West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1900-03-15

Was the Fate OF an Old Negro Who
Knew the Judge.

prosecuting attorney sat down, an,
mopped his brow with a snow whit
twenty-four pound -four sack, h,
gazed triumphantly at the Judge an,
at the six-foot young lawyer, VIII,
represented old Sam, the prisoner
who was to be tried for stealing
young goat.
During the trial his eyes were Sc
on the judge. $40 de good Lore
from heben, il dat amt old Mar
Stephen" he had exclaimed wher
brought into the court room by tn,
deputy. and as he gave an old tim,
country grin, his mouth split from
ear to ear, showing his doubl,
set of ivorys that could have bit a
nail in too. He was so pleased a
the sight of the Judge on the bench,
that he never took his eyes off him,
but continued to grin. He paid
not the least attention to the testi.
money of witnesses, and laughed
scornfully when the six foot young
lawyer who had been appointed by
the court to represent him, poured
forth college rhetoric.
"Stop your foolin' dar," he said
TO the young lawyer. "My old
Mars Stephen is gwine to fix it all. "
Just then the Judge straighted
himself up and wiped his face
solemnly. Frhe prisoner is found
guilty as charged" he said. "Has
the prisoner at the bar anything to
say to show cause why he should
not be sentenced ?"
The stern and dignified look of
the court caused the old darkey's
face to fall, and as he stood up his
teeth came together like the Jaws of
steel trap, while his eyes sparkled
Win Indignation.
eyes, sir" he said, 81 has got
lots to say, and is gwine to say it
rite out. Now, look here, Mars
Stephen, you dun been knowed me
for more den fifty years, and is
knowed you ebber since you was
two hands high and you amt nebber
done muffin real mean in your whole
born days until while ago. Desc
here old cranks bring me in here,
and told me stole goat, but /
nebber did think nothing Of dat, and
you never did before till Jess now,
and has come here aftah plain
honest justice, and / thought / was
gwine to get it, case you was de
jedge. Now Mars Steven don't YOU
member dat | was your camp sar-
want durin' de war. Didn't use
ter hustle ter get grub fer you and
your mess when de bareback rations
got short, and didn't you use ter
smack your lips togedder ODER my
cookln' and say, "Sam de best
foreger in camp" Why | stole
chickens, and ducks, and turkeys
an pigs for you clean from Manassas
ter Appomattox, and you didn't
open your mouf agin it den, no sar,
you didn't an | wants ter know If il
wer foraging den, how come it's
stealin' now2 And don't you mem
Der, Mars Steven, dot one day you
come ter me and says: "Sam,
Tomorrow Thanksgiving an we must
have good spread" an didn't go
right out an steal two shotes, an
turkey an jug of ole rye And
didn't you vite your brudder officers
IN next day an order things jess
hugely an make 'em all open dar
eyes in 'stonishment? II all dis
were foraging durin' de war, how
come it stealin' nowa
"Now, Mars Steven, look ole
Sam in de face while / tell YOU
somethin' tuchin'. My ole woman
with six children here in a log cabin
behind dat mountain, an dey hadn't
had muffin ter eat for a week, so
when comes thrugh Mars Smiths
farm | spide little goat hung in de
fence an | makes up my mine ter
forage for de sake OBJ my family.
Now, Mars Steven yoo can't call
dat stelin' no how, case is gwine
ter pay Mars Smith back Jest as
soon as my ole SOW goat has kids.
"Now, knows you amt gwine
ter send your old camp servant to
de jail jest for dat, now, is you,
Mars Steven ?"
There was silence in the court
room for moment The old Con-
federate lawyers, who had Just
laughed at what the old darkey
said, were now very quiet. They
thought Of the trials, troubles and
hunger on their long marches from
Manassas to Appomattox; the stern
features Of the judge and common