He
now exhibited his wonderful adaptable
ty to his environments and the singular
lty of his methods in overcoming obsta-
Giles. He now approached Uncle Billie
suavely, with smile as winning as Gu
pid's glance, and in those melifiuous
tones he knew how to assume so well
said: my friend, it is essential that
the court should have a direct answer to
the questions asked you; 1 know they
are difficult to answer, but | perceive
that you are man of sense and will not
delay the court if you can avoid it. Now,
caSH To %1,oG
Smith is guilty or that he vas innocent
of the murder, please 50 state; if, on the
contrary, you have said nothing about
the prisoners guilt or innocence then
so state. Now, my friend, have you ex-
pressed any definite opinion concerning
the guilt or innocence of the prisoner at
the bar?' Sherman, whose mouth
had never in all his life been
detiled by the utterapce of such vile
words as yes or no, looked first at the
solicitor general, then long and anxious
ly at the crowded court room, and then
glancing furtively at the irate judge,
who seemed ready to hurl at him a copy
of the forty-ffth Georgia reports,
blurted out in indignant tones. "Pve
never said word in no manner, shape
nor form about the prisoner at the bars
guilt or innocence, as you might say; but
| want you to understand"
That's sufficient" cried Mr.. Crisp,
immensely relieved, and glancing tri-
umphantly in our direction; ''now, Mr..
Sherman, please answer this: Are you
related by marriage or the ties of con-
sanguinity to the prisoner at the bar?''
'The ties of which?" said Uncle Billie.
The question was repeated to him. "Do
you mean am 1 kin to that nigger?''
said the equivocator. eyes, by blood or
marriage said Crisp benighly. "pm a
'AnglO-Sexton, l want you to under
stand; do look like nigger?" said
Sherman. "You most assuredly do not;
you look like respectable 'Anglo-Sex
ton,'" Crisp gravely replied. SWELL"
said Sherman, 81 want you to under
stand that when can not marry white
woman, as you might say" ''And |
want you to understand" roared Judge
Clark, elf you don't answer these ques-
tons I'll find way to make you, I'll
guarantee; now, are you, or are you not,
related by blood or marriage to the
prisoner at the bar; answer" Mr.. Sher-
man looked stolidly at the judge and
scornfully replied: eff any man on this
living continent was to ask me that thar
question outside of this here court house
| I'd"
cpl fine you $50 for contempt of court
and, Mr.. Sheriff, see that he pays it, +"
said the judge, white with passion eff
you come here to ridicule the court you'll
find it an expensive matter. Go on, Mr..
Crisp"
The solicitor-general, then assuming q