The age-herald., 1901-03-10
An Age.Herald Crap Game.

l Alexander PLUS, W1llie Marks and Tommy Diggns are charged with shoot ing craps" said Judge Feagin in the Police Court yesterday. What does Tommy, Alec and Willie say?"
 "we warnt shootin, Jedgee said Tom my; we were jest playin'."
 Playing craps is the same as shoot ing tnem" said the Judge. You cant play off such an excuse on me-"
 We warn't playin' off an excuse" said Tommy; i've were playin off a tie"
 Well it's your turn to play now" said the Judge. "The dice have turned up No. IS against you That is the number of your case. and a hard number to beat. You may be able to tie it, in which event I suppose you should be acquitted.
 'Judge, said a defendant, T wants ter gib my testimony"
 "Is 1t expert testimony"
 No sah. ain't expert Ise amer ous.''
 You mean an amateur, suppose" said the Judge. Were the other two defend ants good crappers?"
 ''De$s de best in de alley Judge. Dey raises good crap of nickels ebery time dey plays. works hard ter win, but I ain't bright enouf fur dem"
 "All work and no play makes Jack dull boy said the Judge Why don't you play with the other defendants in- stead of trying to work them?"
 II thought you said it was wrong to play craps, Judge,r said the defendant. "so did" said the Judge. "and I am proceeding wrong in hearing your evi. l r1,o Ia log I xxrtI1 hear you at last. Meanwhile I will hear what the prosecutor has to say"
 The prosecutor said that he worked at the AgeHerald, the back windows of whose building commanded a beautiful view of First Alley. That he could not resist the temptation to steal away from his work now and then to enjoy the view from the aforesaid back windows.
 "Never mind the back windows" said the Judge "They are now a back num- ber-proceed with the story.
 "If you have tears to shed prepare to shed them now" continued the prose- l cutor in dramatic manner.
 Stop a minute said the Judge. "I have no tears to shed. My tears are well conducted tears that go through a tear | duct. It's enough to make me weep, how ever, to see a minor like you quoting | Shakespeare.
 "Was that Shakespeare, Judge? I thought I was quoting Louis James," Well, MT. James was quoting Shakes peare and now you quote him. This is hearsay evidence entirely and I rule it out
 q saw the defendant playing Craps in the alley next to the Age-Herald build- ing" continued the prosecutor, "and fear ing it might damage the property. called policeman who broke up the game and arrested them.' | "Was he a game policeman?'
 "Yes, sir. He got right in the game without delay and bagged all three of the gamesters. They tried to sandbag him, but they had put all their sand in the bags and didn't leave enough for them selves, so they had heart failure and sur rendered."
 ''They were not like the old guard. who were so dyed in the wool they couldn't | surrender?'
 "No, sir. The defendants wool was black, but I don't think it was dyed"
 Did you recognize the defendants7'
 "Yes, sir. It was dark in the alley, but they all had shiny faces"
 "Dey war our foots shinin',' said a defendant "Wese all blootblacks, Jedge, an had shined our shoes so as ter see how ter play.
 "The Birmingham Electric Light Com pany has the contract for illuminating the darkness of the city," said the Judge, and you had no right to interfere with their business bootblack license does not authorize you to brighten thes alleys. The alleys should remain dark so the electric lights can be seen"
 q hope our Honor will not fine them for this.' said an officer. Their ways were dark if their feet were not"
 You mean they were lightfooted but not lightheaded," said the Judge.
 "They certainly were lightfooted Judge. I had hard work catching them" "Policemen catch a lot of things said the Judge. Have you caught the grippe yet?"
 ''No, sir. I haven't caught 1t, and haven't lost my grip. either. I can't cate dises ses-it is against the police regula- tions."
 'Ts that regulation strictly enforced?"
 
 "Yes, sir
 'I th'ok I would like to join the force," said the Judge, If it would prevent my cal ching the rheumatism"
 'Jedge, Your Honor, please sir femme say a word" said defendant.
 Are you the one who has been doing all the talking, or his understudy?" asked the Judge. You are all so much alike can't tell two out of the three"
 "No, sah. Ise de man what's innocent. | neber knowed dere was a game in Fust alley, an besides, it's my fust offense' "Jedge," said the third, q kin prove I war on de corner ob Nineteenth street an saw de officers go by on a rush"
 "Was it a canerush or bullrush?"
 No. sah It war a club rush. Dey all had clubs an went tergether." | Tt is not against the law to shoot the chute,'' said the Judge, nor even to shoot stars, provided they are wouid-be theatrical stars. It is sometimes permis- sible to shoot cop, but never within the sacred limits of Birmingham is 1t permis- sible to shoot craps - $5 all round please.'
 Grand Larceny By Petty Criminal. | Rather a light docket this morning ''