The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-11-07
THE TABLES
TURNED
By F. c. sTlEcER

Sias Venable, an old darby who
had taken his name from the former
owners of his family. was as good
man as ever lived. He had gravi-
tated north late in life and was en-
tirely uneducated. In his southern
home he was known to be 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 us he came out
of the room, and he was searched.
1t was not found. and the owner be-
lieved that Silas had swallowed It,
Casey. the owner Of the missing
property, determined to brighten the
old man into confessng 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 a three year-oId
child.
'Silas venable," said the judge sol
M linz
a valuable diamond. Are you guilty |
or not guilty?'
Silas rolled his eyes about wildly |
and said:
"Fo' de Lawd, jedge, | don't know
nothin' about any di'mon'."
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 it, swallowed it. / intend to
look into the stomach of the accused
and find out whether the lost gem is
there
How yo' gwine to look into my
stomach?" asked Sllas. much fright
ened "Yo' hain't gwine to put a pipe
down my froat wild candle in it, air
yo'|
"Will your honor explain the X ray
process to the prisoner" asked the
prosecutor.
Does 1t hurt. jedge?" asked Silas.
"Not at all. You won't feel it 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
theft. But Casey. taking the darky's
confidence for blum, proceeded with
his plan Producing pair of binocu-
lars with n scale for distance attached.
he affected to adjust the latter careful. F,
~. 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.. Casey?" asked
the judge solemnly. while some Of {
those present put their handkerchiefs /
to their faces TO conceal their laughter.
Il see first small bits of chicken" {
The expression on Sllas' face chang Il
ed at once. He looked badly fright
ened.
81 thought we would get at the
truth. remarked the judge. diving /,
INTO lawbook before him to preserve 9
his gravity. n
''Fo' de Lawd jedge." pleaded Silas, a
4 didn't steal dat chicken. bought n
l." :.
Bought chicken at 30 cents a
,oundr' exclaimed Casey.
mo, sab. Job Wilson he got a chick
N roost. and he sold me dat chicken
cause / give him some table garbage u
was takin from genleman's house IN
or de chickens He didn't charge me n
lothin' 70 it. N
What else do you see. Mr.. Caseyy" M
sked the judge. y,
Il see a little black spot about the W
ize Of my diamond" u.
DO you see the diamond itselfs" N
Casey considered that to Say he saw w
be diamond would not be true or fair. ca
o he claimed only that be saw
lark spot that might be a diamond
''Fo' de Iawd. jedre- said the pris
ner. dat spot Amt no drmon. done n
idnt steal IT. s.
There was SO much honesty in the =
ID nerro's face that bis accusers gave hi