Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1912-12-11
The Evening Story
THE TABLES
TURNED
By F. sTlEcER

VWuoES OA ms lumlly, was ~ GOOQ
man as ever lived. He had CRAWL
tated north late In life and was en-
tirely uneducated. In his southern
home he was known to bs above re-
proach; in his northern home. when
accused, he must take his chances like
other suspects. A diamond had been
lost which Silas was accused OF steal
ing. Indeed, the owner declared that
the stone was lying in room into
which Silas had gone to replace some
rugs he had been cleaning. The gem
was missed as soon as he came out
Of the room, and he was searched.
It was not found, and the owner be-
lieved that Siias had swallowed 1t.
Casey, the owner Of the missing
property, determined to brighten the
old man into confessing the theft.
Getting a few friends together in his
house, he appointed one to play the
part Of Judge. another to defend the
prisoner, while he set himself the part
Of prosecuting attorney. Silas had
never been charged with crime In his
life and, having never been in court
room, knew no more Of the organiza-
ton Of court than three-year-old
child.
+ "Silas venable," said the Judge SOL
EMMY. "you are accused of stealing
valuable diamond. Are you guilty
or not guiltyT'
Silas rolled his eyes about wildly
and said:
"Fo' de Lawd, jedge. don't know
nothin' about any dfmon'."
my client pleads not guilty" said
Jones, the prisoners counsel.
"Your honor" said Casey. II propose
to prove on behalf Of the state that the
prisoner stole the property and, being
suspected and accused before he could
get rid of 1t, swallowed It. intend to
look into the stomach Of the accused
and find out whether the lost gem Is
there"
How 20 gwine to look into my
stomach?" asked Silas, much fright
ened. "Yo' hain't gwine to put pipe
down my froat wild a candle in 1t, air
yo'f"
"Will your honor explain the x ray
process to the prisoner" asked the
prosecutor.
"Does 1t hurt, ledger" asked Silas.
mot at all. You won't feel 1t bit"
"All right. Go ahead" said the pris-
oner confidently.
His ready assent somewhat surprised
the court, who had supposed that there
was no doubt but that he had done the
fhnff nvvt tol- tn Ior lyy,
confidence for bluff. proceeded with
his plan. Producing pair Of binocu-
lars with scale for distance attached.
he affected to adjust the latter careful
~, then, putting them to his eyes, pre-
tended to look into the prisoners stom-
ach. Silas did not seem at all trou-
bled.
"What do you see, Mr.. CaseyT asked
the judge solemnly, while some Of
those present put their handkcrchiefs
to their faces to conceal their laughter.
II see first small bits Of chicken"
The expression on Silas face chang
ed at once. He looked badly fright
| ened.
II thought we would get at the
TRUTH" remarked the Judge, diving
into lawbook before him to preserve
his gravity.
"Fo' de Lawd, jedge." pleaded Silas.
II didn't steal dat chicken. bought
It,"
Bought chicken at 30 cents a
poundw exclaimed Casey.
mo, sab. Job Wilson he got a chick
en- roost, and he sold me dat chicken
cause give him some table garbage
was takin' from gen'leman's house
for de chickens. He didn't charge me
nothin' To- It."
what else do you see, Mr.. Casey?"
| asked the judge.
| II see little black spot about the
size Of my diamond"
do you see the diamond itself?"
Casey considered that to say he saw
the diamond would not be true or fair
| so he claimed only that he saw q
dark spot that might be diamond.
go de Lawd, Jedge," said the pris-
oner. "dat spot amt no drmon'. done
didn't steal it,"
| There was so much honesty In the
old negro's face that his accusers gave
up this third degree game, and
when his counsel demanded his dis
charge Casey assented.
would one OBJ de gentlemen object
to lookin' into Mr.. Casey's stomick ?"
asked Sllas.
Casey looked q bit annoyed. His
friends, anticipating more fun, demand
ed that the negro's request be granted.
Jones seized the binoculars and brought
them to bear on the new subject.
what do you expect to lnd in Mr.
Jones' stomach. SilasY' he asked.
Oysters"
Eyes, see oysters. What elseT'
| Lobster salad"
"Why. certainly. cannot only sec
the meat, but there's claw IN his
stomach"
when and WHERE" asked the judge
OF Silas. did Mr.. Casey eat the oysters
L ~, III