The herald., 1913-01-23
THE TABLES
TURNED
By F. C. STlEGER

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 a 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.
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 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 a court than q three-yearNid
child
"Silas Venahle." said the judge sol
EMMY. you are accused of stealing
a valuable diamond. Are you guilty
or not guilty.
Silas rolled his eyes about wildly
end said:
"Fo' de Lawd, jedge. l 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 ii. swallowed 1t. | 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 Silas, much fright
ened. "Yo' hain't gwine to put pipe
down my froat wild a candle in it, air
yo';"
"Will your honor explain the Y ray
process to the prisoner?" asked the
prosecutor.
"Does it hurt. jedgeT" 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 bluff, proceeded with
his plan. Producing a pair of binocu
lars with a 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.. Casey" asked
the judge solemnly, while some Of
those present put their handkerchiefs
to their faces to conceal their laughter
81 see first small bits Of chicken"
The expression on Silas' face chang
ed at once. He looked badly fright
ened.
Il thought we would get at the
truth" remarked the judge, diving
into a lawbook before him to preserve
his gravity.
"Fo' de Lawd. jedge," pleaded Silas
II didn't steal dat chicken. l bought
It."
Bought chicken at 80 cents a
pound" exclaimed Casey.
mo, sab. Job Wilson he got chick
en- roOst, and he sold me dat chicken
cause l give him some table garbage
l was takin' from n gen'leman's house
for de chickens. He didn't charge me-
nOthin' 70 it."
What else do you see. Mr. Casey"
asked the judge.
Il see a 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 a
dark spot that might be diamond.
"Fo' de Lawd, jedge," said the priS
oner, 'dat spot amt no di'mon'. | 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 Silas.
Casey looked a 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 find in Mr..
Jones' stomach, SilasT' he asked.
"Oysters."
"Yes, see oysters. What elseY
Lobster salad"
"Why, certainly. 1 cannot only see
the meat, but there's a claw In his
stomach"
when and where" asked the Judge
Of Silas, "did Mr.. Casey eat the oysters
and the lobster"
well, jedge," Silas replied, II war
gwine past chophouse yesterday, and
/ saw de gentleman havin' a supper
with yo' wife"
There was CONSERVATION In the court.
and at the same time Mrs. Casey, who
had been listening at keyhole, came
In to say that she had found the miss
ing diamond In her jewel box.
The court adjourned amid much en-
barrassment and some suppressed
snickering.