The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1910-06-23
DOWN IN TENNESSEE.

So. ---
Sim Bronson had been arrested fol
larceny. the charge being that ne stole
8 posSum and q steel trap, belonging
to Charles Washington. and. pursuant
to his demand, was being tried before
justice of the peace, by jury o1
six colored folks.
Washington. sworn, said: "Jedge,
sot trap near cohn fiel' side big
gum tree for to cotch er possum, whicl
all us colored folks need once i'll Ell
while. When l go ter see de trar
dere's possum sign eroun'. but de trap
am gone. en- see man tracks all er.
bout dat place.
"Jedge, sho' was mad | took dat
track like er houn an ,bymbye see
dis hyah 'fendant on % road, vii Ell
bag on his back. | done shook dat
Dag, iedge, an my trap an possum
/, trapped outn it.: De pOsSum i cal
5ut dere's de trap an heah's de man.
ledge, yoh honoh. OATS all goltel
say"
Washington stepped down and the
Jury looked solemn. 1t appeared bad
Dr the defendant, but lie was not Ii,
he least .downcast as he took The wit
nasS stand.
Desc hyah town. dudes" sid Jim.
,ointing to the complainant. at whom
everyone. in The court room gazed,
make me sick Dey low as how dey
Jwn ev'rything dat looks good to dem
Dey amt satisfy at home, but dey
come trapesing down heah acting big
CITY. tryin' ter put ober us cause we
Ill is country folks.
'Jedge, likes possum myself, but
hunt i'm wild er dawg and er torch
like er game sport oughter.
Eat night was shown er houn
pup how to folle- er trail. wren be III
.u;, an | knew lie an de u. "Unlai
I'd have e. Cossnm fer %:pl.r. J;;;sc,
j dess see dat possnm rite TO me In
de dish, all brown"
The jury became intensely interest
I'd at this point.
y shel my eyes an see dat pos sum
wid sweet 'taters all piled round him
jelge, and de gravy oozin'-not run
min, jedge-but jos a-ooain out'n de
skin. an, drippin'. drippin,, all ober dem.
sweet ''ta;ers. an er jug err
4 yell from staid member OF the
jury brought the recital to sudden
laCSe.
We'll. jeGge, 1 Jes' nacnetly took
after dat fool huon', but he was plum
out er hearin. so guy up an start
fur home De day was jes brcakin
when | see dis possum right TO ne
Den | look ergin, an | see he foot in
CT trap. Den | walk er way, cause
won't take no mans possum. jedge.
when git er lii way off, look
back, an dat lii poSsum he er sittin'
up holdin' oul his hans jes askin me
ter take him erlong. Den | say, Jim
you all amt goin let dat iii possum
Out hyah all be heself in de big
swamp, is yo? He don't belong 10 de
man what sot dat trap. He didn't
raise him. Dat man don't own de
land de trap am on. Possum he own
loss An den. jedge. l hol' my bag
in front da, possum an dat lii cuss
walk right in, trap an all. know
dat Trap long some man, but eff dat
iii possum done br"Mg If wifi him
into my bag. dat's no business oh
mine.
An jedge. dats de troof. | amt
touch dat trap. Dere i, is wild re pore
III possum's foot still in it. | aln't
got er smell Oh dat possum. an | ain't
stole nothin'."
The justice read the law as to wild
animals and explained the meaning or
larceny. and the jury. looking al each
other significantly. returned verdict
Of mot guilty" without leaving their
sealS.-George Romsey.